Our weekender at Loyd Park was our first campout without a dog. We said goodbye to our precious little Duke just 10 days ago, but the feeling of loss is still profound. When we started camping in 2013 our canine companions were Gunny, Baxter, and Ranger. We said goodbye to Gunny in March 2014. Then we welcomed Bella and Maya in July. Seeing two Airstreamers walking four chihuahuas was noteworthy, and then we added Duke in October 2018.

We said goodbye to Baxter in June 2022. Then, in 2023, we lost Bella, Maya, and Ranger in quick succession.

It has been a season of sadness.

And now, as empty nesters, we find ourselves adjusting to a new reality. The time, attention, and resources we devoted to caring for our aging pack can now be redirected to other pursuits.

We decided to buy a travel trailer all those years ago precisely so we could travel with our dogs. We didn’t want to board them or leave them in the care of a dog sitter. Rather than travel to overseas destinations, we chose to visit our national parks, dogs in tow. They were with us always. We don’t regret a single moment of our many adventures (well, except for a few ugly screaming episodes as we were trying to get the rig into a tight spot). But our first weekend without a dog has prompted us to re-evaluate our travel plans: how should we spend our “down” time now? Budget our discretionary funds? Maintain a “vacation” home? Our dogs had always figured into that equation.

One thing is clear: Every aspect of our life has changed. We’ve never had a time during our 23 years together without a dog. As we embark on a new chapter of our travel adventure, we do so with the confidence that, in the scheme of things, this time of pain and loss will be momentary. We’ll always carry with us the memory of their devotion to us and our commitment to them. The impact of having had them in our lives will remain with us wherever our next adventure takes us.

We are still the Garinns on the go. Downsized, yes, but not diminished.