Furbabies are Family and Want to Be With Us

When we walk into the garage and open the car door, the dogs jump in. If we are packing the RV, the have different ways of responding, but they both make it clear they are ready to travel. Cisco jumps up the steps and becomes a permanent fixture in the front window until it is time to drive away. Dagney attaches herself to my side to make sure we don't forget to take her along. Because they are family, there are few times we do not include them into our travel plans. 

Cisco sits on the dash, not patiently, while we pack the motorhome. He observes everything we do. 

Dogs are a responsibility. They take time and energy, but they give back so much more. Our dogs simply make me happy as any dog parent will understand. Randy took this picture of me as we traveled down the road. I didn't know I was being photographed at the time but I love it! 

Most of the time I don't even notice when the pups move into thier positions. They stealthly creep up one at a time. Then when I look down there they are curled up and content. Our bond reminds me the importance of giving my heart away reinforcing the saying, "The love in your heart wasn't meant there to stay. Love isn't love until you give it away."

Though we don't talk about our emotional attachments with the pups, Randy's face when he holds the pups, shows he feels the same way. I remember when I mentioned to Randy that it might be time to get another dog. He looked at me skeptically but over time began to warm to the idea. When we went "to look" he melted and Dagney came home with us. Six years later Cisco joined the family.

One of the greatest assets of traveling with Dagney and Francisco is that we have to walk them. Yes, I realize that is a contradictory statement. It is an assest that we have to walk them. Randy and I have even been know to moan, complain, and attempt to coerce the other to harness them up, grab a leash, and take on the task. However, everytime it is my turn I am thankful for the opportunity. 

When they see the leashes, Dags barks and turns in circles; Cisco stands by the door and whines - so cute. Thinking about how excited they are makes me happy. Ultimately, we often both decide to go for a walk together. During our family strolls, we get to enjoy the weather. In the picture below we were staying in an campground in Virginia. The leaves were changing color and the path weaved through nature allowing us to enjoy the environment. 

If we hadn't gone for these walks we would have missed so much: the leaves, the purple mushroom, the birds, the deer and the simple artifacts of nature that create it's beauty. 

That evening we built a fire and were sitting under the stars when we noticed Cisco in the window. We thought he would be more comfortable in the RV, curled in his blanket. His face told us otherwise. Randy went inside to retrieve him and Dagney jumped into his hands. When he returned with both of the dogs, the family was complete and life was good.

The first time I heard the phrase "fur babies," I gigled but now I get it. They are our babies to cuddle, care for, and cherish. If you have a fur baby of your own, you get it.

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