Paint a New Picture.

We have been traveling for a little over a year, a year and 4 months to be exact, and the one thing that has been a constant throughout our travels are dogs. That's right, dogs. Doesn't matter in what part of the country you are in you will find dogs traveling in motor homes and trailers. At first we thought that it was only the really small ones but we soon realized that people like to travel with huge four legged animals that almost look like horses. Now don't get me wrong. I do like dogs but I have to admit the first time I meet a dog we are both sizing each other up. We stare each other down and both sniff the air as if we could sense the fear omitting from the other. All the wrong things to do, I know, but I had a really bad experience when I was growing up and it has always stuck with me. A German Shepard got loose from the neighbors across the street. There I was playing with my hot wheels in the dirt when I heard this animal coming towards me. All I could do was throw my precious cars in an attempt to slow this four legged mouth full of teeth now closing on me. I screamed and ran faster than I ever had. Closing the glass storm door behind me in time to see this hairy animal launch himself against it. Thud, plop and piddle were the only sounds I heard as the dog hit the door with a thud, fell to the stoop with a plop and piddle was the sound as I wet the foyer floor. Not a proud moment but one that has stuck with me.

So now you know why I am always apprehensive of meeting a new dog. To be honest the little ones scare me more. They tend to bare more teeth than the bigger ones.

Dogs are supposed to be our companions. They are supposed to make our lives much easier. Why then does it seem that we humans are the ones doing all the work and these pampered dogs just sit around licking themselves all day. In the cave man days, dogs were by their masters side when they would go hunting. The dogs would actually do the hunting while the caveman would just collect the booty. Dogs are the ones that should pick up after us. Once, I wanted to get a dog and my wife tried to talk we out of it because it just didn't fit our lifestyle. She convinced me to dog-sit my sisters 125lb bull dog. This thing snored, farted a deadly death cloud and slobbered everywhere. The part that totally convinced me that I never wanted a dog was my first walk with him. It was a cold morning and the grass was wet from the evenings dew. A light layer of fog hugged the ground as the sun started to heat up the morning air. The walk started of nicely as we both enjoyed the crisp morning air. Then without warning he stopped and started to sniff around. Next he got into the position that he was ready to drop a load. With his hind legs shaking he strained to push it out. Finally there it was. The dog turned and inspected it with a sniff and then looked at me as if to say he approved. I knew that at this point I had to do something but I found myself unprepared mentally. To actually see it really scared me. As I leaned over and proceeded to pick up this hot steamy pile of waste and processed dog food he just sat there and watched me. As the hot slurry oozed between my fingers I quickly tried to end this assault on my senses and hurriedly picked the area clean. Folding the plastic bag over itself I tied it up and thought I was done. Now we had to walk the many blocks back home while I still carried this 3 pound bag of still hot doggy play doe. What's wrong with this picture? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't the dog be there for us? The picture below is the one we should have in our heads.

That experience convinced me that dogs are fun as long as you don't walk them and they don't bite you. If only they would tend to me and let me be the true master. If only I could erase my childhood memories. Maybe paint a new picture where I took that dog that wanted to eat me and instead make him part of my playing experience. Maybe something like this...

Maybe I'll never understand why people like traveling with their pets but I am sure I'll continue to see them in all sizes, colors and shapes while we travel around this country.