Travels With Winston

Our journey is different from a standard vacation in many ways. For us, this includes bringing Winston along. Winston is a 2-1/2 year old Golden Retriever. He's a lovely boy, but still something of a puppy.

He has traveled with us before, but on those occasions we were driving to a destination where we would stay for a number of days, then return home. This is his first driving vacation.

Winston spent at least half the day yesterday relieved that we brought him with us. He sat in the back with Tommy and smiled big smiles. He worries whenever we start bustling around packing suitcases. I've left him for work trips and the boys have left him for camping trips. So he always worries.

He also has a very strong need to keep his "pack" together. He's always at his happiest when we're all gathered together in one room. So if this wasn't so new -- and therefore somewhat disconcerting -- it would be perfect. But he's thrilled to have all of us together in the car or motel room.

This vacation has us thinking differently in so many ways. Traveling with Winston is certainly one of them!