Remy’s First Time Tent Camping

[remy]

We had this trip planned for awhile but had to keep postponing it due to bad weather. Thanks hurricane season lol. I was so happy that the weather was perfect this time! It was supposed to just be 2 nights to see how he did but we did need to leave sort of abruptly last night. I’ll add more about that in a reply to this, I don’t want to take away from the trip itself.

Day one:
We wanted Remy to burn off a little energy before we set up the tent (5 hour car ride to get there) so we walked around the visitors center.
The campsite. They changed it around a little, the tent site used to be in the far back where the picnic table and fire pit are. I’m not really sure why they moved everything as that was the flattest and “cleanest” (no rocks) part of the site. I don’t have any pictures from there but we walked to see some waterfalls and hang out before it got dark.
Getting ready for bed.
And he’s knocked out... It was funny because he was laying against me with his head up, then sort of twitched, his head laid flat against the bed and that was it.

About 2am we started to hear coyotes. Remy either didn’t hear them or didn’t care at first, but after a few howls from them he got up. He did that low grumbly growl/bark a few times but it was very quiet so I wasn’t worried he would disturb anyone. The problem was the coyotes carried on for at least 30 minutes and he was just too alert to go back to sleep. We decided to sleep in the car for a little bit since they wouldn’t sound so loud and he’d settle quickly in the crate. We ended up staying in there until 6ish am.


Day 2:

The angle of this picture is so funny to me. He started sucking on my sleeping bag but since he wasn’t trying to tear it I just let him.
On the lookout.
“Can I have your breakfast?” Since I ignored him sitting there he started waving at me. That’s his favorite trick to try and get what he wants haha. We hung out at the camp for a little longer than usual because we didn’t sleep well, then headed out to another park to hike. He loved jumping up onto the rocks.
Back at the campsite and just hanging out. I was in the hammock. “Can I come up?”Drove here to sit and enjoy the view for a bit. Hanging out before we have dinner. Not sure if it comes across well, but there were soo many stars!It was a fun trip and Remy did so well! I was worried hearing all of the noises at night would bother him, but except for the coyotes he didn’t care one bit.

 

[remy]

I have Type 1 Diabetes and wear an OmniPod (insulin pump). You wear it for 3 days until it expires then change it out for a new one. Mine expires around 10pm so I headed to the bathroom to change it. As I was filling the bottle with air before getting the insulin out, the bottle literally flew off the needle and landed on the ground, instantly broke and all of the insulin spilled out. It was a brand new bottle too… I’ve had T1D nearly my entire life and this has never happened. Since the first OmniPod was off and I now had no insulin, it then became an emergency situation. You’re not supposed to be without it for more than an hour. After that you’ll start to get ketones which makes you feel awful (vomiting etc), and if it progresses to DKA you’ll end up in the hospital for a few days. This has happened before and it is NO fun.

Thankfully there was internet so I found a 24/7 pharmacy but the closest one was an hour away. Since it was already 10pm and the pharmacy was in the direction of going home, we decided just to pack up and leave. We took the whole campsite down as soon as we could and by 10:30 we were headed out. Fast forward an hour later and thankfully we were able to get the insulin! We got home around 3:30am.

 

[Rits]

Wonderful pics and looks like Remy is the perfect camping partner!!

the bottle literally flew off the needle and landed on the ground, instantly broke and all of the insulin spilled out.

Of all places for this to happen at too! That couldn't have been cheap. Glad you were able to leave quickly! Has Remy ever alerted or needed to alert for low insulin or does your pump stay pretty dialed in? I know the ketones can be smelled on the breath.

 

[remy]

Wonderful pics and looks like Remy is the perfect camping partner!!

He is! Before I knew of/became interested in all the sports that’s what I wanted to do with him, so I couldn’t be happier.

Has Remy ever alerted or needed to alert for low insulin or does your pump stay pretty dialed in?

Not that I can recall, but I’m assuming he must be able to smell the difference. When I first took him to puppy classes the trainer was really impressed with his temperament and I remember her saying “you can do anything you want with him” lol. She said I could teach him to differentiate/alert to changes in my blood sugar but I never did. I also wear a Dexcom (continuous glucose monitor) that gives a reading every 5 minutes, so although Remy may be able to tell something is changing he obviously can’t give an exact number like the Dexcom can. Maybe one day I’ll teach it just for fun.

I know the ketones can be smelled on the breath.

Yes, it’s pretty strong too. If someone with ketones were talking to you, you’d be able to smell it on their breath. It’s sort of fruity smelling.

