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#1
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We're baaaack (long)
Toby and I got back Sunday from our trip to the wilds of upstate New
York. He had absolutely a marvelous time, and I'm so glad I went and took him with me. He was a little nervous when we left, but that's because I had to stop at the vet's on the way out of town and pick up a prescription for him. Once he realized we weren't going to *stay* there, or even see a doctor, he was fine, and relaxed. He slept a good bit of the way up. We stopped at a Burger King near Thurmont, MD, where he got to bark at the drive-thru attendant (fierce dangerous thing that she was--laughing so hard she could barely hand me my order) and we walked along the grass at the back of the parking lot, between that and the fence to the highway. Toby drank some water and ate part of a plain hamburger I'd ordered for him, without the bread. He thought a picnic was the best thing ever. We stopped every hour or so in order for him to get something to drink and to pee, if he needed to (and he always did, of course). The only time I got to pee was at a rest stop somewhere off I-81 in Pennsylvania. Hertz had given me two keys for the car, so I put Toby in his den, left the car running with the A/C going and the doors locked, was careful to park near other dog people, and literally ran in and out so that I wasn't gone for more than about a minute. We checked in to the Holiday Inn in downtown Ithaca, and then immediately went over to the house where a bunch of the people had gathered...Gwendolyn, the organizer of the gathering, had fallen in love with Toby when she visited me in DC a few months ago, and begged me to bring him right over. He wandered in calmly and went around sniffing everyone's legs, and then started doing the circle-and-sniff thing with her dog Nicholas, a dachshund--Toby was fascinated to see a dog shorter than he is. They got along very well, and (for the most part) Toby got along well with the people there. He did not seem to think long dark pants were appropriate in July, though. The next morning, the hotel called to tell me they'd gotten a complaint about the dog*s* in my room (apologetically: "We're not actually sure it's coming from your room" but I was). I made arrangements for Toby to spend the afternoon at Gwendolyn's, playing with Nicholas. He was much calmer the remaining days in the hotel, so I didn't have to do that after that...he learned that not all of the noises in the hall were things coming to get us. Toby got to meet a great number of people who had been hearing about him, including Melinda. He got to sit in the Ithaca Commons, holding court, barking at other dogs, but mostly just sitting at my feet and watching people go by. I did discover that a father taking his little girl down off of his shoulders appears particularly threatening to Toby, though! I took him pretty much everywhere with me except restaurants, and skipped a couple of events that I couldn't take him to so that we could have some quiet time back in the hotel room. The rest of the week we spent at my friend's house in Pavilion, NY. It's the first time Toby has ever been anywhere with two floors, so the first time I went upstairs without him, he circled around through the downstairs looking for me...then suddenly he stopped at the bottom of the stairs and realized that they actually *went* someplace, and trotted on up to find me. He got to bark at kitties (my friend has three, who didn't put in much of an appearance while Toby was there!) and walk all over her yard, which fascinated him...I think I have all of the burrs out of his fur. On the trip home, he just curled up and went to sleep right away, waking up whenever I stopped, or sometimes just sitting there enjoying the ride. He got really excited when he realized we were getting close to home, and was glad to see Fidget and David--David was very glad to see Toby, but Fidget was somewhat less so. I wish I'd done this with Toby last year, while he was still healthy, so that I could think of doing it again. Alas, this is his final trip. But we both had a marvelous time. He got to spend almost all of his time with me (my friend Leslie remarked "He's absolutely content as long as you're in sight") and didn't have to share me with another dog. And because we were not in his territory, he didn't feel it necessary to defend it, so it was almost like having a normal dog for a week (he still felt it necessary to defend *me* from random people). I'm probably not going to try to read all of the 2000+ postings that are waiting for me, I have too much else to catch up on. But I wanted to drop a note to let people know we were back and that Toby is still going strong. I hope that continues for a long time, but if we end up having to take him to be put down next week, at least I will know that he had one really happy special week. -- Kevin Michael Vail | Dogbert: That's circular reasoning. | Dilbert: I prefer to think of it as no loose ends. http://www.vaildc.net/kevin/ |
#2
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Lovely, Kevin. A memory for a lifetime.
Hugs to Toby ...... well, Fidget, too, I guess. Just because humans are slow and can't smell or hear very well doesn't mean they don't possess a primitive type of intelligence. |
#3
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Kevin wrote:
snip I wish I'd done this with Toby last year, while he was still healthy, so that I could think of doing it again. Alas, this is his final trip. But we both had a marvelous time. He got to spend almost all of his time with me (my friend Leslie remarked "He's absolutely content as long as you're in sight") and didn't have to share me with another dog. And because we were not in his territory, he didn't feel it necessary to defend it, so it was almost like having a normal dog for a week (he still felt it necessary to defend *me* from random people). I enjoyed reading about your trip... but this part put a lump in my throat. May sunrises brighten your days..and evening stars your nites. Toby has good dads..and a stinker for a brother ;-} ~misty N~Zelda |
#4
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Kevin Michael Vail said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:
I wish I'd done this with Toby last year, while he was still healthy, so that I could think of doing it again. Alas, this is his final trip. But we both had a marvelous time. This was a great story. I'm glad that you decided to do the trip with him. -- --Matt. Rocky's a Dog. |
#5
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Subject: We're baaaack (long)
From: Kevin Michael Vail Date: 7/14/03 8:34 PM Pacific Daylight Time He had absolutely a marvelous time, and I'm so glad I went and took him with me. Oh, me, too, Kevin. What a wonderful and very special memory you and he shared. So happy he felt well while gone and that you're both back safe and sound. Missed you! Deb Shi the Survivor Georgie the Kid-Snarker |
#6
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On 14 Jul 2003, Kevin Michael Vail opined:
Toby and I got back Sunday from our trip to the wilds of upstate New York. He had absolutely a marvelous time, and I'm so glad I went and took him with me. Cool beans. Kevin. Give Toby (heck, Fidget too) some lovin from us. I'm glad you had a good and fun-filled trip! Be well, Chad -- Looking for a pet? Adopt one! ** http://www.petfinder.com Info for a healthy, happy dog? * http://www.dog-play.com Their very silence is a loud cry. - Cicero |
#7
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"Kevin Michael Vail" wrote in message
... But I wanted to drop a note to let people know we were back and that Toby is still going strong. So glad to hear you had a great trip with him. I'm sure it's a comfort to know you'll always have the memory of it. Keep truckin', Toby. Cate |
#9
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Kevin Michael Vail wrote:
Toby and I got back Sunday from our trip to the wilds of upstate New York. He had absolutely a marvelous time, and I'm so glad I went and took him with me. So good to hear that a good time was had by all, Kevin. Scritches to Toby and Fidget. Suja |
#10
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We stopped at a Burger King near Thurmont, MD, where he got to bark at the drive-thru attendant (fierce dangerous thing that she was--laughing Hey I know that one! (I work in Frederick. Thinking good thoughts for you all. -- Melissa S. Frye Skyrocket cockers www.mfrye.com/skyrocket/ |
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