Memorial Day Dogs
So, we are still on our trip from Arizona to Maine with the dogs. So far--knock on wood-- the trip has been blessedly unevently in terms of the dogs, no bee stings, skunk sprays, or bear sightings!
After spending 18 months in the Arizona desert, I had forgotten about skunks! One night at about 3am, I was asleep in bed and Jack was up working. I was awakened by the really strong smell of skunk. I popped out of bed and yelled to Jack,"Make sure you out the dogs on a leash if you let them out tonight." Since he stays up late a lot, he often lets them out in the middle of the night for a little night walk, they love it, but night time is dangerous for dogs, so always use a leash.
You know, sometimes you just stumble across a campground that is great for dogs, even thought they don't really advertise it. The KOA in Buckeye Lake, OH, just outside of Columbus is just such a campground. Here is a photo of their monumentally large dog pen...
Over the memorial Day week-end they had dog grooming, a doggie contest, a doggie parade, and K-9 Olympics! They actually had more dog events than child events---my kind of campground.
The other nice thing about this campground is that there is plenty of open space to walk your dog in the pimitive camping areas. Just don't tell them that I told you that!
Joplin, MO KOA
Sometimes, a campground is just too nice for both humans and dogs. That was the case for us in Joplin, MO at the KOA. When we got there, we got a site way in the back, where it was open around our RV (read we could get satellite reception and sun) and the woods were all around us. The minute we got to this KOA, the dogs went crazy. They were rolling around on the grass within a microsecond. Then, they discovered the gorgeous path through the woods which was a designated pet path.
So, we stayed a second day.
On the second day, I took pictures of the geese in the big pond in the middle of the campground. While the dogs ran along the edge and went in occasionally, no swimming though, it is for widllife like turtles and geese. Then, I rescued a baby turtle from the road and put it back in the pond. I can't remember the last time I have seen a baby turtle before this time.
So, we stayed another day.
On the third day, I was walking the dogs along the edge of the woods and two white-tailed deer came out to the edge, looked at us, and silently bounded back into the woods.
Now, the weird thing about this campground was that it was near the highway between two truck stops, but it really was quiet and peaceful. And, make sure you have Frontline tick repellent on your dogs when traveling in these parts.
Finally, on the fourth day, with regrets, we filled up on propane and left.
We are in Ohio now, more about that later, but Joplin is still on my mind and my dogs minds.
Julee
So, we stayed a second day.
On the second day, I took pictures of the geese in the big pond in the middle of the campground. While the dogs ran along the edge and went in occasionally, no swimming though, it is for widllife like turtles and geese. Then, I rescued a baby turtle from the road and put it back in the pond. I can't remember the last time I have seen a baby turtle before this time.
So, we stayed another day.
On the third day, I was walking the dogs along the edge of the woods and two white-tailed deer came out to the edge, looked at us, and silently bounded back into the woods.
Now, the weird thing about this campground was that it was near the highway between two truck stops, but it really was quiet and peaceful. And, make sure you have Frontline tick repellent on your dogs when traveling in these parts.
Finally, on the fourth day, with regrets, we filled up on propane and left.
We are in Ohio now, more about that later, but Joplin is still on my mind and my dogs minds.
Julee
Big Trip Issues
So, we got ready to take the annual trip in our motorhome from Arizona to Maine a few weeks ago. It took a full two weeks to get all of the stuff we needed and to do all of the maintenance. And, of course, since I write regularly about RVing with Dogs, I was pretty smug about how well I had packed for the dogs. I had bought vast quantities of Frontline and Heartguard, I had gone to Petsmart and bought two 40 lb bags of dog food, new dog tags, and kitty litter, cat food and insulin (for the cats). Then I went to the vet and bought 2 40lb bags of Prescription dog food. So, I was ready.
The day we were getting ready to leave, we were all set. Jack had done all of the maintenance required. He had bought new windshield wipers, changed the oil, added anti-freeze and transmission fluid, checked the tires, changed the air conditioning filters, and much more. I had spent a week cleaning desert dust out of every nock and cranny. So, we were happy and ready to go. Our toad vehicle was pretty packed with big stuff like ladders and lawn chairs, and other assorted RV things.
