Oh my. A park. Full of smells and sights and other dogs and lots of people.
Sensory overload.
My girl has done very well so far. Scout is hyper on a normal day. Guess what she’s like here in Hartford? She’s not sure why we’re here or what she’s supposed to do but she’s handling it like a pro. This apartment building has elevators! She’s never been in one before. There’s lots of traffic and noise outside! There’s the park! There’s Nathalie, who came and stayed with her last night when I had to be at rehearsal! And Chelsea, who will sit with her tonight!
Lots of adjustments, of course. Food and water in a different place. Sleeping next to my bed instead of downstairs on the sofa back at the house.
She may be doing better than me. It’s really dry here in this apartment and I can’t get the windows open. I woke up in a miserable, congested state. And, though I didn’t think it was possible, this bed is harder than ours. So, on one hand, there’s Scout, overwhelmed but excited by this adventure, and then there’s me – blowing my nose, hobbling around with a sore back and hip, longing for my little cottage.
The sofa is covered with an old sheet as Scout sheds a lot of cat-like hair, a towel is handy for muddy feet (there’s a warming trend going on and snow is melting,) there’s lots of water available for a girl who pants a lot when she’s excited. And she’s excited.
Let’s she how she does when I have to leave her alone for an hour or so this afternoon. She’s pretty tired, so I’m hoping she sleeps. I left her in the room alone for a bit last night when I went downstairs to wait for Nathalie. When I came back she was planted right in the hallway facing the door, waiting for my return. And she wasn’t barking.
Cross your fingers.
Happy Thursday.
Sally says
I was hoping you would check in Claudia, so good to hear all is well with you and Scout. Fingers and all appendages crossed for later today when Scout is on her own.
Happy day to you!
Claudia says
We just got back from our second walk of the morning and I’m hoping she’s just plain tired out!
Tana says
Come on Scoutie, you can do it! Enjoy! Your mom is near. And friends!!
Claudia says
She’s a trooper, Tana!
Deb says
Scout put a smile on my face this morning. She does look so happy and excited! Hope she does well today!
Claudia says
Me too! She LOVES walking in the park.
sue says
You`re both fabulous; love you!!!!!
Sue
xo
Claudia says
We’re sending hugs and kisses right back at ya, Sue.
Rita says
It is good to see Scoutie getting along so well. Oh how I relate to dry air and a sore back when in a strange home. I don’t want to bother you while you are busy but I have a question to ask that can be answered later. Do you have tips for if my daughter if she begins an Etsy shop? Is there a book you referred to or any help you could offer. Thank you so much! Rita
Claudia says
Etsy itself has lots of tutorials and there is an Etsy blog with all sorts of advice. I also bought Etsy for Dummies (I think that’s the title) – one of those yellow and black covered guides for those who are unfamiliar with something technical. It was very helpful. xo
Patricia says
I’m so glad Scout is with you and happy. When you were decided on taking her on the last trip or boarding her, I held my peace and opinion (which was TAKE HER!) since everyone else was advising on boarding. So I’m glad she’s with you!
Hope you can get a humidifier or something to help with the dry air!
Thanks for letting us know how it’s going.
Claudia says
Well, you never know. Since she’d just been in the hospital and since everyone there is so kind, I thought she might be safer. But now I know. This will probably never come up again anyway. Don and I both gone at the same time is a rare thing, indeed. Thank goodness, this job is in driving distance from my home so that I could bring her. My car might not be able to take a longer trip! At least until we figure out the coolant mystery.
Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest says
I love that first photo – you can feel her excitement and readiness to explore something new :-)
Claudia says
She does love new sights and smells!
Suzan says
Dear Scout,
You are doing great. new places are an adjustment but the smells are great. Enjoy your day, I am at home keeping an eye on the doxies.
Best regards
Rusty
Ladybug Cottage
Claudia says
Dear Rusty,
Thank you. Please keep an eye on those doxies. I’m keeping an eye on all the strange dogs in the park. Some of them bark at me. My mom told me that she was proud of me because I haven’t barked at any of them.
I’m tired. Real tired.
Scout
Judy says
What a little trooper, she feels so secure there with you! Be SAFE! -Judy-
Claudia says
She’s my girl!
Regula says
She seems to do very well. Bravo. I’ve heard that it is unbearable for a dog to be left at an unknown place with unknown people. Taking her with you is far better than letting her at the kennel, I’m sure. :-)
Claudia says
I’ve discovered that it is much better for her.
TracyMB@Crow's Feet Chic says
Make sure you hide the room service menu… she might just enjoy that hour a little too much! :)
Claudia says
I wish there WAS a room service menu!
Patti says
It’s nice she can keep you company and you can tell she likes to know where you are at all times! Sweet. ~Hugs, Patti
Claudia says
That she does, Patti.
Lucia says
So glad that Scout likes us here in Hartford county. And so glad you can be at ease about her.
Pat her head for me, Lucia
Claudia says
I will, Lucia.
