Yesterday the weather forecast was snow, sleet and generally very bad conditions. So instead of driving to a family gathering in London (a couple of hours drive), we decided to go by train. Jessie had her first train trip a month or so ago and Georgie is a very experienced train traveller so we set off.
The journey up was smooth even though we had two changes to deal with.
Georgie ‘worked’ the carriage:
People can’t seem to resist her – not everyone obviously – but these nice people from Chester enjoyed her company and Georgie got some free head massages and lots of tickles. (sorry about the white hair on your coats!)
Jessie stayed with Mark looking on from a safe distance under the chair:
The way back however was a completely different story!
A one hour forty minute journey turned into a four hour trek. Engineering work plus all sorts of other ‘train’ problems (tracks, signals, lines etc) meant loads of cancellations and VERY crowded trains. Imagine London rush hour on the tubes – obviously not ideal for dogs.
Anyway, the platforms we stopped on had fresh rainy puddles for refreshment (Mark and I had proper drinks obviously) and people were friendly and stoic.
Here’s one of the carriages:
Mark was sitting on the luggage rack and I was on the floor with the dogs.
We weren’t so lucky on the next stretch – standing for 45 minutes with people coming on and off the train. Jessie played ‘peeka boo’ with a yound child between the grown ups’ legs and Georgie – well yes, she found someone who tickled her almost the whole stretch!
Here’s the last photo. In spite of legs and suitcases all around, Jessie found a spot to have a sleep!
For a dog who had very limited experiences when she came to live with us, Jessie’s doing so well. Both dogs did brilliantly although if I’d known what kind of journey it was going to be, I probably would have risked the ‘dangerous’ driving conditions (as it turned out there was no snow on our stretch at all.)
When they got home, we took off their leads, collars and harnesses and they had a good old wrestle in the front room. Lots of steam was let off – and then they slept . . .
zzzzzzz
I cannot imagine taking both dogs on the train .. maybe one at a time for a short distance, but you two are very very brave!
Well we had lots of treats, lots of poo bags and Jessie wore her Citronella Barking Collar so we were armed and ready. I figure it’s good for them to get used to as many different situations as possible. But to be honest, we could have done without the journey back on Sunday.
you can take dogs on the train?! Clearly, I am living in the wrong country.
I wish we could take dogs on the trains here. That would be great.
For the first year of Georgie’s life, we didn’t have a car so we travelled everywhere by bus and train. It was really good for her.
I’m really surprised dogs aren’t allowed on the trains in the States. You’ll have to start a campaign!
I’m an absolute sucker for a pup that will use its paw to get your attention like in the top photo. Brilliant! I adore your blog.
Thanks Christian for your kind words. Georgie certainly knows how to make people go, ‘Oh how cute!’ And the paw always works