About Our Dog House
OurDogHouse.life is more than just a website; it’s a living tribute to Shadow and Patches, the two wonderful souls who occupy the heart of our home—and our "house on wheels."
Through our blogs and photo albums, we invite you into our world of roadside rests, morning chicken checks, and the unconditional love that only a dog can provide. Whether you're a fellow traveler or a dog lover at heart, we're glad you’re here to share the journey with us.
Our Mission
We believe every dog deserves to be cherished and remembered. Our mission is to celebrate the joy, humor, and companionship that dogs bring into our lives. We aim to create a space where the bond between humans and their "furry children" is celebrated one mile at a time.
The Human Companions
We have shared our lives with dogs for over 50 years, experiencing the unique magic of many different breeds. Today, our lives are shaped by two distinct traveling companions who love the open road as much as we do.
We’ve learned that a "5-hour" Google Maps trip actually takes 6 hours. Our dogs have an internal GPS; they know exactly when a rest area is approaching, and they aren't afraid to tell us it’s time for a walk! From monthly "Glamping" trips to six-week cross-country odysseys, we’ve explored over 25 states and counting.
Our camping experience over the 30 years
Our love for the outdoors didn't start with a motorhome; it’s a passion we’ve carried for over 30 years.
The Family Years When our kids were young, life revolved around travel trailers. As soon as the winter snow melted, the trailer came out of storage to be cleaned and prepped for the season. Most of our weekends were spent at local lakes, where the days were filled with water-skiing and tubing, and the evenings were spent sharing stories around a campfire. Even today, when we get together with our grown children, they reminisce about those trips and the incredible places they had the opportunity to visit as kids.
The "Empty Nester" Evolution Once the nest was empty, we transitioned to a Class C motorhome. We put a lot of miles on that unit, but we quickly discovered one major "design flaw": a queen-sized bed. While that sounds plenty big, our two dogs—who never slept in the bed at home—decided that life on the road required them to be right between us.
The Upgrade to Glamping A TV commercial for a big RV show eventually tempted us to "just go look." Two weeks later, we traded up for a brand new Class A. It was the ideal layout: a king-sized bed (room for everyone!), a dedicated fireplace for Shadow, and enough space for both of us to work comfortably while traveling.
Of course, the transition wasn't perfectly smooth. After our first six-week trip, the new unit spent more time in the repair shop than in our driveway—including one memorable Saturday morning when the awing wind sensor decided to start a very loud, very persistent "beeping" protest—but that's a story for another time! That was the moment, we decided to hit the road again in search of a new motorhome.
The Search for the Perfect Layout
After spending an entire day walking through what seemed like hundreds of motorhomes, we left the dealership feeling defeated. We started to wonder if we were simply being too picky. It seemed like every unit had a "deal-breaker"—either the layout was clunky, the TV was awkwardly hung over the dining table, or the interior colors just didn't feel like home.
That next week, we got organized. We sat down and created a definitive list of "Must-Haves" and "Nice-to-Haves." Saturday morning we got up and went back into the dealership, list in hand, and gave it to the salesperson. He didn't hesitate; he told us he had the exact unit we were looking for. After a thirty-minute wait, they pulled the motorhome up to the front. We stepped inside and started ticking off the boxes. It was almost perfect.
We took it for a test drive to see how the larger frame handled on the road, and it passed with flying colors. But before we signed the paperwork, we needed the most important approval of all: The Pack Buy-In. We had to be certain that Shadow, with her senior status, could comfortably navigate the stairs. For us, a motorhome isn't just a vehicle—it's a home, and a home isn't complete unless every member of the family can get through the front door.
Meet the Pack
Shadow: The Resilient Scout
At 10 years old, Shadow is our seasoned veteran. A two-time cancer survivor, she possesses a quiet strength and a keen eye for adventure. You’ll often find her sitting sentry in the yard, watching for a hawk to swoop by or a squirrel to try its luck at one of our ten bird feeders. But the moment she sees the first bag of supplies moving toward the motorhome, her spirit transforms—she knows it’s time to hit the road.
Patches: The Red Heeler Matriarch
Patches is our 6-year-old Australian Red Heeler, and in her mind, she is the undisputed manager of both the brick-and-mortar house and the "house on wheels." When she isn't "running the show," she is a dedicated caretaker to her flock of chickens. She doesn't just watch them; she spends time with them. In a beautiful display of her breed’s loyalty, she will even sit quietly with a chicken when it reaches the end of its life, providing comfort until the very end.
Contact Us
Do you have a travel story to share, or just want to talk dogs? We’d love to hear from you! Visit our Contact Page to send us a message and join the conversation.