Road Trip
So this was Murphy’s big weekend! The weekend of the PuppyUp walk in Wheaton, Illinois. We’ve never taken Murphy on a road trip before, but he’s good in the car so we were pretty sure that he’d be ok. It’s about a 4 1/2-5 hour drive depending on construction & traffic.
First we had to stop at a local farm stand for a photo op. I noticed that they had a field of sunflowers and I thought it would be a great place to get some beautiful pictures of Murphy.
Then we started driving across Michigan. When we got to the other side of the state, we made a stop for lunch and met up with someone we “met” in the dogs with cancer page on Facebook. Paula had reached out 3 years ago wanting stories & pictures for a Bark for Life. Then the next year updates for another walk. She lost her dog, and has been a big fan of Murphy’s. So of course, since we were driving through her town, we had to stop and say hello.
Then on we went. We did hit a little bit of traffic a couple of times, and Glenn opened the window so Murphy could check things out.
This is Murphy’s first time ever staying in a hotel, and first time going in an elevator! I think he handled the new adventures pretty well. He had lots of visitors – Paula, Linda, Michelle, Sherry, Lori, and Stephanie. He wondered how everyone knew his name when they came in the door! He only barked a couple of times and didn’t have any accidents in the hotel (whew!).
this bed is just for me, right?
The day of the walk was perfect. We met even more Tripawd parents and a couple of their Tripawds – Heather & Joe with Cadence, Christine, Sherry’s husband Greg with Cooper & Sadie (quadpawd), plus our friends from the night before. It was amazing! It was like we’ve known each other forever. These are definitely people I would choose as friends.
There were several vendors there. Murphy (and Cadence) even got a massage from a massage school! There was a drawing for gift baskets. Oh yeah, there was even a walk!
Christine & Angel Otis’ banner
Tribute Leash
Tribute Leash
Nitro & Angel Sassy
Angel Max
Cooper & Sadie
Joe & Cadence
getting a massage from the student
auction item from Tripawds (Thanks Jim & Rene!)
We had such a wonderful couple of days with the most amazing group of people!
A huge shout-out has to go to Christine for all of the hard work she put into getting this group together! Team Tripawds raised over $5,565 of the over $11,890 raised for the PuppyUp Foundation. She raised the majority for our team, as well as donations for baskets and gift baskets that were given to all of us! All of this was done while the past few weeks she was dealing with her own heartbreak. We love you Christine! Thank you for all that you do!
The drive home was nice. Murphy was worn out! He slept pretty much the entire way home. I’m so glad we were able to make this trip. Hopefully it won’t be our last.
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
September 18th, 2016 at 5:33 pm
It was so great to meet everyone. I just wish I could have brought one of mine but I wasn’t so sure how the long car drive and the a/c issue. But I loved meeting Murphy and of course you and Glenn.
The walk was great even though it was a 4 mile or more lol not sure how far but it was more than the 2 we were supposed to do.
I felt like I knew everyone forever.
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
September 18th, 2016 at 5:56 pm
Murphy you have just got yourself another fan – what a great smile. Glad you had a great trip, Donna.
Hugs to Murphy xxxx
September 18th, 2016 at 6:13 pm
Awesome post, your pics turned out better than mine! lol
It was so wonderful to meet my “twin” of chat; I do sometimes think we were separated at birth! It’s like the whole group of us are soul mates, what an amazing feeling. Sure hope we can pull this off again, even if we just try to plan a gathering for us Midwesterner’s. Hugs and kisses to you all.
Paula and Nitro
September 18th, 2016 at 8:00 pm
It really was one of the best weekends ever! Murphy pictures always brought a smile to my face but after meeting him in person I now find I can’t wipe that smile off my face. Bet he was one tired pup by the time he got home. Wonderful meeting you and Glenn and everyone else. It will be a weekend I’ll never forget. I second Paula on doing this again. Great job to everyone (especially Christine) who raised money for this event and to Heather and her hubby for their beautiful display booth of everything “TRIPAWDS related.
September 19th, 2016 at 12:15 am
SO many amazing photos!!! Thank you for sharing with us and making us all feel like we were there… Tripawds get togethers are the best! Thank you to everyone who made this even so amazing and inspiring … forever family!
XOXO
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart
September 19th, 2016 at 3:17 am
LOOOOOOOOVE THESE PHOTOS! Best looking dogs (and humans) on tbe Planet!!
And Murphy, sweet and adorable and handsome smilin’ Murphy, you are I deed a ROCK STAR!! A celebrity is among js!
The picture of you so happy in the field of Su flowers is just beautiful! It’s a happy poctures that just makes you smile 🙂 🙂
But the o e that has me LOL is where you are eyeing your daddy’s burger…or is it your daddtpy eyeing yiur burger?
I love that yiur did some of the walk and tookmpictures of yiurself bringing up the rear!
I KNOW you loved your vacation, well, maybe not the elevator part!
Thanks so much Don a, for sharing these great photos and highlights! If I couldn’t be there, this was the next best thing!!
I see that my Miss Happy Hannah made her presence known in your photo of the Tribute Leash! Glad she could be there to represent! 🙂
Much, much love!
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
September 25th, 2016 at 10:50 pm
WOW! Bravo! Bravo! I can’t even tell you how much we wished we could be there, what an incredible time you all had. It’s amazing that something as heartbreaking as cancer can turn into something so beautiful, but what you experienced there was exactly that. WOW.
I loved seeing Murphy in the elevator! OMG when Wyatt goes in elevators, he panics. Murph, you are a true champ and totally awesome ambassador. May you have many, many road trips ahead my friend. I hope we get to meet you some day!!! xoxo