plottingtheway – Page 3 – PlottingTheWay

Wrong Turn.

Yesterday was a long, hard day. Every time I do the 13 hour drive, it gets more difficult and tiring it seems like. Especially when it’s just Mason, my 2-year-old plott hound, and I.

Don’t get me wrong Mason is the best travel buddy in the world.

"Mom, are we there yet?!" — “Mom, are we there yet?!”

But we both get more restless as the hours drag on. When we are making the drive between KY and FL, we usually stop about 4-6 times. Stopping with a dog is tricky when traveling, especially when it is just you and your pup.

Usually when we stop, it is because I have to use the bathroom (I have a smaller bladder than Mason does 🙂 haha). So I always crack the windows and run, literally, inside to use the bathroom first. When I am running back to the car, I can always see Mason wagging his tail waiting for his turn to get to stretch his legs.

Walking a dog around a rest area or gas station is never fun. Most of the time it isn’t the cleanest and, especially at gas stations, there is minimal green space for the pups to sniff around. After getting frustrated with the lack of grass area for Mason at gas stations on our last trip from KY to FL in August, I decided this time we were going to stop at more rest areas.

I found this to be a strategy to be a success! Mason much more enjoyed stopping at the rest areas, which we tested out in each state we drove through (FL, GA, TN and KY). They each had plenty of territory for Mason to explore and I wasn’t constantly pulling him away from trash or food that he shouldn’t be getting into. Another one of my favorite advantages of rest areas over gas stations is that they have designated doggie areas with poop bags included! Trust me, these few key factors during our stops helped make our long journey much more enjoyable for both Mason and I!

After the long day of traveling, we finally arrived safely in KY yesterday evening. Both VERY happy to be out of the car and home with the family for Thanksgiving.

travelbuddy2

Dog Mom Hack #3: The first turn might not always be the right one. Take time to explore the best/most comfortable options for both you and your pup when traveling together!

Leave a comment sharing any tips you have for travel with your dog! 🙂

My Favorite Kind of Kisses

The day I adopted Mason, my plott hound, my life changed forever. I know it may sound crazy to some people, but we developed a bond stronger than I have ever had with anyone. It is one we did not form with words, and maybe that is why it is so pure. I know when I look into his eyes he knows exactly how I am feeling.

Lately, I haven’t been the happiest person. I haven’t smiled or laughed or wanted to play with him like normal. That doesn’t matter to him though. He still wags his tail and jumps up smiling every single time I walk in the room. He is here for me no matter what I do without judgement.

In today’s world, it is hard not to be judged for everything you do. It’s hard to find even find one person who doesn’t judge you and I am lucky enough to have found that in Mason. He listen’s to me complain about the dumbest things, let’s me talk out my feelings when I don’t know what to do and licks away my tears when I cry (now who else would do that ha!).

Mason is truly the one who keeps me going when I don’t think I can anymore. His wagging tail and wet kisses gives me reason smile even on my darkest days.

"The best therapist has fur and four legs." - unknown — “The best therapist has fur and four legs.” – unknown

We all deserve someone as wonderful as Mason to lick away our tears and I hope you all are lucky enough to find that person like I have.

Dog Mom Hack #2: ALWAYS embrace a kiss. Even when it is a slobbery, wet one.

Leave a comment telling your story about how your dog has been there for you.

The roll

One of my favorite parts of traveling is packing for the trip. Your probably thinking who actually enjoys packing… but I do! ha! I love going through my closet, trying clothes on and closing my eyes to imagine what the trip would like in that outfit.

The hard part is, I also like to have options. So I have to be able to fit as much in my bag as possible! One very effective way I have found to do this is by rolling my clothes instead of folding them.

I begin by folding the clothes in half and then roll them as tightly as possible. As you can see, I do this with not only shirts, but pants, dresses, my undies, everything! The rolling also prevents my clothes from wrinkling as badly, which is definitely a plus!

I promise, once you try “the roll”, you will never go back to folding your clothes for your travels again.

Comment letting me know your favorite packing hack 🙂