Travels with Tootsie
We have been taking road trips with Tootsie since she was six months old and it is always an adventure.
When we first started taking her along, she was in her cage in the back seat. Now the princess sits on my lap in the back seat while hubby drives all by himself in the front seat.
There is so much you must remember to bring--her pillow, her bed, her towel, her yummies, her food, her water. She has her own bag for all her necessities with her own packing list to make sure nothing is forgotten.
We have learned not to bring out her toys in the motel room, however, since she then wants to bark and play. We do however bring a white noise machine to block out noise from the hall and to be a reassurance since it is the same sound she sleeps to at home.
Dog-Friendly has a different definition for each motel. We particularly like La Quinta because it is usually pretty nice and does not charge for dogs. But individual motels can differ from the party line. We stayed at one La Quinta where we had to sign a paper promising not to let the dog up on the bed--Sure, Right! It is hard to sleep with the dog if it is not allowed on the bed! Other motels advertise that they are dog-friendly but can charge up to $50 per pet!
Somehow hubby is always willing to stop to give Tootsie a break. I used to have to beg for a stop! Tootsie is always afraid she is going to be left in the car so she begins screaming as soon as the car slows down. We get very strange looks at rest stops!
Getting into the car with her can also be difficult because she wants to be on my lap even before I can sit down. It is an interesting maneuver to get in and then get both my and Tootsie's seatbelts attached.
The best clothes to wear light-colored cotton--nothing black or polyester because of all the white hair one little dog can shed!
In warm weather, there is no going into restaurants and leaving the dog in the car. We pack lunches and eat as we drive.
We have favorite walks with Tootsie in all the cities we regularly visit for Civil War shows. We enjoy walking in a nice old neighborhood in Richmond, the Battery in Charleston, and an old train track that has been turned into a walking path in Mansfield, Ohio. The walks also help with getting a good night's sleep in motels.
Travels with Tootsie are usually fun but rainy days are my least favorite. Wet dogs do have a distinct odor!
But she always goes along!
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