My Leash Buddy Today

Ace has always been our quiet, go-with-the-flow guy that never really made a stink about anything. Perhaps his two conquests this month have made him more brazen - or Dewey whispered in his ear the good stuff in outside the camper - Because today while we were at the picnic table sipping on our final weekend cup o' joe, Ace begged to be at my side. this need of his remained as we were packing up to head home and even for the ride! On my lap he insisted to be.

Tag-A-Long Dewey?

After a long adventure around the park with me today, I discovered a tick right beside Dewey's... well... umm... his meat-meat. Poor guy! not sure if we picked it up in the campground, the hiking trails or dag walking area, but he jumped on and took hold. Damn it man! Hate those ticks!

We Are All Lovin' Lake Griffin!

And I mean the dogs too!

They spent the last hour enjoying the dog walking area in the park, as well as a a tour around the campground. They all had an on-leash blast and then a well deserved nap-fest. Long walks like that always bring on the sleepy mode and we now will have a very quite camper for at least 2 hours.

Colada is Chillaxin

She has about 10 days to go until her puppies are here and to help her get into the chillaxin mood, we took off her harness and let her lounge where ever she wants in the camper.

I felt her puppies kick for the first time today - The true sign that the fun is around the corner. This is the stage when mommies present their bellies in full form for tons of rubs and lovin'.

Dewey's Latest Trick

Dewey is the latest of our Chihuahuas that figured out the good food is outside the camper. That's where my husband does all of the cooking on the grill and that is where you can get his extras. Tonight is was marinated chicken and with just a quick sniff, he was up on his hind legs, begging away. Too bad it's too entertaining to stop the teasing.

And Away We Go to Lake Griffin

We are all piled up and on our way to Lake Griffin in Fruitland Park. We love this campground. It is one of the very few state parks that actually have a dog waling area! Very dog and kid friendly place to camp. And yes, the dogs are all dressed in their blue and orange. Dont they look excited? Not sure if it's because they are representin' or because we are going camping!

The Weekend Did It's Job

Another successful camping trip - On that allowed us all - Humans and Dogs - The chance to totally chillax. Even with the Chicatoo detour mixed in! A lot of bonding time napping on the couch and so many leisurely walks, taking on the beauty of Lake Louisa State Park.

And I finally got to read the every page in one of my most favorite books! It is one I recommend to my new puppy families - How to Afford Veterinary Care without Mortgaging the Kids. I have read pages that pertained to me several times but to read from cover to cover was awesome. I TOTALLY agree with the author 300%. If you one one dog or 20, this book is a must read!

Blue's Creation

The lovely job Blue did on the screen door of our camper has now become the rest of the dog's favorite peep-hole (and for some, jump through hole!)

The moment we open the man-door to come in, we are greeted with wet noses first. I totally need to add "Plexiglas Replacement" to my to-do list. Until then, we are using a baby-gate in the entry to block the licks and kisses.

And She Wowed Us Again

Rane has totally made herself at home in our home on wheels too! She has already had two walks around the park today and has really come to enjoy the "picture window" view from the back of the couch. she has also found a few new cuddle buddies - Chicatoo, Colada, Ace and Dewey. Napping is something we all do a lot of during camping weekends and she has totally got that mastered now!

This Was A First!

Never in all of our camping adventures has this EVER happened! I realize that we are up one dog and my daughter got confused but apparently our one dog that doesn't run to the back door with excitement as we pack up to leave for one of our trips, didn't make it into the truck as we pulled out of the drive way.  Of course, the hustle bustle of walking the dogs after the drive to the park still didn't bring this fact to anyone's attention. It was when we were letting them into the camper after their potty walks that the head count brought the truth to light and the change of plans into action. Chicatoo was Home Alone! (queue paws slapped on either side of her face!)

Back to the house I drove. Thank goodness the park is a short distance from the house (within an hour). As I walked up to the front porch to unlock the door, I could hear her whining from the other side. Tail a wagging, she practically jumped into my arms as I stepped in. Here, one might think complete free reign to the house and not having to deal with any other dog would be pure heaven to her, apparently being with her humans was higher up on the list. The excitement continued until she kissed each human she could see at the campsite and the eyeballs of every Chi friend in the camper - then she crashed!

We Made It!

And with a full load too!

