Hanging up our Tent!

Camping has always been a part of our lives — even before the pugs joined our family. I remember sunny days by the beach with our small children making sandcastles and swimming in the ocean. Sometimes they stayed in the water until their little legs were blue with cold. I remember pitching our tent on farms to enjoy the beauty of the hills and countryside. I also remember those (many) wet days sat looking hopefully for a break in the clouds often out of the door of the launderette as sleeping bags whirled round in the dryer.

Jane and Andy at Meyers RV Superstore, Liverpool, NY

Last year we finally hung up our tent (or at least stored it at the back of the garage) and decided to buy an RV. Now in our sixties, with our children long grown with families of their own we thought it was time for a little more comfort while retaining our love of being outdoors. It wasn’t a quick decision, we visited many RV stores and shows. We didn’t want anything too big, but we did want a comfortable bed and enough space for us and three pugs on those wet days. Finally, the decision was made. We purchased a 24 foot Thor Quantum. It was one year old, very low mileage having been traded after a few trips for a larger model. Perfect for us.

Of course, we had to wait! Unfortunately we found our van at a time when we were experiencing the full force of an Upstate New York winter. Deep snow would have made it impossible to drive the van to our home. Indeed, it would have been difficult even to get out of  the lot at Meyers RV Superstore. We needed to exercise patience whilst anticipating the spring.

This gave us time to enjoy Christmas and think about the pugs in an RV. What did we need for them apart from the usual food bowls and dog beds? Now we would have space to include items hitherto impossible in a car loaded with tents and sleeping bags.

At this point I should introduce the pugs — Molly, Lucy and Jack. They are all unrelated and have completely different personalities. Molly and Lucy are both ten years old. Jack is about a year younger. Lucy and Jack are both from rescue situations — Jack is blind as a result of his early abuse.  As with all pugs their panting and snoring makes quite a symphony.

Pugs often have trouble walking distances in the heat due to their breathing. Now they are all getting older they can only manage to walk a mile or so. The hotter it is the less distance they can cover.  We love to hike. So our first problem was how could we walk from campgrounds to explore the surrounding area. A quick search on Amazon found the perfect answer. The solution was a Pet Gear Stroller! The model we chose was designed to take 75 pounds of dog. Perfect for three pugs. Although apprehensive at first they  quickly grew to love it, especially Jack. If he hears the wheels he starts jumping up at the buggy clamoring to be lifted in.

As we knew we would be spending more weeks in our Thor than in our tent we also wanted to address the best way to let the pugs spend time outside with us. In our tenting days we put a stake in the ground and attached three tie-outs. I can't even begin to imagine the number of hours I spent untangling the red, blue and yellow wires! Plus the wires knocked over the water bowl every time one of them went past it. Surely, there was a better way. Another quick search on Amazon revealed Pet Playpens. (I wonder how we survived before Amazon!) The one we chose was three feet high and consisted of eight panels. Multiple units could be joined together. We decided on two — although later added a third—which would allow us enough room to put chairs inside and sit with the pugs.

So we were all set! Time to embark on our first journey. Let the adventures begin!