Our First RV Adventure!

We've been talking to Zuzu and Tootie about our upcoming motorhome trip for a few weeks now. But, until the day of departure, they avoided this large box on wheels that makes strange noises sitting ominously in the yard (well, Tootie did anyway...Zuzu warmed up to it once she discovered a clever little rodent building a nest in our radiator compartment. No worries, we permanently evicted the little critter.) 

When we were ready to go, they surely didn't want to be left behind and happily leapt up the stairs and found a comfortable perch on the sofa. Are they ready for the adventure?

So, with the house all shuttered (she looks so sad closed up) and the boat on its blocks in the yard...

we headed for the motorhome for departure.

Tootie, who never misses an opportunity to lay down and sleep, was already getting used to traveling in an RV. Zuzu, looking all regal and princess-like, was contemplating her first stop...or maybe her next meal.

Leaving MM17 at 3:00pm, we made the always beautiful drive northward towards the mainland. It was a beautiful day, an excellent day to be on the water along with the other 10,000 boats we saw. We made it to Florida City by 5:00pm, and made steady progress up the turnpike through Miami-Dade and Broward. We stopped for the night at the West Palm Beach service area. It was a bit noisy with truck traffic, but the girls quickly became used to the noise and settled in for the evening.

The next morning, we made it back on the road after breakfast. After passing through some nerve-rattling thunderstorms (Zuzu doesn't like thunder) in Orlando and Clermont, the turnpike led us to I-75. 

It always seems that Zuzu or Tootie will head for the RV door after we pass a rest area. It appeared that Tootie was rather serious about her desire to go outside, so took the next exit and found a grassy area next to a gas station for her pooh pooh emergency. She was much happier post-poop and quickly resumed her nap on the bed.

Zuzu, however, made sure we were safe whenever we stopped. Our fearless Vizsla protecting her rolling home. Good dog!

As we made it further north, the scenery changed and the critters were more abundant. Especially the furry ones with fluffy tails. It has been six months since Zuzu chased her last squirrel. I didn't miss it, but I'm the one at the other end of the leash being pulled towards the tree we can't climb!

We spent our second night on the road in north Georgia near Dalton. It is an expansive rest area with lots of great smells for our canine travel companions. We thought this was a good photo opportunity with the motorhome parked in the background.

We were parked near the dog walk, the place with the BEST smells. Tootie was doing much better with the truck and traffic noise emanating from the other side of the tree line.

Zuzu was always curious about the goings on outside. Tootie, however, was content with her digs inside the RV. Here, she's waiting patiently for her sister to make her observations before they both head back to the bedroom for the next leg of our journey.

We looked forward to stopping at various rest areas along the way to give Zuzu and Tootie an opportunity to take in the new odors and scents. Here, we took a break from the road in the rest area on top of old smokey...or whatever the "mountain" is called just north of Chattanooga on I-24.

Happy dogs!

Very happy and comfortable traveling dogs!

We stopped to feed the RV propane tank and fill the fuel tanks.

Zuzu looks like she's enjoying the trip. It was getting warmer, though. They were spending less time outside and more time in the AC.

After three days on the road, we made it to St. Louis. We'll stay here for a couple of weeks before heading East to the greater D.C. area to visit family. Stay tuned...

Where's Bonnie?

We all went to bed last night expecting to wake up to windy and rainy conditions...instead, the sun was shining, there was a gentle ESE breeze, and the mosquitos were ferociously hungry. Our routine of breakfast, walk down the path, and a cup of coffee while reading the Key West Citizen newspaper on the lanai was uninterrupted.

Around 11:30 AM, when conditions were forecasted to deteriorate, Zuzu and Tootie wanted to go outside a brave the elements. Off to the dock they went to check out the seas...

Hmm, where's Bonnie? She sure is a shy tropical storm. Zuzu and Tootie were unimpressed.
Nay, disappointed I think...

It was a beautiful morning to lounge on the dock and catch some rays...

Resting quietly keeping a lookout for Bonnie. But a lizard caught their eye...

We'll keep looking for Bonnie and keep you posted, if we can stay awake...

Day Before TD #3...TS Bonnie?

The unorganized mess of thunderstorms over Haiti pulled together and decided to begin rotating leading to the development of Tropical Depression #3. Experts say that it will continue to intensify into a tropical storm, it will be named Bonnie, but hurricane development is highly unlikely. Good news for us as the Lower Keys and Key West are in the center of the forecast cone. 

