Note from Janice Brown

My animals know when we’re going away. I’m not exactly sure how they can tell if we’re packing up for a trip with them or without them…but they defi nitely know the difference. Admittedly, our cats don’t get as excited when they see the suitcases come out, because for them it means either a trip to their two-story kitty condos at the daycare facility, or a long weekend at home with a lot of quiet time, and the occasional visitor popping in to clean the litter box and play for a while.

The dogs, on the other hand, go nuts either way. They like to go to daycare since they get treated like royalty and have lots of time to play. But if they sense they’re joining us in the car, they begin to dance around the house with excitement like no other. When they do come with us, chances are we’re headed to the beach house in Michigan. Here they can truly be dogs. In the winter, they frolic and jump in the snow, explore the desolate woods, search for traces of squirrels to chase, or pick up giant branches and drag them onto the deck. In the summer, they rule the beach, one obsessed with the tennis ball, the other committed to the Kong. They run and swim to exhaustion, and like many of you will agree: there is nothing better than a tired dog!

It always makes us feel so good to get them out of their regular city routine, bringing them to their version of doggie heaven for a few days. And while I wish the cats could join us, when I have attempted to include them in the past, it just never worked out as I had envisioned.

A long time ago when it was just me and my cat Jake, some friends and I brought him up to a cottage in Wisconsin, believing that the fresh air and change of scenery would be a big treat for him. Jake and I used to travel to and from school when I was in college, so I thought he’d be up for a road trip. Big mistake. He meowed nearly the entire time, had trouble relaxing and finding somewhere comfortable to cuddle up, and the trip home was a complete disaster. We had been driving no more than 20 minutes before Jake proceeded to throw up, pee, and poop in the car. Needless to say, that was his last major outing!

If you have ever packed up the bones, toys, and bedding to head out for a trip with your own animal companions, then you know the adventures that come with four-legged traveling. And if you have never had the joy of vacationing with your furry friend, there is no time like the present. This issue will give you some inspiration and confidence, and your pet will thank you for it.

Whether you stay home or go exploring, the warm weather is
finally here. The gentle breeze and late sunsets make both humans and animals happy.

So open the windows and let the sun shine in-

jb@StLouieTails.com