It's a Slippery Slope

This past week, we took a road trip up to Arcata, CA, about 5 hours north of the Bay area (we were checking out Humboldt State University for our older daughter). Luckily, Cabana got to come along on this trip. Here she is at a pit stop we made on the way at Confusion Hill, which is a kitschy attraction along the 101 freeway. I don't know why there was a huge panda statue in their parking lot--maybe that's what causes the confusion at Confusion Hill. Ha ha. Actually, the confusion has something to do with defying gravity and a big shoe...?


Through VRBO, we rented a little place on Arcata Plaza that allows dogs for just a small additional cleaning fee. I was a bit nervous, because you can never really tell exactly what you're getting when you rent a place based on online photos, and doubly so when you rent a place that allows dogs. After all, photos can look deceptive, and smells can't be discerned online. But I was pleasantly surprised by this place--it was impeccably clean, thoughtfully equipped, and simply and tastefully furnished.


Outside our unit was a courtyard area with sculptures made by HSU students. The gates were closed and locked in the evenings, and it turned out to be a great place for Cabana to wander around off-leash.

I don't exactly know what got into us--maybe we were SUPER relaxed or just addled by the long drive. But we actually let Cabana sleep on the bed while we were there!! (It was my husband's idea, of all things.) Cabana has never been invited onto our beds at home, and she has never even attempted to get up on one. But she was pleased as punch to join us this time--she jumped right up and snuggled in. I didn't feel too guilty since Cabana had just gotten a bath before the trip, plus there weren't any instructions saying dogs weren't allowed on the bed, and the duvet cover is washable. Also, we did pay the extra cleaning fee.


So, we broke our no-dog-on-the-bed rule, even if it is just our own rule. And then...further down the slippery slope we fell! On the car ride home, we let Cabana sit on the seats! Usually, she sits on the floorboard behind the driver's seat. But this time, she was happy as a clam in between my younger daughter and me, looking out the window or curling up in a circle.


There's just three words for this kind of behavior:
1. SPOILED.

2. SPOILED.

3. SPOILED!