Our dogs brought us together. First as avid readers of each others pet blogs and now – face to face #allofus

Hi Cathy,

We were thinking of spending about a month in Charleston. Looking forward to meeting you and your husband and of course, Harley and Jaxson. And look forward to showing you our floating home.

Cheers!

P

After a few email exchanges over the course of a couple of days, Doodle Dad, the Boys and I were headed to the Charleston Marina…

As we parked the car, I felt giddy with anticipation. I was about to meet someone I’d communicated with for more than two years – yet never met.

I was excited at the thought of having lengthy conversations with her “in person” vs. typing single paragraphs back and forth in the comment sections of our blogs.

The pet blogging community is large yet it’s so personal you quickly forget its size. Our pets are the link #punintended and they grant us instant acceptance into the group. #petparentsunite

When I started reading Pamela’s blog: Something Wagging This Way Comes – she lived in a house with her husband Mike and their Golden Retriever – Honey.

Like “hooked on phonics” – I read her blog posts regularly. Slowly she started to write about moving. When I realized she meant moving IN and living ON a boat – I thought “this is different.”

I was intrigued as to how one –

• get’s rid of almost everything
• lives with her husband in small quarters
• teaches her dog how to walk a plank ramp

As she prepared for this major transition in her life, she chose to share her experiences with her readers. I loved her honesty about their journey.

Now I get the opportunity to sit and hear –

THE REST OF THE STORY –

Pamela’s husband Mike met us in the parking lot while Pam & Honey stood in the adjacent field.

As only pet bloggers would do – we approached the “meet & greet” for the dogs like we were filming a “how to introduce your dogs” video for our blogs #sonerdy

Jaxson was the first one released from his leash, then Honey…

Harley remained tethered to a human. There were a few bicyclists riding near us and we all know how he is around wheels #gottaget-em

Jaxson was “smitten” with Honey from the start…

He followed her everywhere…

Since all three were getting along so well…

…it was time to see the boat.

DON’T LAUGH –

Harley refused to walk down the ramp to the slips…

How in the Doodle would we get him onto the boat?…

Pam suggested we let Honey lead the way!

First Honey…

Then Jaxson…

But not Harley, he wasn’t budging…

One Doodle don’t stop no show! The men stayed with Harley and the party got underway with two vs. three. Treats were served and devoured…

Harley must have caught a whiff of something iced with peanut butter and reevaluated his fear of ramps…

With very little coaxing he made it onboard…

After a while the rhythm of the boat had a serious calming affect on the Boys. As they rested and the husbands continued their conversations – Pam and I found time to chit-chat.

 

We talked about EVERYTHING –

• blogging – nothing specific just how much we enjoy it. We shared our blogging dreams and aspirations 
• living on a boat – for Pam & Mike they are living their dream, seeing the world from a different perspective and meeting new people along the way
• dogs – how our lives evolve around them AND how fortunate we both are to have husbands who understand, accept and support our obsession #loveyouguys

The gracious hostess planned a picnic lunch for us #supersweet When she went down below to put it together, Jaxson watched intently with the expectation of getting a little nibble…

THREE HOURS LATER –

It was time to leave. Time really does fly when you’re having fun, but even good times have to eventually come to an end 🙁

They’ll be docked here in Charleston for a few more weeks and we hope to get together again before they set sail.

I remember meeting our first Groovy Goldendoodles™ reader two years ago. Deirdre and her two doods Dash & Lilly.

Pamela, Mike and Honey were our first blogger “cross-over” and it too was a doodle*tastic moment.

So If you read us and you’re coming through Charleston – #holla …

Make it a great weekend – be safe and be kind to someone