Paws, People, and Pure Joy

🏕️+ 🐶=❤️

If you had told us that one of our first big RV adventures would land us smack in the middle of one of the largest dog shows in the country, we probably would have laughed, shrugged, and said, “Sure, why not?” After all, life on the road is about leaning into the unexpected, right? But even in our wildest imaginations, we couldn’t have scripted the sheer magic (and fur) of this week surrounded by hundreds—no, thousands—of dogs of every size, shape, bark, howl, and snore.

Now, Ollie—our own resident cuddle giver and loyal travel companion—wasn’t quite sure what to think. His eyes got as narrow and a far away look in his eyes clearly stating, “You seriously don’t expect me to do this..” look.

But AJ? He was in absolute heaven. From the moment we set up camp, he was surrounded by wagging tails and wet nose kisses from furry friends representing nearly every corner of the country. His laughter (and occasional squeals of delight) were the soundtrack of our days, as he met new four-legged buddies who seemed to instantly “get” him.

And here’s the kicker—our RV campsite wasn’t just near the show. It was strategically positioned smack-dab between two of the most fascinating groups of dogs and their humans. On one side? Four majestic Rottweilers, otherwise known as “Good Dog Carl” dogs. (Read Alexandra Day’s classic children’s book about the babysitting Rottweiler named Carl.) These gentle giants were as regal as they come, with the kind of soulful eyes that make you wonder, could they babysit.

On the other side of us? Five Scottish Deerhounds. Imagine a wiry-haired greyhound on steroids—elegant, towering, and just a little intimidating until you realize they’re actually just oversized couch potatoes in disguise. Their humans became instant friends. The kind of “your people” friends you don’t have to try with—you just click. Maybe it was the shared experience of parenting, being fellow Aggie Alumni, or the way they leaned into life’s curveballs with grace and humor, but sitting around the campsite together felt like we’d known them forever. Rooting for their dogs in the ring was pure joy, and cheering when they won was a victory for all of us.

And oh, the cast of canine characters we met along the way! Fizz, the stately Great Dane who walked like royalty. Tank, whose name fit him perfectly. Izzy, James, Zeppelin, Elvis, Navy, Hermione, and Lucy—each with their own quirks and personalities. AJ had a blast keeping track of names, while Ollie gave us his best “please tell me we’re not bringing home a sibling” sigh of relief every evening, intensely investigating the scents of potential affection betrayal.

We connected with people, too—deeply. Around the campfire, stories flowed about parenting challenges, victories both big and small, and the beautiful, messy ways life brings people together. These conversations were the real gift of the week. We weren’t just spectators at a dog show; we were participants in a community bound by love, loyalty, and a whole lot of fur.

So, are we destined for AKC Juniors? Probably not. (Cue Ollie’s audible sigh of relief.) But this week was nothing short of magical. Covered in puppy kisses, surrounded by new friends, and laughing at the antics of dogs big and small, we were reminded once again why we’re doing this. The road has surprises around every bend, and this one was wrapped up in paws, wagging tails, and friendships we’ll carry long after the RV rolls on.

For those keeping score: still stowaway free. No goats. No baby alpacas. No horses. And despite the temptation, no Great Danes, Carl Dogs, or Scottish Deerhounds... yet.

To the friends who opened their hearts and invited us to visit in South Carolina and Atlanta—you know who you are. We can’t wait to take you up on it. Until then, we’ll keep wandering, collecting stories, and raising our hands in our little family tradition:

1, 2, 3... GO ADVENTURERS!