Overlandnm

They say your dog’s world is only as big as you make it. We’ve always tried to give our pack a good balance—adventures in the wild, belly rubs on the couch, and everything in between.

Maggie has always been our long-haul girl. You could load her into just about any vehicle and she’d be fast asleep before we even pulled out of the driveway. She’s been the calm, steady companion through countless road trips, including several multi-state moves. But she was never much of a hiker—at least not for more than a few minutes.

That changed a couple of years ago. On a camping trip, we noticed something different. Maggie, at ten years old, was excited to hike. Genuinely excited. Now she’s twelve, and completely deaf, but in losing her hearing, she’s gained something unexpected: a deep sense of calm. There’s a peace about her now that she never had in her younger, more anxious years.

We’ve talked a lot about what we want for her in this chapter of her life. One thing kept coming up—Maggie had never had a solo adventure. She’s always traveled with the whole crew. When Andy goes on solo trips, Grizz is his copilot. But Maggs had never had a trip just for her.

So last fall, we made it happen. Just the two of us. I packed up the truck and headed to one of our favorite spots in the Cibola National Forest. True to form, she was asleep before the tires hit the pavement. She didn’t stir until I pulled over to air down the tires, and then she spent the forest roads with her head happily hanging out the window, taking it all in.

We set up camp and took a short hike up onto the ridgeline. She was in heaven—ears flopping, nose in the air, legs a little slower but still strong. Back at camp, we shared a snack, and I tucked her into the rooftop tent for a well-earned nap. These days, the ladder’s too much for her, but thankfully there’s a side entrance from the tailgate. I lifted her in and she was out cold in seconds.

When the summer heat breaks, we’ll head out again for another girls’ trip. Until then, here’s your reminder: take the old dog somewhere cool. Give them something new, even if they’ve seen a lot already. You’ll both be better for it.

Best,

Katie