I am on vacation right now, and as always, I cannot help comparing it to vacations with Toby. Travelling now feels simple. Travelling with Toby never was.
Stephanie and I used to joke that we did not plan our vacations.
We planned Toby’s vacations.
Everything had to be dog friendly.
Everything had to be comfortable for him.
Everything had to fit his needs and his royal expectations.
Because in Toby’s mind, he was a Caniche Royal, and royalty did not compromise.
Hotels were complicated.
Restaurants were limited.
Activities were restricted.
Even the car ride had to reach specific Toby standards of comfort.
Vacations were not cheap.
They were not simple.
They were definitely not without adventures.
So we always ended up in the same kind of place.
A chalet.
Somewhere remote in Quebec.
Surrounded by nature.
Isolated.
Quiet.
Perfect for humans who wanted to rest.
Except we never actually rested.
The idea was to disconnect and recharge. The reality was that Toby had his own plans. Every new sound, every new scent, every blade of grass, every pine tree and every passing animal was a grand opportunity for excitement.
Toby explored every inch of the chalet grounds. He sniffed every corner, inspected every log, and monitored the forest like a very enthusiastic park ranger. He barked at birds. He stared at squirrels. He trotted around with the confidence of someone who believed he owned the land.
Inside, he rearranged himself on every sofa, carpet, and bed he could find. He acted as if the chalet had been reserved solely for him. And in a way, it had.
Stephanie and I always went with the hope of relaxing.
Toby always went with the goal of living his best life.
Vacations for us became long walks, early wake-ups, spontaneous emergency trips to pet stores, constant supervision, and endless laughter. Whatever peaceful, romantic, restful getaway we imagined never happened. But something even better did.
Toby had a blast.
He loved the change of scenery.
He loved the new smells.
He loved the freedom.
He loved having both of us with him, together, in a place that felt like an adventure.
Looking back now, those trips were chaotic and expensive, but they are some of my favourite memories. We did not recharge the way we planned. We recharged in the way Toby decided.
And honestly, that was enough.
Classic Toby.