I’m Luca! I’m an 8 year old Blue Heeler, Australian Cattle Dog. I’ve had a pretty amazing life so far, full of adventures. I was so pumped that mom and dad did this really cool vanlife trip JUST FOR ME. Below you’ll learn all about our Park visits and which ones were my favorites to frolic and sniff around. 

Below are my suggestions on where to take your own fur babies! If I think you should definitely take them, that means pets are welcome almost everywhere and can do plenty of hikes and adventures with you!  If the park is listed under maybe, it’s really depends on how much activity you plan on doing and the weather. If the park is listed in that bad third column, pets aren’t welcome at the park (or have nothing for us to do except walk in a parking lot), mostly for our safety, but still. 

• Dog Blog: I’m a Big Deal

  Dear Diary,

  Despite Mom and Dad leaving me for a month, I’ve been having a great time! I stayed with their friends, Elizabeth and Lauren, while they explored Alaska. Elizabeth assured me they would come back for me, so once I knew that, I had a great time in Bellingham. Actually, I feel bad for my parents; Alaska sounded like a dump with all the stupid bears and no sunsets, while I had lots of fun here. 

  

  I played a lot with Irie, who became a really good friend. I also went biking and running and swimming and terrorized the chickens and sniffed lots of gardens and I turned six years old and took the best naps in the sunshine. Like I said, it’s been a totally awesome month. I think I shed a few lbs too… I look like I’m a young 3 again, not my middle aged self. 

  

  When Mom and Dad showed back up, I was so happy though. I used to worry a lot that they wouldn’t come back for me when they would leave me with other people. I’d even punish them and not give them any kisses or snuggles for a week or so when they would come back. Buttttt…. they’ve always come back for me, so I didn’t withhold my love this time. 

  We just left Olympic National Park and guess what? I’m a certified BARK Ranger now! I worked really hard for it; I had to go into the visitor center with mom, get my photo taken (I looked super handsome), and pledged to BARK. (Bag my poop, Always wear a leash, Respect wildlife and Know where I can go).

  I’m a really big deal. People know me now.

  gotsta go! Need to stick my head out the window while Dad drives.

  Love,

  Luca

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

   

• Dog Blog: Did They Leave Me?

  Dear Diary,

  I had a great couple weeks with Mom and Dad! We went to so many parks that I’ve taken poos in. I haven’t been able to always get out of the car because the bears are scared of me, but I’ve gotten lots of air-sniffing-out-the-window time! Mom also bought a chuck-it, and it’s my job to go get the ball. I’m really good at it and I take my job super seriously.

  

  We visited a friend named Luke who had the most wonderful home; it was like a rainforest and I peed on all the different plants and flowers I could find. There were two cats there that were a little scary though. 

  

  And then we got to another friend’s house; Elizabeth and Lauren’s. I was having a great time; getting all the pets from all the humans around and sniffing the chickens and giving kisses to the good girl of the house, a catahoula mix named Irie. 

  BUT THEN MOM AND DAD LEFT AND THEY HAVEN’T COME BACK FOR ME AND I HATE THEM AND IF THEY COME BACK, I’M NEVER TALKING TO THEM AGAIN. THEY ARE THE WORST. 

  Sorry, diary about the wet spots. Just a few tears along with my rage. 

  Okay but for real, I super miss them and hope they come back soon and don’t forget me. I’m gunna go snuggle with these new humans to make myself feel better… and it makes Irie jealous, so win win. 

  Love, 

  Luca

  

   

• Dog Blog: On The Road Again!

  Dear Diary,

  After a long winter break, we’re finally back in the road again. 

  It was a little hard to leave Xena… mostly because she wanted to try the long distance thing. But I was like “girl, I gots things to do, and I need to get my scent everywhere, if ya know what I mean.” 

  

  Mom and Dad sold the van/my big kennel on wheels! They got a nice red truck (why are they obsessed with red??) though where we’re all close together. And when we sleep, it’s some real nice snugglin. I give it a week though before Mom makes Dad go bikecamping for a night.

