Pet-Friendly

Pam and I are in the midst of planning a Fall family trip to the Smokey Mountains. To that end, we are scouring the interwebs for cabins which are large enough, well-appointed enough, and most important of all...pet-friendly. Whatever place we find will have to be pet-friendly indeed, since it will have to accommodate these three beasts. . . 

The pet-friendly disclaimer of most of these cabins reads like this:

We only accept ‘well-behaved’, housebroken dogs into our pet-friendly cabins. A leash should always be used when your dog is outside. As a rule, dogs should NOT be left unattended in cabins. Always use a crate in the ‘rare’ event that a dog must be left alone.

Hmmm...when it comes to a group of three retrievers at various stages of developement and psychological wellness, the term well-behaved is fraught with peril. “Well-behaved” 
compared to what, exactly? Compared to a cornered mountain lion, I should think that our three dogs would compare quite nicely. Compared to a house full of feral cats, these pups could put on a clinic of exemplary behavior. However, if the standard is, say. . . A ten year old, blind, arthritic border collie, then I’m afraid we might be in trouble. Nevertheless, we will sign the lease anyway, attesting to the sterling reputation and character of these three stooges and hope for the best. Incidentally, this will be their first time together, the three of them, neither Jackson or Lucy, have met their new cousin Frisco. Cameras will be at the ready.

We are doing this trip for two reasons. First, we miss our kids. Secondly, 2019 is our year to host Christmas. There will be 17 people here for dinner and presents...along with the beasts. We don’t want that to be their first date. So, our Fall trip is like a test run.

Keep us in your prayers from Oct.10-14.