 

[LifeofRubie]

Man... we've had to abruptly end our fair share of camping trips and it's always a bummer but, luckily, it's never been for medical reasons. I'm glad you were able to take care of yourself before it became a super duper emergency!

Sounds like Remy did great and had a good time! Even if they did move things around a bit, that is a killer campsite! I often toil over our site and the layout (it's a weakness).

There is nothing like having no 'real' time line or agenda when camping and just going with the flow and whatever you feel like. Even better when our campsite doesn't have phone service beautiful pictures!

 

[remy]

Even if they did move things around a bit, that is a killer campsite! I often toil over our site and the layout (it's a weakness).

Yes, it’s a really good site! We used to stay at one across the street and I scoped out this one when I was there last year. The other site is just okay but it’s much smaller and less private, so not really ideal for when Remy comes along. The are two sites on one side but since most of our campsite was set far back it was still pretty private. You can see our “neighbors” van in the picture with the fire. No one was across the street in our old spot and the opposite side and behind us is just woods for awhile, then some more sites but they are sort of below.

There is nothing like having no 'real' time line or agenda when camping and just going with the flow and whatever you feel like. Even better when our campsite doesn't have phone service beautiful pictures!

Agreed!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

He's so good looking! Nothing like a faithful Dobe on a camping trip. Those were some of the best times I had with Oji. It's strange how such a manmade breed can seem so in their element in nature.

Now, with our Dobe before him, named Dax, we learned on a tent camping trip that he was freaked out by small spaces. When I came to bed and joined daughter and wife in the tent, Dax would not lay down. I soon noticed he had stiffened up. I couldn't see his face really, but he was very tense. I got us out of there and went to sleep in the car which was a short hike away. We didn't realize the danger we were in in that tent.

 

[LifeofRubie]

I scoped out this one when I was there last year

We have a running list of ideal campsites for each campground we've visited for 'next time' Mighty useful!

 

[JanS]

Looks like a great time in a beautiful place and that photos are great too! That's pretty inconvenient about the insulin but it's great you found some in time and were able to get it.

 

[Ddski5]

To me…Doberman camping or gallivanting around can be so stressful and then it’s not. You want everything to go just right with no issues and when you settle in and realize this is gonna be fun, all worries dissipate.

Seeing them enjoy themselves within discipline, is so enjoyable and rewarding.

It looks like y’all had a wonderful time, congrats on a successful trip. Great pictures!

 

[jazzies mum]

You did score a great campsite and Remy behaved appropriately for the situation. I would be worried if a Dobe DIDN'T react to critters about the place and he'll learn to quiet when asked after the first alert.
Love the beautiful hikes you have there and the gorgeous scenery! I'm soooo envious!
And all's well that ends well. The unexpected hiccups are part of the journey, although it seems to be mostly weather or mechanical related for me.

 

[BGpa]

We had this trip planned for awhile but had to keep postponing it due to bad weather. Thanks hurricane season lol. I was so happy that the weather was perfect this time! It was supposed to just be 2 nights to see how he did but we did need to leave sort of abruptly last night. I’ll add more about that in a reply to this, I don’t want to take away from the trip itself.

Day one:
We wanted Remy to burn off a little energy before we set up the tent (5 hour car ride to get there) so we walked around the visitors center.
View attachment 150453The campsite. They changed it around a little, the tent site used to be in the far back where the picnic table and fire pit are. I’m not really sure why they moved everything as that was the flattest and “cleanest” (no rocks) part of the site. View attachment 150454View attachment 150455I don’t have any pictures from there but we walked to see some waterfalls and hang out before it got dark. View attachment 150456
Getting ready for bed.View attachment 150457
And he’s knocked out... It was funny because he was laying against me with his head up, then sort of twitched, his head laid flat against the bed and that was it.

About 2am we started to hear coyotes. Remy either didn’t hear them or didn’t care at first, but after a few howls from them he got up. He did that low grumbly growl/bark a few times but it was very quiet so I wasn’t worried he would disturb anyone. The problem was the coyotes carried on for at least 30 minutes and he was just too alert to go back to sleep. We decided to sleep in the car for a little bit since they wouldn’t sound so loud and he’d settle quickly in the crate. We ended up staying in there until 6ish am.
View attachment 150458

Day 2:

