On the Road again ...

Preparing the family for travel is almost more hecitc than it's worth.

By the family, I mean April and our three dogs. The cats stay at home -thank God.

First they recognize the travel bag. That alone gets them excited. Then, if I'm lucky, I can pack without getting white hair all over whatever it is I'm packing. If I don't scream at some four-legged friend more than five times, that as well is as good as a victory.

Then comes packing the dogs. Two cups of food per dog, times three dogs eating twice a day for three days while we're gone .. holy crap, I have to do math as well?!? What the F'?? Most who know me know that is far from my strongest point. Packing 36 cups of food into a double lined plastic bag that I"m sure will rip and I'm also sure that when it comes time to feed them, they won't want to eat. Just whipmer later when they realize they're hungry.
Fold down the seats in the Saturn, load in a dog bed and some blankets. Get the bags situated so it creates a barrier between the front seats and the cargo area, set the iPod two bottles of water, April's purse our coats and we're ready for the hell to really begin.

Opening the closet door where the leashes are kept. Holy crapola, this is like unleashing of the bulls in Bareclona. These dogs can run, but on wood floors, they slide like monkeys on ice skates. Someone fails, cries the others jump, one is pacing like an expectant father. The getting of the leashes on is like a release of tension only equatable to the end of school. The world is lifted and the vacation can begin.
A three hour car ride with occasional growling because someone touched someone, or invaded their space followed by lots of 'Grandparent' spoiling and playing with other dogs. A worthy headache? I'm not sure, but I guess it's a good primer for kids.

-DJr-