Hi, my name is Rusty. I'm a 15 years old Yorkshire Terrier who

loves to camp with my people. My people treat me like I was an only child and that just fine with me. I like the woods. The pine smells are the best as far as I am concerned. Sure I like Colorado, Montana, and Washington State but Flagstaff, AZ in the summer is one of my favorite places. The Ponderosa pines have a wonderful smell that I enjoy a lot. I started out as a pup learning to camp in a tent with my people. I liked sticking my nose out of where the zippers all came together on our tent front door. I couldn't see anything but I could get a good "whiff" of everything that was outside. I enjoyed snuggling in the sleeping bag between my people when I was young. It was fun to do. Since we have all gotten older, the RV is a much better way to travel for all of us. I still prefer to have as much time outside as possible and demand this of my people. I know exactly where the bedroom is in our 5th wheel and I clearly inform my people when I think it is time to go to bed. Because I am small, I can't get on the bed by myself so I convey my desire to go to bed by going to the top of the step and barking until someone comes and lifts me up onto the bed.

During my camping years, I have been to many states including Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah,New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon. Recently, my people have been giving me some new experiences like taking me to the beach. While I don't mind being dipped into the pool at home to cool off during the Arizona summer, I am not much of a "water dog." I did enjoy romping on the beach in Pismo Beach, California, however but that was during the winter when it was too cold to get into the ocean. Being at sea level and walking on the warm sand made me feel like a young pup again. I really enjoyed running around on the beach. The sand was soft on my feet.

In 2003 our family visited southern California and my people found a "Dog Beach" in San Diego for me. When I got to the soft sand I remembered my earlier experience with the sand and I thought it was going to be a fun time. I was walking in the sand just minding my own business when the surf came up fast and a wave hit me pretty hard. That was the first time that I had ever been hit by waves and I wasn't sure I liked it. Although it was August, the water was pretty cold and almost knocked me off of my short little feet! At first I thought maybe I should be mad at my people for this insult! I then looked around and I saw lots of other dogs running in and out of the water, barking and chasing toys and enjoying themselves. I figured if they liked it, then this must be an ok thing to do. I got over being mad at my people. I got used to the waves hitting me as I walked around. Because I am so small, I couldn't go very far into the water like the big dogs. There was no fighting or snapping between dogs - just lots of dogs enjoying themselves, the ocean and romping with their people. The beach even has a special drinking fountain just for dogs. I suggest you take your best friend there too - but skip the bath part!

Dog Beach is adjacent to Ocean Beach near Point Loma in San Diego. As far as I am concerned, the only problem with going there was the bath that I got when we got back to the RV afterward. My people said I had to get all of the salt water off of me so I wouldn't scratch or get a skin irritation. Sounds like a good excuse to give me a bath if you ask me!

If you need further instructions, go to http://www.dogfriendly.com or see Dog Adventure "DOG BEACH". Rusty unfortunately passed away December 22, 2004. He was a great camper and friend and will be sorely missed. Rusty has started the tradition and now we have a female yorkie Angel. She was born April 8, 2005. When she gets a little older she will carry on Rusty's favorite pass time camping. So far I think she will enjoy it as much as Rusty.

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