Chase's first vacation

            We had tossed around the idea of going on vacation for a few weeks before actually deciding that we would.  Once the kids start getting older they don't want to be bothered.  But Tom insisted on going on vacation this year.  And I knew that he desperately needed one.  But I didn't want to go without Chase.  In fact, at first I had planned on staying home with Chase while everyone else went.  Needless to say, Tom did not like that idea.  "There are hotels that take pets."  He told me.  "Look on the Internet and find something."

            We didn't want to go to Seaside Heights again.  We all wanted to go somewhere else.  We decided on Wildwood.  I went on the Internet and found a hotel that accepted pets.  It was called the Surf 16.  I made reservations immediately as we were running out of time.  As I can remember there was only one room available and I snatched it up right away.  We were going away for five fun-filled days in the sun!  And Chase was coming with us!

            When Tom came home from work he would sweep Chase up into his arms.  "In a few short weeks, you're going to be 'Shore Dog'."  Another of Chase's many nicknames, that's another whole story in itself. 

Chase adjusted nicely in his new role of Shore Dog.  He thrived on attention.  I would take him anywhere he was allowed to go.  I even snuck him up on the boardwalk once but a nice police officer told me he had to go.  That cut our day short but we took him for a walk on the street directly before the boardwalk.  Everyone who seen him wanted to pet him.  He was just that type of a dog.  He had such a cute face that everyone wanted to touch him.

We took him to Cape May Beach as they allowed dogs on their beach.  I carried him because the sand was hot under his delicate paws.  We stood at the waters edge listening to the pounding surf.  The day was bright and sunny.  It had been the first day of our vacation.  Little had we known at the time that it would rain for the remainder of our stay.  But we made the best of it.  And with Chase in on the action, there was never a dull moment.