HOME is where the DOG is!

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions,
they pass no criticisms." ~ George Elliot

As we travel along the road, we meet all kinds of people. There are tall people, little people, fat people, skinny people. Whether we like them or not has nothing to do with size or shape. We also see all breeds of dogs. There are tiny dogs, hairy dogs, robust dogs, medium dogs, large dogs and huge dogs. Size doesn't determine whether we like them or not either.

Where is the dividing line between a little person and a big person? Is it 5', is it 5'8" or is it 6'? And, with the same thought, where is the division between dogs. When does a dog become a small breed, a medium breed or a large breed? The AKC has it pretty well defined. What is the chance that any of you are going to go up to some individual and say to them .."You're certainly a big person"? Hopefully, the chance is close to zero. Then, why in the world do we occasionally get from an RV'er "that's certainly a big dog." It gets annoying and I'd like someone to come up with the perfect comment back. I just can't think of anything halfway nice that makes a point.

Our dog is a Doberman. We travel with one 62 pound, 8-year old Doberman. Honestly, she's not going to bite you ... well, unless you bite me first! (That's a joke.) The AKC classes it as a medium breed. We have met folks with two, three and four dogs. We have met many folks traveling with beautiful labs and other dogs that are larger than ours. I think it's great that they take their "children" with them. Our "pets" are our family and the last thing we're going to do is give them away so we can travel. I do realize that some folks are afraid of any dog, let alone a dog over 20 pounds. They have a comfort level with small dogs. However, the little dogs are the barkers and the heel nippers. Terry always says he hasn't met a dog he didn't like but not so for people.

My brain doesn't work fast enough when folks say things. I think I'm shocked first at what comes across as rudeness. Oh, it's not just the words it's the tone or action. I remember one park we were at in Yuma last year. Pets were allowed (we always check first) and I was checking in. A very large woman (very large in my opinion -- 350 pounds-ish??) was working the counter at the resort. When asked I told her the weight of our dog. She laughed and made some comment about a big dog traveling. I kept still and didn't say what I was thinking. We just drove away.

What I do dislike are the individuals in RV parks that believe that when walking their dog away from their own site that their dog does not have to be on a leash. Or, those that believe that they do not have to pick up after their dogs. Well, maybe I can't say I don't necessarily dislike the individuals but I do dislike what they do. There are no rules when boondocking in the wide open spaces but in tight spaces of the RV park folks can't move away.

Dogs are welcome in our "home" because we have a dog. It's our dog's home too. Dogs not on leashes are not welcome to walk across our RV patio while out walking with owners we do not know just as we hope people we don't know won't walk through our patio either. But, if you're here to visit, you're welcome to bring your family members too. Our son has a Great Dane and he visits too.

Our home is where Duchess is.