Like a walk through the country side living on a small farm is full of daily surprises, sometimes wonderful and amazing, and other times puzzling and sad. I hope you will walk with me as I live out my dream of living on this tiny farm. You will come to know the dogs, cats, Shetland sheep and chickens that make up this farm and what goes into keeping them happy and healthy. Come and join the journey with me.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Sunday Afternoon Drive

For years I drove a small pickup that had room for the driver and passenger and that was about it. This pretty much let out taking excursions with the dogs. Even one moderate size collie would take up the passenger seat and spill over into the drivers lap. There were one or two times that I would put one collie in the seat, and one in the floorboard (on pillows) for a drive to the vet or groomers--but it wasn't a pretty sight. After getting the moose, er, Boone it was pretty much a given that one dog was the maximum. Back 'in the day' when I had my first two collie girls, Hanna and Mara, and little Nicky the Pom, we did allot of adventuring around in my old AMC Concord wagon. I've really missed being able to do that, so when my old truck died, I wanted to get the extended cab version so I'd have 'options'.

Finally over a year after getting the truck, I decided to take the dogs for a Sunday afternoon drive! What fun! What work! First they had to get brushed and powdered and fluffed so they'd smell good and look pretty. Then I had to clean out my truck and put sheets all over everything. After that I had to make sure I had plastic sacks and paper towels (in case someone got sick!) and plastic ziplocs in case someone had to poo at the park. Yep, we were going to the park! Way out here in the middle of the country even.

If you take the back roads from my place there is a very well known state park about five miles away --it's a trout fisherman's paradise and quite heavily 'tourist-ed' in the summer months.

Boone hadn't been out and about since all his vet appointments the first year he was here, so it was time to let the big boy see the world. Ariel hadn't been out for years either, except to the groomers and vets. If anyone recalls the last time I loaded Boone in the truck for the vet's appointment it was a horrible ordeal trying to get him up in the seat. This time he got loaded into the extended cab area behind the seat. Just enough room for a big slobbery dogue. He did remarkabley well, and was eager to get in, with just a little help from me, so I guess he just couldn't cope with the height of the front seat. Ariel got lifted into the front seat, where she sat sprawled across hers and part of my seat--stiff as a board.

So...here we go! Buckle your seatbelt!
Ariel is a little apprehensive.....


Boone is allot apprehensive....


Headed down into the valley..see how green everything still is?

The road winds up and down the hills and hollers, heading for the river

What would be a trip to a trout fishing park be without a picture of the trout?

Here Boone and Ariel (still a little apprehensive) pose in the little rock shelter that sits over the river

After a short, but successful stroll in the park we head back home

I love how this tree arches over the road

Boone was wiped out, and had to take a dip in the pool when we got home

Ariel was ready to go again!

All in all it was a good trip, short and sweet, without too many stresses for sheltered dogs! I picked an area of the park that had very few people (hard to find), so that we were able to just unload, wander about, and then head back to the truck. I hope to be able to do trips like this more often, particularly as the weather cools and fall sets in. The dogs will get more relaxed and it'll become more enjoyable for them. Next time we might even pick a spot with people.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice pictures!

Unknown said...

I grew up with a collie for 16 yrs...wonderful dogs! I have had 4 Newfoundlands over the past 14 yrs, having lost my last 3 yrs ago. There is nothing like having a big dog in your life...their humor can only be appreciated by truly living w/them & to understand drool is...well you just have to experience it! I loved taking the ride w/you & the dogs! Great Post!

Pat in east TN said...

Sounds like you had a nice day of it and what neat pictures. I had to laugh about what you went through just getting your truck 'prepared' and all the other goodies one must take along for a simple ride with pups. :o)

I swore that when we got our baby Boxer we'd take him for rides ... mmmm, hasn't happened yet, as he's only been to the vet a few times and to the kennel, which we refer to as 'the spa', as it makes him feel important ?, HA!, twice for overnights.

Nancy K. said...

you are so wonderful! I'm glad that Boone found you.

Vicki Lane said...

Tammy -- Thanks for taking us along on your ride. Great pictures!

Kristi, re drool -- we had two Old English Mastiffs once and I would sometimes find several inches of drool hanging from a table edge and dried to a fragile little droolcicle.
As you say there's nothing like a big dog -- I miss mine, drool and all

Sharrie said...

I have two tri rough collies. Your dog looks like one of the litter that my female was from. In fact I think her mother is a merle. You have some lucky dogs.

Kathy said...

Oi! Now I understand why my mother grimiced at the mention of a Sunday drive with Dad when we were kids! :)

It looks like you had a ball! Thanks for taking the time to share with those of us who sit home...