Bamps (05-29-2015), Dallas dawg (06-02-2015), Maxx&Emma (05-31-2015), MikeLynn (05-31-2015)
I recently took a road trip to visit in the States. My host has senior dogs. I pondered taking one of ours, asked, and was given permission. So I evaluated our three dogs to determine which was the best to take on this particular trip.
Our senior Kendal is not up to that kind of traveling. While Stella is a good dog to travel with she can be barky around unfamiliar people. I knew we’d spend a lot of time with people so that counted against her. Achilles does well with other dogs; he generally defers. He’s very good in the car. And he’s a most excellent ambassador from his species to us two-footeds so he was the winner.
We set out with the necessary paperwork. I had a paper copy of his most recent vaccination record and e-copies of his adoption paperwork (giving proof of ownership) and a lost dog flyer (heaven forbid that would be necessary to print). I had allowed lots of time for the ferry crossing and to deal with US Customs. We had no delays.
I’d reserved spaces on the Lake Express high speed ferry which crosses Lake Michigan. So with lots of time to spare we took the scenic route across Michigan. The drive was uneventful and we arrived at the dock with time to spare.
The ferry arrived at the dock so we got ready to board. Here’s a photo of Achilles waiting.
And here’s a photo of the ferry maneuvering into the dock.
Pets are not allowed on the passenger deck and are discouraged from staying in the car. Kennels are provided first come first reserved on the car deck. It was noisy, with blowers and fans going, and the engines thrumming belowdeck. After putting two beds from home in a large kennel I led Chili into it, locked the door, turned on a fan bolted nearby, and headed to the passenger deck.
The ferry makes the crossing in 2 ½ hours. Achilles is very resilient yet this was a new and strange experience so I was a little stressed, imagining his stress level. I’d already begun considering cancelling the return trip. When we arrived at our destination I was one of the first people back to the car deck. Chili dog had backed into a corner of the kennel. I opened the crate door (blocking any escape with my body and arms), clipped him onto the leash and hustled him to the car with its familiar smells.
After deboarding we pulled over so we could relax. Achilles took several drinks, ate some kibble, peed, and took a dump. He was fine yet I’d largely decided to not make the return trip. Then we headed off on the last leg of the days’ journey.
Our hosts, two-and four-footed, were waiting. Chili had never met these dogs yet after a fairly calm sorting-out period everyone settled down.
Our week-long visit was marred by only one unfortunate incident. Chili tried to hump my hosts’ leg. Stink dog. Otherwise he was gentle and compliant. He and the host dogs interacted little with one another. I think that’s partly because all are seniors. Achilles is 10?, the hosts 13 and 14. Also, the host dogs do not, by temperament, play. Feeding times were completely free of drama. As a safeguard I gated Achilles in a bedroom until everyone was done. My host and another guest were very bemused by Chili’s affinity for asparagus stalks, and by this habit.
He's not in mid-lick, tongue out and retracting into his mouth. When he's relaxed and at ease, his tongue might hang out. He's completely unaware, I'm certain. It's incredibly endearing.
Achilles sometimes watched out the window with our host Lab, a marvellous girl.
Eventually we had to leave. I’d decided to drive around the bottom of Lake Michigan. It took nine hours including gas stops, rest stops, and a 30 minute lunch stop. Had I-80/90 in Indiana been less sludgy we might have made it in 8 ½ hours. Achilles was a most very good boy. Tip: If you enter Michigan on I-94, the Welcome Center is a great place to stop. Roomy, lots of picnic tables, big trees provide lots of shade.
Going away was good. Getting home was good. If there were a future trip to Wisconsin with dogs I’d skip the ferry, grit my teeth, and do the drive.
Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy
Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles
I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .
Bamps (05-29-2015), Dallas dawg (06-02-2015), Maxx&Emma (05-31-2015), MikeLynn (05-31-2015)
Don't let dogs on the ferry? That's a bummer but looks like you made it. Awesome shots
Mr Kleb (05-30-2015)
Sounds like a good trip. What a good boy. It's so nice to have a good traveller.
The one time we drove around Lakes Superior and Michigan it was dark and rainy the whole time and we hardly saw a thing.
Mr Kleb (05-30-2015)
Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy
Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles
I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .
Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy
Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles
I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .
Sounds like a wonderful trip, putting Achilles in the crate would have made me nervous with one of mine too.
As for the "incident" Lilly Tomlin's character Edith Ann little dog Buster comes to mind, where she says he likes to dance on ladies legs. LOL
Hidden Content
Coleman - CGC blk lab 6/02/97-2/25/08 adopted
Tootsie - choc lab 10/19/99-8/03/13 adopted
Bailey - CGC newf/fc 7/12/00-07/15/14 rescued
Ginger - BT 11/16/05 - 10/14/19 rescued
Sarah - blk lab 6/22/06 - 12/30/19 rescued
rescued felines - AJ - 8/00 - 1/11, Merlin - 5/20/05-8/23/21
Tucker - 8/3/10, Penny - 7/7/13, Toby - 6/14/21
Mr Kleb (05-30-2015)
What a good travel partner! Sound like, other than the discomfort of the ferry ride, Achilles had a great time, making new friends.
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Kissing Bandit
Mr Kleb (05-30-2015)
sounds like he's a great traveller! ya, i'd be concerned about leaving my dog in an unfamiliar kennel with the load noises, or down in the car hold too.....i have a too-vivid imagination of what could possibly go wrong.
sounds like otherwise a really good trip!
Mr Kleb (05-31-2015)
I love the picture with his tongue sticking out! Achilles is a very handsome traveling companion.
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Tammy
Maxx and Emma Jean
Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.
Mr Kleb (05-31-2015)
Thank you for the comments and compliments.
Oh, there was one other incident. Just after leaving home I stopped at an ATM to get some US dollars, taking all of 3 or 4 minutes. I returned to the car to find Achilles in the front, licking the passenger seat. How odd, I thought, hope he isn't taking sick. Took me a few minutes to realize . . .
'Crap you ate my bread smeared with peanut butter!'
A few more photos.
Achilles hates the vacuum cleaner.
Another photo of Katey, an incredibly sweet girl.
Koko, the other host.
Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy
Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles
I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .
Dallas dawg (06-02-2015), MikeLynn (05-31-2015)
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