Guides Show Us How to Visit. Dogs Show Us How to Live It.
We tend to think of cities as skylines. Grand monoliths and monuments which stretch to the heavens but still conveniently fit on a postcard. Or in a selfie, as it were. We cannot possibly know an entire metropolis, so we use landmarks to summarize the experience. That’s why you should follow a guidebook if you want to visit a city.
But what if you want to know what it’s like to live in a city? In that case – follow a dog. Dogs are not welcome in many of the places you might visit as a tourist, but you'll always find them at the locals' favorite spots.
We tend to think of cities as skylines. Grand monoliths and monuments which stretch to the heavens but still conveniently fit on a postcard. Or in a selfie, as it were. We cannot possibly know an entire metropolis, so we use landmarks to summarize the experience. That’s why you should follow a guidebook if you want to visit a city.
But what if you want to know what it’s like to live in a city? In that case – follow a dog. Dogs are not welcome in many of the places you might visit as a tourist, but you’ll always find them at the locals’ favorite spots.
Last week we hosted my mom and Auggie, her Old English Sheepdog, and enjoyed the beach every day with the pups.
It was Auggie and Zero’s first time meeting and they wasted no time playing catch up, but spent plenty of time playing catch-me-if-you-can.
There were no landmarks and not a slice of Chicago-style pizza in sight. But my mom and Auggie didn’t seem to mind.
We love when friends and family come to visit, but it’s always more fun when they decide to live it!
ok is that your Mom in the pic with Auggie and Zero? My god she doesn’t look old enough to be your Mom…….seriously. Good genes in your family. Love the pics of all the pups playing and of Zero making friends with Auggie.
Looks like tt was a perfect weekend to host your mom and Auggie. We always enjoy when friends or family visit and bring their pets for our two kids to have fun visiting with their four-legged companions. Plus it leaves us more time to visit with our two-legged companions ‼️ (p.s. how much of a head-start did your mom need to beat Penny, Zero and Auggie in that race?)
What pawsome racing smiles the ‘3 amigos’ have! Clearly you are all having a good visit. My goodness, I think I see from where you get your dimples. 🙂 Enjoy the dogs’ view and visit.
Love the pictures of the motley crew.Zero is growing up to be such a handsome young man and Penny’s queenly expression in the group photo is priceless.
That must have been a most PAWSOME visit. What a great way to spend time. No surprise that Auggie and Zero became best buds because who can resist romping fun?! Loved seeing the pictures!
Haha, she’s probably going to kill me for putting a photo of her on the blog but your comment might just save me – thank you!
Penny looks like a meerkat guarding while the others forage. Yes, they are a motley crew. I can’t wait to be entertained by Zero. Penny has taken the lead. She had the best teacher. Eko lives on in her and you. Best wishes Will.
Exactly. The pups so thoroughly exhausted each other that by the time we got home they might have well been pieces of furniture. As for “winning” the race? The key is to start 100 yards behind the pups and then run in the opposite direction
We’re back to just two dogs now and it seems quite pedestrian. After all the running he got, Auggie may still be sleeping.
Took a bit of cajoling for that photo, but luckily after an hour of romping the pups were pretty cooperative.
I find that fast friends are best made at fast speeds.
Motley Crew is right! Not the crew we once had or once expected, but the best group we could ever ask for.
LOL, no doubt, but surely he’s dreaming of fun times with his ‘cousins.’
You have that right for sure; your posts are a great guide to living “real”y
There’s always waaaaaaay more hope and humor than most print and picture posts and for that we are grateful.
We travel often with our pups, and have traded hotels with a trailer. It limits us in ways that we have come to realize are not important. We don’t go to many larger cities but have found the pure joy of camping at a beach. Hanging out with the aspens.
The dogs keep us enjoying the simple things in life as we are aging and that simplicity is something we crave.
Sightseeing is fun and necessary sometimes, but the best way to travel is to experience living in the place with people who do live there. You all did it up right!
HAHAHAHA!
It can take a while to figure out, but it’s often limits which set you free. And as you say, there’s no better companion than our dogs for enjoying the simple things.
Agreed. I love playing tourist sometimes, but it’s always fun to toss the guidebook and live like a local.
WHAT!!??? That’s your MOM!!!????? She looks like a KID!!!! OMG she is sooooooooo pretty! I can see where you get your good looks from! And…I cannot get over how BIG Auggie has gotten! Oh what a FUN time!!!!!!! So much joy in those photos, this is just fabulous!
Those visitors must think Chicago is very sandy.
what a great post !!! I agree, country dogs need city dogs to find the places where they are welcome:o) Phenny had only me and mark as city-scouts in pawris, but he made the best of it ;o)
I bet when Auggie left the beach, he weighted tens pounds heavier. I so love the nice light coats on Ridgies, although Khoi still mananges to bring the river home with him every time. You should have seen the amount of sand under our couch cushions
How often are your pups suffering a bath? Do the cousins suffer the same fate?
Is there a line for the shower at your house, do you have a Laundromutt in your city?
We love to get dirty! But we will withhold love on bath days!!!
Love, Jo, Sam and Dean
Great photo line up but love that last shot with Penny “smiling” as she is running – hilarious. Have to say though….. that’s your Mom! She looks amazing and young enough to be your sister!
You are also giving me good cred with my mom, much appreciated!
Some of the best parts certainly are.
When you travel with your dog, I’ve found you’re never without friends for very long. We’ve been welcomed to a lot of different cities by a lot of great people/pups.
I have no idea how my mom (or anyone with long-haired dogs) manages it. I complain about a quick towel down of Penny after she covers herself in sand, but it’s a full-time gig trying to shake it all loose from Auggie.
Between the sloughing sand and frequent dips in the lake, my guys can easily go close to a month sometimes without needing a bath. Just a quick rubdown and a bit of light brushing usually do. Auggie however? I don’t even want to know.
You are welcome in her home anytime!
haha!
OH I love that last photo of the three youngsters cutting loose at the beach park! I bet in the photo with Doc in the lineup – he was thinking ” Yeah he put in between the young ones to make sure we get a photo quick!” LOL Great photo of your Mom too!
What a glorious time!!!!
What a grand time!!!
That’s how it’s done. Living every single moment like a boss! #doglife
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Looks like a whole lot of fun was had by ALL!
Hugs, Pam and the Boys
That last picture is so great 🙂 Love it !