A road trip!

This time next week, we will be making the final preparations for a road trip.  We are headed for Kansas City, MO for a few days where Nona Ear Rubs will be taking a class.  Plus, we will be doing some antiquing -- at least we hope to find some hidden treasures along the way.

It will be interesting to note any differences between this trip and the one that we took almost exactly a year ago.  We will be traveling about the same distance and traveling by car, just like last year.  That trip went very well, especially since Cura had been training for such a short period of time.  Of course, I was a bit uncomfortable taking her so far from home for fear that she would somehow get away from me and end up lost.  I no longer have that fear -- I know that Cura won't go far.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not foolish and do take precautions -- but accidentally dropping the leash no longer sends a flash of panic through my body.  Now, it is more like . . . oh, oops . . . whereas before it was more like . . . OH NO! WHERE'S THE LEASH! (frantic motion to get my hands on it or to step on it so Cura doesn't get away).

So, I imagine the BIG difference between this trip and the one last year is going to be me!  Go figure.

It's flippin' HOT!

Happy Fourth of July!

Yesterday, Cura and I spent part of the day sitting around and answering questions at a nearby garden shop.  Okay, so I answered questions, Cura hung out.  We were in a covered area and I made sure that Cura was well fortified against the heat.  Her cooling coat was doing wonders -- keeping her core temperature down -- but after a bit, it became clear that her head was a bit warm.  This was my solution . . .

She was quite comfortable and I was happy to forego wearing my hat since the sun was not beating down on me directly.  I think I may have to look into getting her a hat of her own! (One that fits a bit better and doesn't fall off every time she moves her head!)

With the weather being as hot as it has been, making sure that Cura stays cool when we are out and about has been a big focus for me.  I think that I have mentioned that she is usually unwilling to drink while she is out working -- so making sure she doesn't get overheated is important.  I always know when I have failed in that mission because the few times she has gotten uncomforatable, she has actually taken a few laps of water when she is offered -- but only a few laps!  At least I know if she gets too hot, she WILL drink -- and it is a good gauge of how she is doing!

Still, even with all of the equipment to keep her cool, I am very careful not to have her out too long and we both are looking forward to the monsoons when the temperatures will drop a bit!