Francine says
Sounds like Scout is adjusting well to her new surroundings. Just that she can rely on you for walks, company, and kind words is a comfort to her, I’m sure!! Hope you have a better night tonight, Claudia. When you think about it, there’s no place like home!! Have a great rest of the day!!! Francine
Claudia says
I keep telling her how proud I am of her.
Donnamae says
Fingers crossed! She does look happy….sorry about your back. But, in the scheme of things, I think it might be more important for Scout to be happy…course, I’m not the one hobbling around with a sore back! ;)
Claudia says
You’re right, my back will recover but I need my girl to feel happy and safe. That’s the most important thing.
Linda @ A La Carte says
She seems to be doing great! Such a sweet girl she is! Oh I hate hard beds, I have hip issues also! Hope the rest of the stay goes well.
hugs, Linda
Claudia says
And this one is hard, Linda!
Olive Cooper says
What an adventure for you two. I do understand as we move our pet babies around too. Clovis just turned fifteen but for a cat he travels well.
Claudia says
We are indeed having an adventure. But we’re both dog tired!
Karen says
It sounds like you two are making memories:) What a trooper Scout is. My package came in the mail yesterday and I LOVE it! I blogged about it yesterday:)
Claudia says
I just went over to your blog and left a comment, Karen. You look beautiful in it!
missy george says
Scoutie seems to be adjusting well to her adventure…Hope it continues..
Claudia says
So far, so good.
Laura says
So glad that Scout is doing good, but sorry that your back and hip are hurting. Hope today works out.
Hugs,
Laura
Claudia says
I left her alone for 3 hours. She might have barked while I was away, but she wasn’t barking as I came down the hall. That’s a good sign!
Jane says
I’m so glad to hear Scout is adjusting so well. My dogs are terrible barkers, we’d definitely be thrown out on he street after a half hour!
Hope some time away from the room eases your troubles.
XO,
Jane
Claudia says
A nice long hot shower helped, Jane.
Meredith says
Oh that Scoutie, she makes me smile. I knew she would do well with this new adventure, she is so funbny.
Mere
Claudia says
She’s a funny, hyper and now stinky girl.
Teresa Kasner says
She is doing great! When we take our Cairn Terrier to a hotel at the coast, when we leave him so we can go to the restaurant next door he howls when we leave.. naughty boy. Have fun at rehearsal! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Claudia says
She is a trooper, Teresa.
Nana Diana says
So far-so good- at least for her! I hope she does okay today while you are gone…and I am glad she wasn’t barking when you went out before- xo Diana
Claudia says
She seemed okay when I got back, and I was gone at rehearsal for 3 hours.
Lisa Lynn says
What a trooper :) She’s so sweet!
Claudia says
She is indeed, Lisa Lynn.
Mare says
YEAH Scoutie! I have a doxie, so I had visions of a little puppy “fit” but it sounds like she was an angel! (she could teach my guy a thing or two!) so glad she is with you!
Hope your back and hip feel better-glad the hot shower helped…advil and a hot bath or shower is always my cure for EVERYTHING!
M
Claudia says
A hot bath may be on the schedule for tonight.
tracy says
Good Girl Scout! wait…so she’s a girl-scout ~ earning her city badge ;-) Though I’m guessing originally she was the To Kill A Mocking Bird Scout:) Have fun!
Claudia says
Absolutely named after TKAM Scout.
Judy Clark says
So glad Scout is doing well. Been thinking about you two all day. Know you will both be glad to get back home. When does Don come home?
Judy
Claudia says
Not until mid-February. At least 5 more weeks.
Kristin_Texas says
Glad to hear she’s handling her adventure so well! It isn’t easy traveling with your animals, or having to leave them behind. My brother is getting married out of state this summer and I’ve been a total basket case just thinking about having to leave my 3 dogs and elderly cat behind for a few days.
Ann says
As they say, old dogs can learn new tricks. Good for Scout and good for you too Claudia. I’ve just been catching up with blogland and caught your post title. We have always travelled with our pets, and I find it’s always nice to have a touch of home and some friendly faces waiting in the hotel or rental. I hope your adventure continues nicely and that you two girls have a grand time. Ann
Lynn says
Ah! but at least she is with you! That’s quite the adventure!
Missing moments says
So glad she has done well. Hope she continues to do so. Much better than I probably would!
Sandy says
Glad to hear that Scout is doing good. Too bad you have a hard bed and dry air in the place. Hope you don’t lose too much sleep and have an aching back during the whole trip. At least one of you is doing well. Here’s to a better day ahead.
Mrs. Magpie says
I think it’s great that you took her with you, Claudia. She is so sweet, and I hope and pray she doesn’t bark at all.
XO,
Sheila
Haworth says
What a good girl! So glad she did so well and I hope it continued and she was fine with the adventure. (I know what you mean about windows and dry air. It’s terrible to wake up congested that way. And ‘new’ beds always give me a back ache. I hope yours isn’t too terrible.)