Adventures of Quinley: Day Trip To Carpinteria

Hi there friends…Quinley here. I decided to take over the blog today to give my mommy a break. She needs it. I watch her sometimes when she doesn’t see me and the little wrinkles between her eyebrows stay way too long for my liking.

My humans need to take some relaxation tips from me. In fact, often I will sit and stare at them, using my powers of mental telepathy of course, to get them to understand the things I know instinctively.

EAT. REST. PLAY. Repeat!

And guess what? This time it worked! They got my message. I always knew my humans were smart. I’m happy to share they decided to take a break this past Saturday for a day trip to Carpinteria. So after taking me to the park to play with my friends, off we went.

We live in Ventura California, a small beach community an hour or so north of Los Angeles. I know this because my humans take me to run around in the sand and water and it never takes too long to get there. But even if it did take a while, I wouldn’t mind. I love riding in the car – especially when they let me stick my nose out of the window. Wow-wee, so many smells with the wind blowing in my face. It’s the best!

Also, I know how far we are from the place called Los Angeles because that’s where my humans go when those suitcase things come out. You know, the ones that take them away for – doggy heaven forbid – days or weeks. And being the smart fourlegger that I am, (part Poodle and part Golden Retriever), I know when those cases come out my people will start rushing around, throwing things in this bag and that bag and talking about how with traffic what should be an hour drive will actually be two.

Now, I don’t know what traffic is, but if it keeps them away from me for longer, I don’t like it. And I’m not sure why they hurry around so fast, but when these things happen…I do my best to follow them just as fast, smiling and being the best doggy I can. Because maybe, just maybe they’ll take me with them. I mean, they do sometimes and a doggy can always dream, can’t she?

Anyhow, since all of us doggies live “in” the moment, (another thing my humans should take note of), I’m not thinking about traffic or those bags or my humans leaving me. Right now I’m tounge-sticking-out, smile-on-my-face, HAPPY to be with them in the car on our way to this new place I haven’t been to yet called Carpinteria.

Grand-mama is with us as well. I like her a lot as she smells like fresh fruit and cupcakes, and she always loves on me with lots of rubs. Also she talks to me like I’m one of them, like my humans do. She’s my human daddy’s mother and I’ve known her since I was just eight weeks old. She was with my people when they came to take me home. Some people think dogs don’t have long memories, but we do. We remember everything.

Anyhow, Grand-mama’s husband of 50 years or so passed away when I was a sixth month old puppy. I didn’t understand what was happening at the time, but I remember everyone was really sad. I did my very best to cheer them up though. Us doggies are good at that. And since then, my humans try to include her in as much of our fun as possible.

Grand-mama is definitely a “foodie”, and although my humans are semi-foodies, Grand-mama will travel far and wide to experience a culinary interest. I don’t blame her though, my stomach pretty much rules my universe as well.

Naturally the trip to Carpinteria was suggested by Grand-mama to have brunch at a place called the Cajun Kitchen, an eatery that allows doggies on their outside patio. Score! More places need to allow this. There are a few restaurants we’ve been to over the years, (eh-em, Aspen), where the chef even prepared a special meal for me. Double score!

Not today though. They did bring me some water and little goodies, which I’m fine with. Like I said, I’m just happy hanging out with my family no matter where we are. Plus I’m getting lots of attention from passersby, as well as the other restaurant patrons. This attention is something that happens wherever we go, which makes me wonder, “If people love dogs like me so much, why are we not allowed more places?”

I’m thinking the answer to this question might not be an easy one. Maybe a conversation for another day?

After brunch we walked along the street, checked out some shops and strolled down near the water. Quality time where I often see my humans holding hands or with their arms around each other. I like these moments a lot and in fact I usually try to wedge my way between them to be a part of the love.

All in all it was wonderful being out with the family. And of course, as I mentioned above, I got just as much attention walking along the street as I did sitting at the restaurant. I’m not sure what it is about us blonde doggies that makes people swoon. Could be my eternally happy face too. Whatever it is, I’ll take it.

I’d say it was a successful day of fun for all. And I’m happy to share that those wrinkles between mommy’s eyes are nowhere to be seen. I like that a lot!

Until next time…

Your doggy friend,

Quinley