Camp Plaze!

Luc and I made our first Maryland visit shortly after her adoption, so I could attend a wedding. There was no doubt in my mind that I would bring Lucy home with me, but I was anxious about finding someone to watch her for the night I would be with my parents at the wedding on the Eastern Shore. When her Aunt Laura volunteered to host her for the weekend, I was SUPER relieved and grateful, and yet still quite anxious. It was our first period of separation, and I had no idea how Lucy would handle it or, uh, how I would handle it....

Snuggles at my parents' house

Snuggles on the way to Camp Plaze (Laura
and Bob's house)

Happily exploring the AMAZING yard!

And enjoying a good game of fetch 

We instructed Lucy to get out of this plant...

Laura is a MASTER gardener and their yard is gorgeous. We had to keep telling Lucy to come out of various bushes and plants. At some point, Laura gestured to this one particular plant and said, "This is the dog bed plant. Baxter [their dog] and other visiting dogs are allowed to lay in it." As if Lucy perfectly understood what had just been said, she plopped down in the middle of the plant.

"Aunt Laura said I could lay in this bush!"

Any nerves I had about leaving Lucy disappeared when I saw how calm and happy she was with Laura

 But I was THRILLED to receive photo updates throughout the weekend. I definitely was experiencing more separation anxiety than Lucy was!

Apparently Lucy carried around her Lamby (originally given to her by Aunt Laura) and Baxter's bone. 

I should mention poor cousin Baxter, who used to have to put up with visits from my childhood dog, Mickey. Mickey was a difficult house guest for Baxter.... he would take his toys, usurp his bed, and steal LOTS of attention. Now Baxter has to deal with cousin Lucy! But he did so very graciously. 

Lucy was certainly happy to see me when I picked her up on Sunday morning, but had clearly thoroughly enjoyed herself at Camp Plaze. Despite her noise phobia and other anxiety, she really is a very well adjusted dog. Both she and I agree that at the end of the day, nothing matters more than fresh air, good food, and--above all else--people you love and who love you.