Tales and Trails

  October 2023 My beloved Mia, a golden-hearted girl with a spirit far younger than her years, absolutely loved the water. So, I made it my mission to take her to the sea one last time. Our destination? The famous Pluto Beach in Bibione, Italy. But because Mia was already an older lady (11 years young!), I didn't want her to endure a marathon car ride. Senior dogs need comfort, frequent breaks, and a slower pace. So, we turned the journey into a two-part adventure, breaking up the long haul with a pit stop in the Austrian Alps. This trip wasn't just a holiday; it was a thank-you letter to my best friend. Part 1: Austria – The Lake of a Million Sticks We broke the drive in Gmunden , Austria , right on the shores of Traunsee . We stayed in a cute hotel with incredibly friendly staff, and the best part? The lake was literally our front yard. I must have thrown at least a million sticks for Mia to fetch. She paddled happily, refusing to believe that "tired" was a concept...

In April 2012, I found myself technically "homeless." I had sold my apartment and bought a new house, but the timing was... well, imperfect. The house wasn't ready, but I had to vacate my apartment. Rather than panicking or couch-surfing with two dogs, I decided to embrace the chaos. I packed up my car, grabbed my two fur-babies, Bonny and Mia , and turned our housing gap into a week-long escape to the Austrian Alps. We headed for the Salzkammergut region , specifically the area around St. Wolfgang . If you have to be homeless, you might as well do it somewhere with crystal-clear lakes and mountains that look like they were painted. The Accommodation (and a Sad Update) We stayed in a typical Austrian apartment house just outside of town—think wooden balconies overflowing with flowers, hearty breakfasts, and staff who treated the dogs like royalty. Note: I went to link the place for you, but sadly, they no longer accept pets. Since this blog is strictly about dog-friendly...