When the Weather Outside is Frightful...We Go Shopping!

Chewy LOVES to go on adventures. He is always up for any sort of outing, especially if it includes a ride in the car. If you start putting on jackets and grabbing car keys or purses, he will follow you to see if he gets to come along, or sit by his leash to see if you pick it up.

When Chewy gets loaded into the car, we usually take him to the park for some fresh air and exercise. Chewy is rather nonchalant about braving the elements, and might even enjoy playing in some puddles, mud, and snowbanks. However, high winds are definitely not his thing. If garbage cans, screen doors, and other objects start banging around outside, his first instinct is to run back home. When the weather is too frigid, too stormy, or even too hot, we go explore some of our favorite dog-friendly stores so that Chewy can get some exercise and mental stimulation.

Of course, there are the big pet store chains, where Chewy can sniff all the food and treats,

Mmm this smells yummy!

  test out dog beds and crates,

This is comfy and cozy...

and even try on clothes.

Perhaps we can find a bigger size?

Coping with the Heat Wave

It has been HOT over here on the East Coast, and weather forecasters are saying the high temps will continue through the end of July! Chewy's preferred temperature range is 60°F and below, so he is rather displeased with this!

The easiest way for Chewy to keep cool is to stay home with the air conditioner on. He likes to lay on the floor tile, hug the metal bar stools, and lounge on the leather couch - all surfaces that are cool to the touch.

Bar stool for Chewy!

Napping on his favorite couch

He goes out to potty just a few feet away from the door and then hurries back in to resume chilling in the air conditioning.

But lounging around at home all day gets boring, and a cooped up pup needs exercise and mental stimulation! So, I try to take him out sometimes, preferably early or late in the day when temperatures are (marginally) cooler, and sticking to shady areas.

Staying hydrated is a top priority in the heat for both humans and pups, so bringing water on every outing is a necessity.

Just gonna stay here by my water bowl!

If we walk along the shoreline, he tries to jump into the stinky bay to escape the heat.

NEED...TO...SWIM!!

When we get home, I set up his kiddie pool so that he can cool off. Here he is getting poolside beverage service while waiting for the pool to fill:

But instead of walkies, Chewy would much rather travel in the air conditioned car...

...and go shopping!

Chewy Goes to Maine

Last week, we took Chewy on a family vacation to Mount Desert Island in Maine, where Acadia National Park is located. 

Strapped myself in for a road trip!

It's about a 9 hour drive from where we live, so we stopped for a night in Portland at the Marriott at Sable Oaks. Hurricane Arthur was passing through when we arrived, and it rained buckets all night long. Our dog-friendly room was on the first floor with a sliding glass door in the back leading to a small foresty area, so potty breaks were quite convenient. There was a constant supply of dogs walking around outside looking for good potty spots, so Chewy was kept pretty entertained. We met a lot of soaking wet dog owners that day, as well as many goldens! One golden even tried to follow Chewy to our room.

I see a doggy...

Let's go outside!

Since it was raining so much, we stayed in the hotel from check-in to check-out, aside from potty breaks. That left lots of time for exploring...

and lounging.

It was Independence Day, so we watched the Macy's fireworks display on TV. Chewy was not impressed.

Crimpy ears from the humidity

To burn off Chewy's pent up energy from riding in the car all day, we ran around in the empty ballroom lobby and went up and down the stairs a few times.

It stopped raining by morning but it was still soggy outside, so we went to check out the Planet Dog store. There were LOTS of things for Chewy to smell, as well as a large array of dog care items.

They had what I assume was their complete line of Orbee-Tuff toys, but I thought they smelled and felt really weird. The rubber is kind of mushy-feeling, and a lot of them have an overwhelming rubber + mint scent. Chewy might have enjoyed them anyway, but I didn't ask him. There were also a lot of soft toys, but they looked too flimsy for Chewy's chewing habits. We ended up buying him a Katie's Bumper for fetching at the beaches and ponds that we were heading to. He was quite excited about it.

Yeah, I want that one!

We then headed to Freeport to visit the L.L. Bean Flagship Store, because you've got to make a stop there when you're in the area, right?

Moose!

Sadly, doggies aren't allowed inside the store, but there were plenty of dogs for Chewy to play with outside while we took turns shopping.

Giant 90th anniversary L.L.Bean boot

I picked up a golden puppy stuffie in an L.L.Bean bandanna for one of our little kid relatives so she can have her own mini-Chewy.

Stay tuned for Chewy in Acadia!

Wordless Wednesday