You really can’t imagine how much Ruby enjoyed our Thanksgiving trip. First of all, it was the first long drive she’d been on with us. The drive up to Carson City took about 5-1/2 hours. She did fantastically well. She slept on Ruthie’s pillow the entire time, didn’t steal food from the kids, did her business wherever we asked her to, and got along with my parent’s dog to boot! Greg and I have always known that we wanted to travel with kids and dogs — we just didn’t know that the dog would be a 12 lb Rat Terrier rather than a 80 lb Labrador Retriever.
We learned a lot about Ruby on this trip. For one thing, she does not think much of equines — even Formerly Wild Mustangs. For another thing, she absolutely loves to hike — she finds it free and fun and fast and fabulous and fantastic. She is giddy when hiking. She gets along with Ushki, my parents’ grumpy old corgi. He might be grumpy because his name means “little ears” in Russian. Since his ears are patently NOT little, it’s possible that his grumpiness results from supreme irritation. She did great with him and there was only one incident — over a pink, curly hedgehog. And, let’s be honest, what dogs wouldn’t bicker of a pink, curly hedgehog? I mean, come on!
Ruby thinks that we should travel and hike more often. She liked every part of it. She loved driving in the car. She curled up on a lap or a pillow for the entire trip. She was great about eating and drinking in strange places. She was great about going to the bathroom in odd parking lots along the way. She didn’t steal the kids’ food. She doesn’t growl and protect the car in an obnoxious fashion. She loads up as soon as she thinks there is stuff going in the car — no chance of leaving this dog behind! 🙂
She handled the cold well. She’s got next to no coat at all. She shivers in our house, regularly. But, she managed just fine in 10 degrees for potty trips and hiking when it was between 30 and 50 degrees (shade vs sun). We need to find her a nice coat for cold days — I think she’d like that alot!
She is the consummate traveling dog but she did find that being home was pretty nice too.
mother. wife. friend. teacher. writer. reader. photographer. birder. quilter. blogger.
Liza Lee Miller 
Your photos and description of Ruby brought back many fond memories of our rat terrier companion. For almost 15 years, Ace traveled with us and insisted upon leading the way on every hike. Thanks for the post.
God, I love dogs.
Oh, I forgot the best story of the trip. We got to my mom’s and Ruby was so excited to be there that she didn’t want to “get busy” (go to the bathroom) right away. I forgot to take her out again as soon as things calmed down. And, she took care of business on her own — she pooped on Ushki’s dog bed. Sigh. How rude! And, yet, funny and sends him a clear message. No wonder he was grumpy with her! What a naughty, funny, message-sending dog!
What a good girl she was / is!! Your photos are awesome. LOL on your comment – that’s too funny she pooped in the other dog’s bed!!
Ruby is an all around joy, don’t you think? Great around the house, with children, a good traveler – she has it all. And the will to poop in very meaningful places! LOL!