With a grand total of 12 non-puppy Chihuahuas. That is the most we have had with us on a camping weekend. (Yes, when we have had puppies in tow, we have reached up towards 15). And with the weather so beautifully perfect, they have many State Park walks in their future over the next couple days!

A Party Of Our Own!

This camping trip is one I personally have been beyond looking forward to. I haven't seemed to be able to catch up since Thanksgiving - Running nonstop with a never-ending to-do list containing items that seem to have multiplied like rabbits. No, this trip wasn't going to help me with my list - It was going to allow me to completely unplug and NAP!

I never get to catch up on my sleep at home and after we unpacked and settled in, I actually turned in early and retired to my mobile master bedroom. Chicatoo finally caught onto the "way of the camper" and jumped on up to nap with me. My shadows, Dewey and Ace were right behind. (Buddy joined in too). For Dewey and Ace, they appreciated the change of pace. For the first time in months we went to bed in the PM hours!

My Riding Buddies

The ride home was actually shorter - By a full hour! That was a nice way to end the trip!  And the two dogs that remained in my lap for the full 7 hours? Cosmo and Dewey!

These two napped, cleaned each others ear and periodically peeked out the window to check status and location. They make perfect companions for the trip.

Packin It Up

We are heading back home today and gearing up for the long drive home. The puppies have become so acclimated to being with the rest of us, they will sit with the kids for the ride instead of in the crate. And they have figured out that we are up to something because they watch the dogs for every sign and the dogs have is all mastered.

Packing up is about an hour process and the dogs now simply sit and watch, being sure to stay out of our way. It's just so amazing to see how quickly dogs can learn. For the 7 week old pups to pick it all up, that speaks volumes!

My Latest Find

While shopping in Key West, I stopped in at Blue Cat & Red Dog Too - A  Dog & Cat Boutique in the indoor mall. This sign is what caught my eye and became a must have! at $9.99, it was the perfect addition to the camper. I plan to hang it on the back because we don't have a Toy Hauler - We have a CHIHUAHUA HAULER!!!

While exploring Key West, I did happen to find another boutique right on Duvall street. They had puppies (which based on my honest opinion, were more like 6 weeks old, not 8 weeks old) and I was a bit perplexed about the possibility of a vacationer buying a puppy away from home. I can only imagine the stress that would produce. Puppies aside, they had some adorable t-shirts and bananas.

Another Dog Pile

See the puppies up there in the dog pile on the couch? They have totally worked their way into the pack and have mastered naptime to the max! This x-penless camping trip has taught me a lot! More freedom makes much more happy and social pups!

Chicatoo's Got It Down

Chica has totally loved this trip! She has finally gotten the whole camping thing totally figured out and the free-reign of the camper is what she truly enjoys the most. See, at home, Cosmo controls the "good" toys. He carries them with him everywhere, especially to greet people when they walk in the door. In the camper, none of the dogs really play with the toys. That leaves them all for Chicatoo! She gathered up her favs and brought them to one of the doggy beds for her own enjoyment and fun!

She Finally Did It!

THIS would be why we don't leave Blue in the camper without us.

She jumps nonstop at the door, trying to open then door. And when she takes a break from jumping, she uses her nails to scrape at the screen on the screen door, finally tearing right through, make a hole large enough for her to slip out when the main door is open. I see a piece of Plexiglas in our near future!

Dewey Loved Key West!

We all headed down to Key West today and I decided to bring my shadow, Dewey, along for the adventure. Spending time with me since we got here has been at a minimum so some alone time was just what he needed. Alone with me and the gazillion other tourists here for the holiday weekend.

He enjoyed a bit of shopping for trinkets and such and then explored Duvall Street. I know there are many humans out there that have a story to share about the uber tiny Chihuahua they saw walking around Key West. Many of the street entertainers stopped us as well as those passing, seeing his either on his leash or in my doggy purse.

He did so well and enjoyed all of the attention that is for sure. From the ice cream covered fingers of the little kids that pet him to the sweet and affectionate rub downs from men and women alike that fell in love with his adorableness.

Step Mommy Colada

Colada has shown us that she is going to be the most amazing mommy! Last night Ginny opted to sleep up in bed with us, which she has been doing at home too.  Colada stayed with the boys and slept with them in their open-doored crate. Whenever Ginny is not within eye-shot of her puppies, Colada has been right there to watch over them. So sweet!