- Nov 16, 2012
- 1,049
- 106
- Country
- USA
- Bulldog(s) Names
- Jackson, Bogey (granddog) Ruger (granddog)
It's been far too long since I last posted. Our lives have taken some very unexpected turns, and I just could not bring myself to post here, yet I so missed many of the great friendships forged here. I can now give you the latest Bogey update, and I will preface that with HE IS ONE HAPPY DOG!
My last post was about us buying a beautiful RV, and going full-time traveling the country, with a bucket list to golf in every state! We moved into the RV in December 2014, and stayed pretty stationary in Florida, with some short trips around the state to learn how to manage this bus! These trips proved very stressful to Bogey, he hated the RV moving, he hated the sides coming in and out, he hated all the new smells with each new RV park. I convinced myself that it was just that silly bulldog ocd, and he would get used to the travel. Wrong
We left for a 26 state run in May,2015. We drove all the way down to Key West, and started our journey there. We were taking our time coming out of Florida because there was so much we wanted to see. This meant only being in one place fr 2-3 days, then moving on. We could see the stress it was causing Bogey, and I became increasingly concerned that he was not adjusting as we hoped. By the time we got to St Augustine, Bogey became very ill- vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and lethargy. We rushed him to an emergency vet, and he was admitted for severe dehydration. 2 days later, he was released but the vet could not find any cause for his illness other than STRESS! He asked," has anything changed in his life?" I just cried. After alot of discussion, the vet really thought that this RV lifestyle was not meant for Bogey. We sold our home, all our posessions, and planned this journey of a lifetime, not ever thinking it would be so harmful to our Bogey. My son Todd ( who some of you may remember was dealing with some PTSD post Afghanistan,) had moved to Florida to pursue a firefighting career. He asked if he could take Bogey for us, as his roommate Matt had a greatl boxer named Jackson, and he thought it just might settle not only Bogey down, but Todd as well. They spent alot of time together when Bogey was a pup, and Bogey would mope for days after Todd left. I was very hesitant - I felt like I was betraying Bogey, and was ready to just take alot of losses on our investment and go back to square one. That was until Todd drove 4 hours to where we were, and I saw the look on Bogeys face when Todd got out of his car with Jackson. It was pure happiness! Bogey actually cried licking Todd to death! So, after A TON of tears, we let Bogey go home with Todd and Jackson, with the promise that if it didn't work out, we would be on the next highway back to Florida! So, Ken and I cried for the next week straight, couldn't look at ANY dog, but if we happened upon a bulldog, we went to pieces. Hardest thing I ever had to do except send my son off to war!
The happy part of this is Bogey is now a completely different dog! He has gained weight, his digestive issues are a thing of the past, he is healthy, happy, and he and Jackson are inseperable! And the bonus in all of this, my son is also a different person! Bogey has done more therapy for him than any program or help our illustrious VA system offers. I always wanted Bogey to be a therapy dog, little did I know how that would come about!
Of course after this all worked out the way it did, there was no way I would have taken him back when we got back to Florida for he winter! Bogey is happy to see us, but he is attached at the hip to Todd. We miss him everyday, but my heart is so happy when I see the two of them together! We will continue our travels for the next year or 2, and now I realize how unfair it would have been to Bogey to keep him in such turmoil. Bulldogs. Ya gotta love their OCD's!!
I have just now been able to come here and read up on all the old buddies, and read about new ones! Hopefully I can be a more frequent visitor!
Missed you all!!
My last post was about us buying a beautiful RV, and going full-time traveling the country, with a bucket list to golf in every state! We moved into the RV in December 2014, and stayed pretty stationary in Florida, with some short trips around the state to learn how to manage this bus! These trips proved very stressful to Bogey, he hated the RV moving, he hated the sides coming in and out, he hated all the new smells with each new RV park. I convinced myself that it was just that silly bulldog ocd, and he would get used to the travel. Wrong
We left for a 26 state run in May,2015. We drove all the way down to Key West, and started our journey there. We were taking our time coming out of Florida because there was so much we wanted to see. This meant only being in one place fr 2-3 days, then moving on. We could see the stress it was causing Bogey, and I became increasingly concerned that he was not adjusting as we hoped. By the time we got to St Augustine, Bogey became very ill- vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and lethargy. We rushed him to an emergency vet, and he was admitted for severe dehydration. 2 days later, he was released but the vet could not find any cause for his illness other than STRESS! He asked," has anything changed in his life?" I just cried. After alot of discussion, the vet really thought that this RV lifestyle was not meant for Bogey. We sold our home, all our posessions, and planned this journey of a lifetime, not ever thinking it would be so harmful to our Bogey. My son Todd ( who some of you may remember was dealing with some PTSD post Afghanistan,) had moved to Florida to pursue a firefighting career. He asked if he could take Bogey for us, as his roommate Matt had a greatl boxer named Jackson, and he thought it just might settle not only Bogey down, but Todd as well. They spent alot of time together when Bogey was a pup, and Bogey would mope for days after Todd left. I was very hesitant - I felt like I was betraying Bogey, and was ready to just take alot of losses on our investment and go back to square one. That was until Todd drove 4 hours to where we were, and I saw the look on Bogeys face when Todd got out of his car with Jackson. It was pure happiness! Bogey actually cried licking Todd to death! So, after A TON of tears, we let Bogey go home with Todd and Jackson, with the promise that if it didn't work out, we would be on the next highway back to Florida! So, Ken and I cried for the next week straight, couldn't look at ANY dog, but if we happened upon a bulldog, we went to pieces. Hardest thing I ever had to do except send my son off to war!The happy part of this is Bogey is now a completely different dog! He has gained weight, his digestive issues are a thing of the past, he is healthy, happy, and he and Jackson are inseperable! And the bonus in all of this, my son is also a different person! Bogey has done more therapy for him than any program or help our illustrious VA system offers. I always wanted Bogey to be a therapy dog, little did I know how that would come about!
Of course after this all worked out the way it did, there was no way I would have taken him back when we got back to Florida for he winter! Bogey is happy to see us, but he is attached at the hip to Todd. We miss him everyday, but my heart is so happy when I see the two of them together! We will continue our travels for the next year or 2, and now I realize how unfair it would have been to Bogey to keep him in such turmoil. Bulldogs. Ya gotta love their OCD's!!
I have just now been able to come here and read up on all the old buddies, and read about new ones! Hopefully I can be a more frequent visitor!
Missed you all!!
Do you by any chance have a thousand trails membership?
[emoji3]
