With JoJo, our newest pup, settling in at home, I find myself thinking about those small but memorable moments when a dog experiences something for the very first time.
Thinking About Firsts
I remember Lonnie’s first trip in the Airstream. She was only nine months old, and we had just welcomed her into our lives a few months earlier. She was still figuring out how to walk on a leash and learning the art of peeing while tethered to one of us. For her first big adventure, we (confidently) chose to drive from Los Angeles to Zion National Park.
My “Can Do” Way of Jumping In
I have a habit of jumping into things without imagining how challenging they might be. There’s a kind of optimism in me that says, “I can do this!” and I dive in. Looking back, I see how that spirit has led me into some tricky situations, but I wouldn’t change anything. It’s just part of who I am, even if it means learning a few lessons the hard way.
Planning Can Only Take You So Far
To balance out my leap-before-I-look attitude, I try to prepare as much as I can. Planning is something I take comfort in.
Before our trip to Utah, I wanted Lonnie to feel at home in the Airstream. For several days, I brought her inside, letting her sniff around and get used to the small space. We practiced going in and out, and she seemed to settle in just fine. However, I realize I should have spent more time helping her get comfortable with the leash and the critical requirement of peeing while on a walk.
Cold Nights and Parking Lot Circles
On that first night of our trip, Jay spent nearly 45 minutes out in the cold, patiently walking Lonnie around the parking lot, hoping she would finally go. There was nowhere else to walk after dark, so they circled again and again. She eventually went. After that experience, things got a tiny bit easier, and soon it took her only about half an hour to do her business.
Three Dogs, Three Rhythms
Another first and challenging scenario on that trip was traveling with all of our dogs: Butters, Rosie, and Lonnie. When we travel, Jay walks the dogs in the morning while I make coffee in the trailer. That routine had been easy when there were only two dogs. On that trip, and many afterward, Jay had to wrangle three dogs with very different rhythms. One would be sniffing everything, another barking at a passing dog, while the third crisscrossed the others’ paths, leaving behind a tangled web of leashes. After a few walks, there was less confusion and more cohesion.
When Zion Put Everything in Perspective
Arriving at Zion National Park, surrounded by those towering Red Rock walls and the quiet, ancient feeling of the place, I felt the stress of LA traffic and the strain of busy workdays melt away. All the little worries faded into the background.
Looking Back With Gratitude
Now, as I think back on our trip, I can step back and see the bigger picture. It was a special time with three special pups. In the grand scheme of life, what I described were small inconveniences. The “firsts” eventually led to routines and solidifying our family traditions.
I also realize we were lucky to have all three dogs here on Earth at the same time. We explored Utah and many places afterward. All of us… eager to see, feel, and sniff something new.
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