Zuzu and Tootie are relaxed and calm before the storm, or I should say storms since we are expected to have squalls and lines of thunder storms all day Friday with sustained winds blowing near 40 mph and gusts as high as 55 mph. Not great for two thunderphobic Vizslas!

We began preparing the yard for the impending winds, stowing the patio furniture, the trash cans, and anything else that can blow around. We also hoisted the boat (Zuzu and Tootie's floating kennel) out of the canal and placed it comfortably on its foam blocks. She'll be more comfortable there than bouncing around in the canal.

So, for now, it's business as usual for Tootie and Zuzu. Relaxing on the master bed, waiting for their 6pm dinner, walk, car ride, and then retiring to the closet for a windy night.

We'll keep you posted....

Trip to Marvin Key in the SS Go Nowhere

We took Edie up on her offer to follow her out to Marvin Key. We were anxious to lay the track in our GPS, and also thought there was safety or security traveling in pairs. The trip out was uneventful, which is a good thing when boating in shallow waters in the backcountry. Zuzu and Tootie were on leash with Wayne. They stayed outside with Wayne during the first part, but once we passed through Perky's Creek and made our 6 mile journey north towards Marvin Key, the found the soft cushions of the v-berth inside the cuddy much more comfortable.

We anchored the boat. I really should say Edie anchored our boat with our brand new, never been used anchor, and she did a spectacular job! Much better than we could have done. Before anchoring, though, we had a bit of drama. We rested the bow of the boat on the sandbar, Wayne hopped out and took both Tootie and Zuzu. We realized that we would have to turn the boat around and anchor the bow facing into the wind. As I turned the boat around, Zuzu thought I was leaving without her and began to swim after the boat heading towards the stern...Tootie followed. After some tense moments, killing the engine,  and swimming after Zuzu while floating towards Edie's boat, we managed to board the girls, anchor the boat, and start anew. All apprehensions quickly faded with a few chicken gizzards.

Wayne thought I should pose by the boat before it sank....just kidding. I did have a smile of relief, though, that we made it. Now it's play time for the girls.

And play they did. Lizzy and Lola, two Jack Russell Terriers who live on Kingfish convinced their mom, Nora, to go along with Bart, Tyson, and their mom, Capt. Edie.

Lizzy, Zuzu, and Tootie were happily playing chase.

Lizzy loved giving kisses to Zuzu and Tootie. Tootie is so patient.

Wayne was keeping an eye on the canine play action, which consisted of short to long bursts of running and chasing each other around the sandbar. It was interesting to see who would be the "rabbit." After a brief moment of play, they would head over to the bucket of freshwater for a quick drink before taking off in a new direction.

Tootie taking a stroll in the water.

Birds! Yes, Zuzu saw some birds way off in the distance, and was convinced that if she ran fast enough, the birds would still be there when she got there. They ran full speed way out to them, and then played and chased each other back.

Zuzu and Tootie were surprised by the deeper water. Lizzy eagerly followed.

Wayne and Edie were keeping an eye on the dogs while searching for horseshoe crabs.

And once back near the humans, they were still fired up and ready to play.

While on the sandbar, some t-storms began building to the north of us. They were moving away but the rumbles of thunder still made Zuzu and Tootie a bit nervous. They only spent a little time hiding out in the cuddy cabin before playing some more. 

A little later, more rain was moving in to the south of us, and the skies were turning darker. It was time to head back to Sugarloaf Key. 

Zuzu wanted to keep an eye on her friends in Edie's boat behind us. You could hear Bart calling out to Zuzu and Tootie, and Zuzu would answer back.

Here they come. They are right behind us as we navigate out of the narrows and head to deeper water before heading back.

It was a great trip, and the girls had a great time. Once back home at the dock, we had a hard time getting the girls to leave the boat. After their freshwater bath, they headed back to the boat, ready for the next adventure.

Stay tuned...

First Boat Ride - Marvin Key

Marvin Key sits about six miles to the north of Sugarloaf Key. Beyond Marvin Key is the open Gulf of Mexico. For the past five years, our friends, neighbors, and various locals have raved about Marvin Key placing it on top of the list of places to go where you can swim in clear warm water and walk on pristine white sand beaches. We finally made it to Marvin Key, the first time several weeks ago when our neighbor, Edie, invited us along for the ride. She was taking her two dogs, Tyson and Bart, to meet up with friends, both human and canine. We left Zuzu and Tootie at home that day, but on the way back we were making plans to get them to Marvin Key in the near future. Then the winds came, steady 20 knots from the south southeast. Earlier this week we made plans with Edie to make a go of it in spite of the wind, and she was hoping we would bring Zuzu and Tootie.