Just before we turned on the engine, Jack went outside and sprayed the slides with slide lubricant. So, when we started to pull out, I told Jack that I smelled gasoline. He assured me that it was the slide lubricant that I smelled. However, I was my usually persisent self, so I said, no, it is definitely gasoline. So, he humored me and went outside to check the engine, only to find to his horror that gasoline was spraying everywhere.
"Get out and get the dogs out", he said.
So, in 98 degrees, I promptly, opened the door and rushed out with the dogs. Now, our dogs don't require a leash, but we always use them. But, in my hurry, I left the leashes behind. So...
There I was with two dogs, in 98 degrees, with no shade, no leashes, no car keys, and a car that was too packed to put them in.
My first thought was, now this is really ridiculous, you should have put an extra set of leashes in the car. My second thought was, the dogs are going to get too hot really fast, and my third thought was, I hope Jack doesn't blow up. Well, maybe not quite in that order.
So, to make a long story short, it was a very minor problem which was easily fixed and I got the dogs back in the RV in about 10 minutes.
HOWEVER, I now have two extra leashes in the car.....
We are in Missouri now, stay tuned.
The day we were getting ready to leave, we were all set. Jack had done all of the maintenance required. He had bought new windshield wipers, changed the oil, added anti-freeze and transmission fluid, checked the tires, changed the air conditioning filters, and much more. I had spent a week cleaning desert dust out of every nock and cranny. So, we were happy and ready to go. Our toad vehicle was pretty packed with big stuff like ladders and lawn chairs, and other assorted RV things.
Just before we turned on the engine, Jack went outside and sprayed the slides with slide lubricant. So, when we started to pull out, I told Jack that I smelled gasoline. He assured me that it was the slide lubricant that I smelled. However, I was my usually persisent self, so I said, no, it is definitely gasoline. So, he humored me and went outside to check the engine, only to find to his horror that gasoline was spraying everywhere.
"Get out and get the dogs out", he said.
So, in 98 degrees, I promptly, opened the door and rushed out with the dogs. Now, our dogs don't require a leash, but we always use them. But, in my hurry, I left the leashes behind. So...
There I was with two dogs, in 98 degrees, with no shade, no leashes, no car keys, and a car that was too packed to put them in.
My first thought was, now this is really ridiculous, you should have put an extra set of leashes in the car. My second thought was, the dogs are going to get too hot really fast, and my third thought was, I hope Jack doesn't blow up. Well, maybe not quite in that order.
So, to make a long story short, it was a very minor problem which was easily fixed and I got the dogs back in the RV in about 10 minutes.
HOWEVER, I now have two extra leashes in the car.....
We are in Missouri now, stay tuned.
Labels: cross-country, dogs, rv, vacation
Costco recalls dog food
KIRKLAND, Wash. (May 15, 2007) - Kirkland-based Costco has announced the recall of one of its pet foods after the manufacturer announced that it contained rice protein that may be contaminated.
American Nutrition says the rice protein concentrate in Costco's "Kirkland Signature Lamb and Rice canned dog food" may contain melamine, an industrial chemical that was found in other recently recalled pet foods. The chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers may be harmful to animals if eaten.
The dog food is sold as part of the Kirkland Signature Premium Dog Food 2-Flavor Variety Pack, item #38436, with a specific code on the package that reads, "Best if used by Apr 15 09."
Costco is asking customers to stop using this food immediately and return it to any Costco warehouse for a full refund.
For more information call American Nutrition at 800-257-4530.
American Nutrition says the rice protein concentrate in Costco's "Kirkland Signature Lamb and Rice canned dog food" may contain melamine, an industrial chemical that was found in other recently recalled pet foods. The chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers may be harmful to animals if eaten.
The dog food is sold as part of the Kirkland Signature Premium Dog Food 2-Flavor Variety Pack, item #38436, with a specific code on the package that reads, "Best if used by Apr 15 09."
Costco is asking customers to stop using this food immediately and return it to any Costco warehouse for a full refund.
For more information call American Nutrition at 800-257-4530.
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