We’ve been together fourteen years now, since the day my pup was born and my friend Katherine called me to come help with the birthing emergency. Colby, a Portuguese Water Dog,  was one of a large litter delivered by cesarian, and all hands were needed to keep all the puppies fed and cleaned. Over the years, my best boy and I have had many adventures. But this year, it’s the big one: We are on the road together for 10 weeks, seeing a little bit of the world and making some memories. We ‘ll be home for Thanksgiving.

The trip, in a 13-foot travel trailer we like to call “The Doghouse,” will take us to various sites I want to write about for my sabbatical from Norwalk Community College, where I am a journalism professor. But filling in the blanks between those places, Colby and I will be looking for fun, snacks, and maybe a little swimming.  He’s a water dog, after all. And me, I must be a duck.