Below is a map showing where we went in relation to Sugarloaf Lodge. Our house, not appearing on the map, is just south of US-1. To get to Marvin, one has to pass under US-1, traverse Upper Sugarloaf Sound, pass through the creek and cross Turkey Basin making a gentle arc towards the east.

We met on Edie's dock at 9:30am with Zuzu and Tootie. Jacki, who was taking a much needed break from medical school, was along for the ride to help out and to see how beautiful mangrove islands, clear blue water, and unspoiled sandy beaches are in our neck of the woods....or better put...ocean.

Zuzu and Tootie wasted no time hoping into the boat once Tyson and Bart were in. They really enjoyed the ten minutes of idle time as we meandered down the canal and through the cut to the bridge before popping up on plane.

I gave Tootie a little reassurance that all would be fine. We were sure she would have a great time once we arrived.
In spite of the light chop and occasional bumps, Zuzu kept an eye out for birds and wildlife as we crossed the sound heading north to Marvin Key. Tootie kept an eye on us to be sure all was good. We were going with the wind going out, so the bumps weren't as bad. But we wouldn't be as lucky heading back into the wind and waves.

The chain of mangrove islands are in sight. We are almost there!

Once beached on the sand bar, it's time to run and have fun!

And off they go....open land to run free. Happy dogs!
Bart kept Zuzu busy. He's a tireless little guy. Tootie tried to keep up with them. At one point, it was neat to see Zuzu and Tootie work as a team chasing Bart. They all had a great time. Here Zuzu gets some love from Wayne while Tootie shakes sand and water from her ears.

More romping with Bart near the shore in the shallow water. Zuzu and Tootie had the advantage in the water, but Bart proved to be faster and more agile on dry land.

Not sure if this is Zuzu or Tootie, but both didn't stop running the entire morning.

Ahh, that's the spot!
Zuzu and Tootie playing in the water. They are so happy together!

Heading back towards the boat at a slower pace.

But once we reached the sand bar, Zuzu and Tootie took off after some birds at the other end. It was neat to see them run free without fences, boundaries, or a leash to hold them back. They ran at least 1/4 mile to the end of the sand bar without losing sight of us. Once at the end, they played a bit and then ran back towards us.

We left the sand bar and Edie showed us another spot where the beach is a bit smaller and drops gradually off into a channel. It's a great place to chase a ball or learn how to swim. Tootie is a natural swimmer, but Zuzu needs a few more lessons. She hasn't learned to lift her back end and use her back legs. Instead, she thrashes the water with her front legs making more noise and splash than progress.

It was a great morning. Zuzu and Tootie had a great time running and playing with Tyson and Bart on the sand and in the water. They were exhausted. Even the rough ride home didn't bother them. We are looking forward to many more trips to Marvin Key. We think and hope they are too!

Heartworm Treatment

We are in the fourth week of Zuzu's heartworm treatment, and it has been a long four weeks. Zuzu was confined to the office during the day and the master bath/closet where she sleeps at night. She could not roam the house nor run freely in the yard. Zuzu couldn't play, jump on the bed, or run through the house. We had to keep her calm as the medicine slowly killed the heart worms living in her heart and pulmonary artery. Occasionally, Zuzu would cough and gag, evidence of heart worms present in the lungs.

As a result of one rather severe coughing episode two weeks after receiving the injections to kill the heartworms, Zuzu revisited Marathon Vet Hospital for a check-up and consult with the doctor. The vet assured me that Zuzu was recuperating well and reminded me, again, to limit her activity, especially during the first four weeks following the injections. During this period, Zuzu is most susceptible to complications as the heartworms slowly break apart in her blood stream, and she is at the greatest risk of thromboembolism.

During the next two weeks, Zuzu may slowly resume her usual activities. For her, walking around the yard sans leash will be the most liberating.

In the meantime, lounging on the lanai after breakfast.

Hanging out in the kitchen during mealtime...to gently remind me that I'm supposed to feed them!

And back on the lanai after dinner for a quick nap has been a typical day on Sugarloaf Key for Zuzu and Tootie.

Sometimes we would hang out on the driveway for some fresh air...always at the end of the leash, though.

Through it all, Zuzu has recuperated well from her heart worm treatment, and Tootie has been a very supportive sister. We are all looking forward to returning to a normal routine of chasing lizards off leash in the yard, walks down the path on Sugarloaf Blvd., and trips to the Higgs Beach Dog Park in Key West.

Stay tuned...