December Holiday Party

Trip Reports

Brazos River
by John Rich

Lake Charlotte
by John Rich

Labor Day on the Sabine
by Paul Woodcock

Labor Day in the Hill Country
by John & Anne Olden

Lake Charlotte
by Paul Woodcock

Camping with Pets
Welcome to "Backwater Backwash", a random and incomprehensible collection of thoughts, observances and experiences in no particular order, so that it makes absolutely no sense at all.

Today we will explore the prospect of camping and boating with pets. And kids. Oh, boy.....

Before I even met my husband, I used to take PUFF, my green scaly dog, camping and boating with me. Then, a few years ago, she had a bad experience outside which made her afraid to be outside at all for quite a while. Recently, specifically, Labor Day weekend, we decided that it was time for her to get over it and come with us. Besides, every time we'd go off without her and BIRD, our Quaker Parrot, they would pout when we got back. We decided to take them both.

And so we did........

Bird squawked periodically in his carrier in the car. He has only a carrier, because he isn't in a cage at home. Puff rode with Daddy holding her. She was so happy to be in the car and kept trying to look out the windows at the scenery going by. We stopped for lunch, and she didn't bother with begging, but kept trying to help herself. She couldn't wait for Joe to parcel her out some food. Bird thought he wanted some, too, and squawked until he got some. We had pizza, by the way...

Once on the river, Puff rode on the barge in her new collapsible carrier. Bird was in his carrier, and seemed to be upset because he couldn't see me (his mommy), so I ended up turning him around so he COULD see me. That seemed to make him happy.

Puff is over her fear of outside, it seems, and enjoyed walking on the warm sand and swimming in the river. She swims like a little alligator. She seemed to go back to the way she used to be before the incident. Bird, however, was a bit apprehensive since this was the first time he'd been outside. He did get to play in the water a bit, and was having fun splashing like birds do, until he stepped into deep water (about 3 inches). Then he demonstrated why you don't see too many parrots swimming. Poor Bird... .
(Joe gives Bird comfort with some TLC)

Anyway, the boys LOVED having our pets with us, and wanted to take them on our next excursion to the beach. They wanted to bring Fluffy, our Tarantula, too, but I told them that she had to stay home to guard the house. I really don't think she would so much enjoy camping out or playing in the river....


At the beach, Puff had a grand ole time again, except that she didn't seem very keen on the salt water. She seemed to like the gentle waves washing up, and swam a little bit, until she tasted the water.... snort snort snort.... Bird wanted to come out and play, too..... until he saw the pelicans and seagulls.
Although he doesn't normally like Joe, he cuddled under his chin in fear of those big giant birds. Poor Bird...

Leaving the beach, we stopped at a restaurant right on the canal and ate on the outside porch area. All of us. Bird was in his carrier, but Puff was on her leash. There was a cat at the restaurant who gets to eat all the shrimp and fish she wants. Puff likes cats, and also tends to want to eat whatever a cat is eating. The cat, however, wasn't sure what to make of Puff and kept her distance... which was good for Bird. We all had a great time!

Traveling with pets AND kids is really a great experience. Yes, it is more work, and you have to make sure of the safety and well being of the furry, scaly and feathered critters as well as the little two footed critters. You have to make sure you have their food, water, and any medications, as well as something familiar from home, like a toy or something. You even have to make sure you have first aid supplies for them, and know how to handle any possible accidents or illnesses, just like you do for your kids and yourself. If you plan to take pets with you on most trips, you also have to make sure THEY have a good time, too.

The good news is, since we started including them in our trips, they don't pout when we get home anymore, because they got to go, too. Well, maybe Fluffy might be pouting, but its kind of hard to tell if a spider is pouting....