Mom and Dad are creatures of habit.  Therefore, once a year Asa and I like to shake things up by taking them on vacation.  So last week we surprised Mom and Dad by heading to Acadia National Park in Maine for an adventure!  Now when traveling with Humans, especially Helicopter Dog Parents, it is important to be prepared.  A little preplanning goes a long way in reducing their stress and ours.  Here are a few of our recommendations to fellow dogs to help them plan a perfect vacation with their Humans.

Asa and I spent most of the spring researching the perfect place to stay.  It had to be Human friendly, so that left out most of the luxurious  dog spas and kennels that we found.  I’d love to spend my vacation playing with new dogs, swimming in an indoor pool, and being pampered, but this trip isn’t about me.  It’s about getting Mom and Dad out of the house.  It took some doing, but eventually we found the perfect cottage to rent that was dog friendly, with all the creature comforts we’ve come to expect when traveling, but also included plenty of stuff for our Humans as well.  I’m not sure why Mom puts so much stock into the cottage having amenities like a kitchen and a clean bathroom, but she does, and we aim to please.

Next we had to plan our driving route.  From where we live it takes a little over three hours to get to our destination.  Now Asa and I are perfectly fine with a drive that long, but I know Dad can get a bit fidgety along the way.  So when researching our route, we found a stop midway to get out for a quick scenic walk before continuing on our journey.  This way we could all stretch our legs, take a bathroom break, and feel the excitement build as we headed out on our grand adventure.

Now when vacationing with Humans, it is important to pack familiar items from home.  Items such as a cozy blanket or a favorite DVD help make a new place feel more like home.  Personally, I like to pack my dog bed because one never knows what the sleeping arrangements will be like at our vacation rental.  It has never happened yet, but it is good to be prepared in case there is a no Humans on the beds rule.  Besides, I’m always willing to curl up and share my dog bed with Mom after a long day of hiking.  I also bring along plenty of toys to keep Dad entertained.  That boy just can’t seem to play enough fetch with Asa, so I make sure we have extra tennis balls.

Whatever you do, don’t forget their treats!  We have a saying in our house, “A hungry Mom, is an irritable Mom.”  Therefore when exploring new places it is good to bring along extra treats for motivation in case your Humans are overtired or easily distracted and need help to keep focused.  I suggest packing treats for yourself as well.  Nothing beats the taste of peanut butter dog treats after a fun morning of chasing seagulls on the beach.

My final recommendation is totally up to you.  But I like to give Mother Nature a call before heading off on vacation to alert her about our travel plans.  Now I know what you’re thinking, that is a risky move because Mother Nature and I don’t always see eye to eye.  Well this vacation was no exception.  Would you believe she conjured up Hurricane Jose and aimed him in our direction?  Well luckily for us, Jose calmed down immensely when he reached Massachusetts, and decided to visit there instead.  So by the time Tropical Storm Jose reached Maine all we had to deal with was dense fog and a little rain.  At first I was mad at Mother Nature for not sending us endless blue skies, but now I realize she did it as a favor to us.  Mother Nature wanted to remind us that although it is good to fill Mom and Dad’s vacation with hiking, Hiking and more HIKING, it is also important that we slow down and relax.  After all it is our vacation too, so Mom and Dad would just have to take a break for a day or two while Asa and I enjoy some quiet time.

But enough about Mom and Dad!  We just arrived home from our vacation yesterday, and I still have to sort through all our photos and unpack Asa’s squeaky toys.  Besides, nothing is worse than a dog who insists on barking every single detail of their vacation.  So let me organize my thoughts, and I’ll share with you highlights of our Acadian adventure in the days ahead.  However, right now I need to supervise the laundry.  Vacationing with Humans is a lot of fun, but it also can get very stinky too!