The angle of this picture is so funny to me. He started sucking on my sleeping bag but since he wasn’t trying to tear it I just let him. View attachment 150459
On the lookout. View attachment 150460
“Can I have your breakfast?” Since I ignored him sitting there he started waving at me. That’s his favorite trick to try and get what he wants haha. View attachment 150461View attachment 150462We hung out at the camp for a little longer than usual because we didn’t sleep well, then headed out to another park to hike. View attachment 150463View attachment 150464View attachment 150465View attachment 150466View attachment 150467He loved jumping up onto the rocks.
View attachment 150468Back at the campsite and just hanging out. I was in the hammock. View attachment 150469“Can I come up?”View attachment 150470Drove here to sit and enjoy the view for a bit. View attachment 150471View attachment 150472Hanging out before we have dinner. View attachment 150473View attachment 150474View attachment 150475Not sure if it comes across well, but there were soo many stars!View attachment 150476It was a fun trip and Remy did so well! I was worried hearing all of the noises at night would bother him, but except for the coyotes he didn’t care one bit.

Beautiful pics!

 

[Rits]

I also wear a Dexcom (continuous glucose monitor) that gives a reading every 5 minutes, so although Remy may be able to tell something is changing he obviously can’t give an exact number like the Dexcom can. Maybe one day I’ll teach it just for fun.

Certainly couldn't hurt to teach him for fun and as an added backup in case the devices were to fail for some odd reason! He really has a nose for odors so the foundations are already there

 

[Ravenbird]

As I was scrolling the photos I kept thinking how Remy matched all the fall colors around him! Beautiful colors!

 

[Kaiser2016]

Beautiful fall colors and of course Remy is icing on the cake! Love how coordinated his PJs are with his environment and tent. The pic with the steps is my fave, very fairytale like.

 

[Two Dobes]

Wonderful photos! Looks like a great trip before your emergancy....so thankful you had cell service! He is beautiful, and you guys are adorable together!

 

[MichiH]

I have Type 1 Diabetes and wear an OmniPod (insulin pump). You wear it for 3 days until it expires then change it out for a new one. Mine expires around 10pm so I headed to the bathroom to change it. As I was filling the bottle with air before getting the insulin out, the bottle literally flew off the needle and landed on the ground, instantly broke and all of the insulin spilled out. It was a brand new bottle too… I’ve had T1D nearly my entire life and this has never happened. Since the first OmniPod was off and I now had no insulin, it then became an emergency situation. You’re not supposed to be without it for more than an hour. After that you’ll start to get ketones which makes you feel awful (vomiting etc), and if it progresses to DKA you’ll end up in the hospital for a few days. This has happened before and it is NO fun.

Thankfully there was internet so I found a 24/7 pharmacy but the closest one was an hour away. Since it was already 10pm and the pharmacy was in the direction of going home, we decided just to pack up and leave. We took the whole campsite down as soon as we could and by 10:30 we were headed out. Fast forward an hour later and thankfully we were able to get the insulin! We got home around 3:30am.

Wonderful pictures! He is so darn handsome love him! You also had great weather!

So sorry that happened with your pump that is beyond stressful and sure to cause a lot of stress. I am happy you were able to get to a pharmacy asap and get your insulin. I’m sure you don’t feel so great after all that stress. Hope you got some sleep after all of that.

My husband also wears the OmniPod late onset for him been 11 years with it now. I feel
for you as we’ve had many stressful situations regarding his Type 1.

I do think it’s really cool you go on so many adventures regardless of it. I can’t get my husband to go too far, which I understand, but it’s a bummer.

 

[remy]

So sorry that happened with your pump that is beyond stressful and sure to cause a lot of stress. I am happy you were able to get to a pharmacy asap and get your insulin.

It was definitely stressful! There was internet (which they didn’t used to have in the campground) so I was able to find the pharmacy, but I had to drive about 20 minutes before there was cell service and I could check that they actually had the insulin. I’m just thankful I was able to get there relatively quick. Luckily my blood sugar was on the lower side of normal so it wasn’t too high by the time I got to CVS.

My husband also wears the OmniPod late onset for him been 11 years with it now. I feel
for you as we’ve had many stressful situations regarding his Type 1.

I do think it’s really cool you go on so many adventures regardless of it. I can’t get my husband to go too far, which I understand, but it’s a bummer.

I think it is a lot more difficult for people who were diagnosed later in life. I was diagnosed when I was 4 and it may sound funny to say, but I’m thankful I was so young. It makes everything much more “normal” since I can’t remember life without T1D. There can definitely be stressful moments though and I have some crazy stories, especially when I was younger lol.

 

[MichiH]

You handled it very well! Yes, makes sense as a later diagnosis as its all very new still.

Glad it all went well and you still had a great time!