Nobody can say I’m not one of the cool kids dogs now… because I was invited to a party! And not just any party, an out of state party!
Of course that created a problem because I don’t have my driver license yet, and I can’t fly (but I can run really fast… so maybe…). So I had to ask dad if he would be willing to be my driver so I could be the fuzzy guest of honor at my friend Tracy’s retirement party. Luckily for me, he said he was going to be in the area anyway, and he could drive us both.
As the day approached, the anticipation was driving me crazy. To help burn off some excitement, I would chase Raven around the backyard (she probably said it was fine) and since it’s springtime our grass has been growing a lot and my white feet got really green. Dad had to give me a bath so I looked like more like me and less like a vegetable spokes-dog.
I knew it was finally time for our road trip when dad tossed a suitcase on the bed. I was so excited, I jumped right in. Dad said I couldn’t ride in the suitcase because that’s where my food and stuff was going to be, which didn’t really convince me it was a bad idea.
The drive to the party took a lot longer than I expected. When I asked where it was, dad said, “just north of the river a bit” but I think he was holding back. It took an entire month to get there! It rained the entire way, and after my second time out to do my business in the rain I was almost ready to just say it wasn’t worth it, when suddenly we were there.
To be fair, I did get my first french fry while we were driving along, so it wasn’t all bad.
After we parked I realized I knew where we were. It was this place called “The Farm.” It’s the kind of farm that doesn’t grow anything or have any animals, but it’s huge just the same. Maybe they grow beer? I saw a lot of that. But I recognized the place because I was there when I was an even smaller puppy a few months ago.
Anyway, we went inside and right away everyone came over to see me! I like being the center of attention after the initial terror of a whole bunch of people reaching for my face wears off. Everyone was really friendly, and evidently the word got out — because the longer we were there the more people showed up.
We were there quite awhile. At one point, I noticed that eveone who sat at a particular table got to eat cake, so I figured I’d try it.
My friend Anna was sitting there ignoring me talking to my other friend Tracy (the one the party was for), so I took matters into my own paws and gave her a hello smootch.
The party went on for quite awhile, and there was a LOT of food that I’m pretty sure I didn’t get to eat. Then we left and went to a hotel for the night.
I know, I know… where are the photos of me with Tracy, the person the party was for? I don’t know. Dad was in charge of the camera, so I blame him. I was too busy greeting people and looking for food.
Dad told me I should make it clear that I didn’t actually sleep on the bed and snuggle against him all night. So there, that isn’t not what didn’t happen. And the blanket wasn’t soft at all. Or the pillows. Not. Even. A. Little.
It took almost a year to drive home the next day. Seriously! I know because it was spring when we left, then suddenly it was winter and sleeting and icing everywhere, and then eventually it was raining, and when we got home it was sunny and spring again!
We also had a minor near-death experience. We were driving on a two lane highway (Hwy 63) and suddenly an oncoming Semi swerved halfway across our lane! Dad reacted so fast he says he doesn’t even remember doing it. Like we had about a half-second to react and swerve onto the shoulder. The truck was so close the static electricity made my fur stand up. It blasted past and we sort of fish-tailed a bit and dad said a bunch of stuff I can’t really repeat or probably even spell. We pulled over in the next town to listen to music for a couple minutes after that.
The rest of the trip was just rainy and long, and after we got home I decided to test my favorite spot next to the couch, just to be sure it was still sleepable.
It was. 
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