As we round the bend on our cross country journey though the US and Canada, I ask myself the question that has been making brief appearances in my mind these last months.
Are we slaves to our pets, or are they, actually, slaves to us?
What brings this question to the forefront is while camping in the Kootenay Rockies I’m struck by the number of people camping with their severely mentally retarded (is this p.c.?) children. Some must wear helmets to prevent injury, whether self-inflicted or accidental, others scream out unintelligible sounds on a near constant basis.
I think to myself we are so fortunate not to have to deal with this. We purposefully chose not to have children because we didn’t want the responsibility that comes with parenthood. 
Yet, in preparation for our next hike, we ponder whether Roxie can make it today, for she has been limping for the past two days. Kizzy, of course, is limited to short hikes, being 14 and not up to the demands of a strenuous workout.
What to do? We really want to take this hike. Can we leave them alone for several hours? Is it too hot? We have A/C in the camper – so it shouldn’t be a problem. But what about bears? They frequent this area, but the tourist info person told us that barking dogs typically will scare them away.
So we turn on the A/C, put on the sound machine (so they don’t bark at other campers) and lock all food in the trunk of the car.
The hike is beautiful as most have been during our travels. At the turn around point, my mind returns to the pups in the pop-up. Are they ok? Has the A/C broken down and the trailer overheated? I think I may have left some fruit on the counter. Has a bear been more intrigued than detracted by the dogs? Have they torn their way out of the canvas siding to search for us? The inevitable panic sets in as I up my pace making haste for the trailer. Upon return, as always, all is fine and the pups are chillin. Relief. Repeat.
Sounds like you do have, “kids. That is exactly what parents worry about when they are not with them. “Are they OK?” You just chose the furry kind. 😉
Glad the travels are still going great.
Luv ya,
bear and the piggies
Children come in all shapes and sizes. They are not limited to what we create. They often choose us as opposed to us choosing them. It seems as if indeed you are already parents and have the typical worry as most parents do. For some it is the children they give birth too, foster, or adopt. For others it is their nieces and nephews. Others still, it may be the children they care for during the day for others, whether that be nurses, teachers, social workers, day care workers, residential home workers, you name it. And there are those that have the furry kind or animal sort. All of these are children to those that care for them and worry for them. It is not about birthing two-legged children. It is those that we give our hearts to and allow to capture our thoughts and love.
Uh…..not PC….but that’s ok 🙂 I don’t think that dogs are just like children but they can still take the role for us as something to dote over and worry about. I am with you….beloved pets are about all the responsibility I want to sign up for.