  I’m so happy to be back on the road. I got to stick my head out the window for hours and soak up that wind and all the scents, run around (which I need to do…. I put on a few lbs this winter…) and am now falling asleep in this beautiful place they call the Badlands. 

  

  All in all, life is pretty grand right now! I heard we’re heading to Alaska, but for some reason Mom and Dad stop talking about the plans when I come into the room… I wonder what that’s all about. I’ll keep you posted, Diary!

  Love,

  Luca 

  

   

• Dog Blog: Cinco

  Dear Diary,

  I’ve been with my hoo-mans for FIVE years now. They keep saying cinco to me,
  “to celebrate” which is a little annoying, but I’ve been obliging them because I’m a very good boy.

  I was first adopted by another family, right from under Mom and Dad’s noses, but then that family brought me back because “I wasn’t good with kids.” (Total lie, I’m the best with kids – I just had lots of energy as a pupper). My first day with Mom and Dad, we went to Bent River Brewery and celebrated St Patrick’s Day! I’m not quite as cool and can’t hang as well as I used to – so today we celebrated at the dog park and then took a super long nap. 

  

  It’s been a wild ride filled with all my favorites things; pets, treats, naps, and playing. I’m so dang happy that I’ve gotten to adventure with my favorite people for these past five years. I love you Mom and Dad!

  Love,

  Luca

  

• Dog Blog: My New Girlfriend

  Dear Diary,

  OMG I have so much to tell you. It’s been so long since I’ve written but soooo much has been going on and I’ve been busy. 

  

  Mom and Dad decided to move to Colorado because the lady I fell in love with is here. Her name is Xena and she lives with these humans named the Eliases. They’re wonderful. They make food and have so many toys and Xena is here! She’s the most beautiful chocolate dog who is sometimes like my sister, but sometimes I smell her butt. It gets weird. 

  I love it here. I have a fire place to lie by, with the most comfortable bean bag dog beds. I get to lay with Xena and I get pet by all the humans. Mom takes me running with Xena and she yells a lot about us pulling her too much… to be honest, it’s mostly Xena pulling her because I’m out of shape, but I pretend I’m as fast as Xena. I’m telling myself it’s the altitude here, but it’s probably also because I love eating treats and lounging more than working out, just like Mom! 

  There are only a couple downsides while being here. One – Mom and Dad are constantly working, which means they have less time to pay attention to me. They tell me it’s because they love me and want to put food in my bowl. Psh. Second – the dog next door. What. A. B***h. She always barks at me when I’m just outside in the backyard, making my business. Silly girl. 

  Anyway, it sounds like a cheese package is being opened… gotta go!

  Love,

  Luca

    

• Dog Blog: I Feel Blue

  Dear Diary,

  It’s been awhile, I know, but I just haven’t felt like writing. To be honest, I’ve felt a little down. We’ve been constantly moving around, but I haven’t felt like I have my own home or space right now. 

  

  That’s not to say that I haven’t been having some fun. I have played with some pups (was I that annoying and energetic when I was young??), Lincoln and Rush. I’ve also gotten some butt sniffs and growled at by the old dogs, Fizz and Boo. And of course, I have gotten lots of pets and belly rubs from my parents friends. 

  But I miss the van. And my kennel. Some place that I could call all mine and not have to share it (except Mom and Dad occasionally). I’m so anxious that I can’t stop itching my belly and chewing at my butt. It made Mom and Dad worry that I had fleas (I don’t) or allergies (nope). Mom even took me to the groomer just in case it was dry skin (it wasn’t… but I look damn good with this festive bandana). 

  Sorry to be such a downer, diary. Just really hope to feel at home again soon. 

  Love,

  Luca

• Dog Blog: Home Sweet Home?

  Dear Diary,

  So remember when I said I think we live in Maine? Well, as always, I was right. Even though we left briefly, the van part that Dad got fixed here broke off the van, and so we came back to stay at Auntie April’s house while it gets fixed. However, we’ve been here waiting for like a month (although it feels like it’s been closer to 7 months to me, why is that?) so I’m pretttttty sure I can call this place my home. Everyone even knows I’m the alpha here now. 

