A Trucker and His Dog

Yooper Stewart & Lady Cakes

Once upon a time, Yooper Stewart met Super Cooper. Yooper Stewart wasn’t happy about Super Cooper because Yooper Stewart had recently said good-bye to his first love, Lady Cakes.

Mrs. Yooper Stewart, however, loved Super Cooper, so he stayed … and Yooper Stewart fell in love. Then YS hit the road as an over-the-road trucker, and he disappeared for weeks at a time. Super Cooper didn’t understand what was going on — where did Daddy go? When would he be home? How many times could he lick Daddy before he disappeared again?

SC made the best of his Daddy-less life by guarding shoes, sleeping with slippers, and keeping an eye on Mommy. Until the day Mommy decided to take a vacation.

She needed to find someone to watch SC. Normally, she took him to Camp Grandma where he got lots of snuggles and learned how to entertain himself by dropping a ball down the basement steps, then running down to retrieve it. But this trip was special (her first time to Jamaica!) so she decided SC needed a special trip. After making a few phone calls, she surprised SC with his ultimate adventure — a trip in Daddy’s truck!

SC didn’t know what was going on. Daddy was getting ready to leave (again), but he let SC jump in the car before he left. And then Daddy didn’t make him get out. And then Daddy took SC on a car ride! After two hours in the car, they got into an even BIGGER vehicle! It felt just like home — a big, soft bed, pillows, treats, a doggie bed. Exciting!

Yooper Stewart took Super Cooper through Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Missouri, and Arkansas. They spent most of their time in the truck, but SC quickly figured out the difference between stopping and stopping when setting the air brakes (FYI — when YS sets the air brakes, SC gets out of the truck!). They took daily walks together, cuddled at night, and — of course — YS introduced SC to dozens of people who agreed that he’s just about the cutest dog in the whole world.

YS didn’t get as many photos as I would have liked, but here’s a quick look at a little dog in a big truck:

Day 1 – 0 miles – so excited!

Meeting new friends in Tennessee. Mara LOVES Cooper!

Taking a “dog” nap in a dog bed. Many hours spent in this position!

“Dad…why did you take my bone? Where’s my bone, Dad?”

If you feel like you’re being watched…

…you probably are.

 

Super Cooper’s haul back to Michigan!

Yooper Stewart left the truck to get some paperwork. Suddenly the horn started honking!

I wonder why…

 

After 3400 miles…

After 3600 miles, Super Cooper was beat!