Well, we've decided to head to southern California for a vacation in the near future. I cannot wait. I'm looking forward to going somewhere just for the hey of it (usually we go to visit relatives in some part of the U.S. - which is great, but also has limited our travel plans somewhat in the past), and I admit that I'm jazzed about taking the kids to Disneyland. They will be 11, 8, and 5 when we go, tall enough for nearly all the rides, and young enough to believe that it really IS Mickey Mouse when they meet him. Sarah is the most excited about Legoland in Carlsbad - that there is an entire park devoted to her favorite Legos is beyond her imagination. I'm not really sure what she thinks it will be like, but I hope it lives up to her expectations. Dave and I are making sure we have plenty of time to relax and do things outside of amusement parks as well - the beach, maybe the SD Zoo, maybe just swimming or reading a book.

Leaving home for a while poses the problem of what to do with our furry friends. We have 4 cats at home, and they're easy. They require food and love, which is easy for Dave's mom to take care of when she gets home from work.

My cocker spaniel Sophie, however, has been my shadow since February when I brought her home from the shelter. She hangs out with Dave during the four days I'm at work, and follows me around faithfully the instant I'm home. As I type this, she is lying on the floor next to me, just happy that I'm nearby. She is definitely "my dog," and would rather be petted than fed, and although she's essentially housetrained, won't go outside unless I'm in sight (I have to remember to take her out every few hours, because she won't take herself consistently). Fortunately, going outside every few hours is good for my disposition, too, so I wouldn't say that I mind. The kids adore Sophie (especially since Sophie doesn't care if they put funny hats on her or play with her ears), and find it funny that she is so attached to me. "She LOVES you, Mom!" (giggle giggle). And Sophie is a nice, quiet walking companion, and gives a lot of love without asking for much in return. It's a relief at the end of the day to sit down with a cup of tea and a warm doggie at my feet.

We thought about bringing Sophie along for the trip - she travels well, and is the easiest and quietest of my 5-year-olds to take in the car, frankly. The trouble is that our destinations are less dog-friendly; Disneyland has kennels, but she'd be in a cage all day, and we'd have to come back to spend time with her during our visit (the Disneyland folks don't touch the dogs, and I don't think she'd be sufficiently cheered by the cute pictures of Lady and the Tramp on the building). The hotels are dog-friendly, but Legoland isn't. Neither is the zoo, neither are certain areas of the beach, nor most restaurants of course. So, Sophie would largely be cooped up all day without us - not fun, and certainly a big guilt trip for me.

So what do you do with a goofy dog who just wants to be with you during your non-dog-friendly vacation? You try to find a substitute "you" for the week. I came across a program called "Sleepover Rover" which places dogs with screened dogsitting families for about what it costs to board at a kennel. Sophie and I are going to go meet Pam and her four bassett hounds today (hopefully Sophie won't be overwhelmed by the "pack"), in hopes that Sophie will get along with her droopy friends and can stay with them while we're gone. I hope it goes well; Sophie is definitely more of a people-dog than a dog-dog; she may not like being surrounded by dogs. If she went to stay with cats, though - we'd be set! (She is absolutely submissive to our four cats, who enjoy ruling the roost perhaps a bit too much!)

Wish us luck!