  

  I’ve done some epic things here too. After we hiked all around Shenandoah in Virginia and came back to Maine, I’ve ran all around the “Grand Canyon of Maine,” taken the BEST naps with my auntie, befriended a cat (okay, sometimes she tries to claw me), gotten dangerously close to the campfires, and impressed everyone by getting INTO the water (now everyone knows it’s not just the big newfie dog that can do it). 

  

  Mom an Dad have been talking about leafpeeping being soon and how we’ll probably still be here. Not 100% sure what that is, but it sounds like I’l get to pee on everything, so I’m IN.

  Gotta go. I hear a plastic bag being opened. Hopefully it’s cheese, or just garbage. 

  Love,

  Luca

  PS: Still got it! Getting all the pets from all the humans, no matter where I go. 

  

• Dog Blog: That Shedding Life

  Dear Diary,

  Remember how people said I had gained weight? Well, I found the best way to trick the humans into thinking I’m losing weight! Shedding! My hair, that is. My feelings were a little hurt when they said I was bigger now, but I have the last laugh now. Mom and Dad are so distracted with trying to clean my fur up that they aren’t even paying attention to my diet anymore! I shed my fur everywhere I go or anything I touch: their (our) bed, the seats, the floor, all of their clothes, and it even gets in their food and bags and dishes! Ha HA!

  

  I’m also working out a bit more too, which I guess is helping. I didn’t realize how out of shape I had gotten, lounging in Big Red this much. We went to Shenandoah National Park, which is one of the good ones because they let me go most places with my parents. But we went on a few hikes and I was struggling to keep up, even with Mom! Kinda embarrassed by that. 

  Not sure where we’re off to next, but I hope I get to play more outside. For now, I gots to go beg for some snacks. And if they say no, I’ll just blow out some more of this fur in their breakfast. 

  Love, 

  Luca

  

• Dog Blog: We Live Here Now

  Dear Diary,

  We’ve been in Maine forever now. Apparently Dad is waiting for yet another van part. But I don’t mind! This place is great. There is plenty of room for me, I get so many pets, and I can play outside all the time!

  

  There is a great big Newfoundland named Ella that is okay… she gets mad at me when I try to eat her food. Just cause she’s all big, she thinks she can be the boss, psh, whatever. There’s also a cat in the mix now that I don’t think likes me very much. 

  We’ve been to the Cove which is one of Mom’s favorite places. I still don’t like the water all that much though, so I just attacked that dangerous seaweed on the rocks. We’ve headed to Belfast where Nanna lives – last time I was there, I went on a solo adventure! Nanna didn’t like that though, especially when the cop followed me home. We’ve mostly been staying at our aunties houses – she has one in the woods, and another even more in the woods. Like I said, Maine is the best!

  Love,

  Luca

   

• Dog Blog: On The Road Again!
  Dear Diary,

   

  We’re back the big red kennel! I have no idea where we’re going but my humans keep singing “On the road again, going places we’ve never been,” so that’s exciting… minus their singing voices. They are NOT good at singing. 

   

  

   

  When we were home this summer, a few people pointed out I had gained weight. How terribly rude of them, amirite? Mom and Dad sadly agreed and decided to put me ON A DIET. While they’re eating pizza and ice cream, they tell ME I need to lose a few lbs? I’m basically wasting away to nothing…. luckily, my old pal Stout would help me sneak up into his room and eat his dinners. His mom is much nicer and gives him snacks so he doesn’t always eat all his food bowl. 

   

  

   

  The bad thing about the van is that Stout is not here so this diet is here to stay. But at least Mom and Dad aren’t eating all the good things now, taunting me. I’ve heard them say they’re trying to not eat snacks… we’ll see how long that lasts. 

   

  Mom gave me a brushing at this park too. They say I shed too much… but I don’t see them wearing two coats in this humidity. Pups gotta do what pups gotta do. 

   

  We’re getting back in the van… gunna go take a nap now!

   

  Love, 

  Luca