Shopping

There's no doubt about it - from Black Friday when the stores are mobbed with shoppers looking for the best deals on holiday gifts, to Cyber Monday which repeats the buying frenzy without the mobs, to National Returns Day which is the day after Christmas when people return the gifts they didn't want for something else - the holidays are filled with expectations and exhaustion. My mom often says it's when people spend money they don't have on things other people don't want. Every time we stop at a store I look through the truck window to see people hurrying into the store. Then after a time they stroll out looking quite exhausted and frustrated. It doesn't look like very much fun. Maybe that'd have more fun throwing a ball for me. I'd gladly donate my time to that.

But my mom and dad are smart when it comes to buying me a Christmas present. They decided to give me a gift I can really appreciate. They're taking me someplace warmer for the winter.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love life no matter where I am. But I have to admit going wee in the cold of northern NH isn't something that I would ever include on my bucket list. In fact, it was so cold a few mornings ago I thought my wee would freeze before it hit the ground. Since I have very short hair I'm definitely not an outdoorsy kind of guy. And then there's this stuff called snow - pretty, but wet and cold. Plus it covers up all the smells I'm used to so I have to stick my nose into it to sniff out where I put that bone. Now whose idea is that?

So it was a unanimous decision to go to a more southern climate until that white stuff disappeared. To do this, we'd need someplace to live. We went to Camping World in Center Conway, NH to buy a traveling house. We chose a 26' RV with heated floors! Now we're talking!

The folks at Camping World were very nice. Everyone petted me, gave me treats and even let me run around the store on a leash. It was only my 2nd time on a leash but I did very well. I tried to be on my best behavior. Since I'm not completed potty trained yet I'm very proud that I didn't go wee on the floor. Not even once! Each time someone came by I got an ear scratching, even if I'd met that same person before. These were definitely my kind of people. And my brother Sammy and I sniffed out a mouse hole in Rick's office and let him know he'd better take care of that.

Me and my friends at Camping World in Center Conway, NH

We're picking up our traveling house today and soon will leave for parts warmer. I'll let Mom know what to take pictures of along our travels and will keep you informed of the great places we visit and interesting people we meet.

---Cruz