Category Archives: Adventure

Dachshund Takes Flight – Flying High in a Piper Single Engine Plane

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Yesterday I shared with you my paddleboarding adventures on the lake during my stay-cation, and today I have an even more thrilling tale to tell!

Last week I took to the air for my very first flight ever!

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Adventures in taking a Small Dog Flying in a Piper

Now as you may already know, I’m not your average dog, so when I took to the air I didn’t just book a flight on some commercial jet for a week-long getaway. No instead I decided to fly in style by hopping aboard my own single engine plane – aka the Piper Archer II.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Adventures in taking a Small Dog Flying in a Piper

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

I didn’t have to look too far to find a pilot for my first flight either, because my mom’s dad has been a recreational pilot since 1986, and I was to be his very first canine passenger.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Adventures in taking a Small Dog Flying in a Piper

Being that this was my first flight, I dressed in the best piloting attire I could find. I couldn’t risk looking like I didn’t know what I was doing.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

I was pretty darn excited to take to the air, so much so that I even practiced my airplane yelling just in case it was anything like riding on a roller coaster.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

As we took to the air I kept my eyes glued to the window – it was nothing like riding in a car!

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

I was fascinated by how tiny everything looked from the air, and the cars on the roads below looked just like little rodents scurrying all around.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

We flew over many places that I recognized, like my house, the shop where I work, and even the farm – where I waved hello to all my pony friends below.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

We even flew over Marsh Creek Lake where I had taken my paddleboarding adventure the day before.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

I was having so much fun looking out the window that I almost forgot we were so high in the air.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

But then I caught sight of all the dials and buttons and nobs, and remembered that we weren’t in kansas anymore   firmly planted on the ground anymore.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

The dials and buttons and nobs had me so excited that it made me want to get my pilots license too! Check it out as I help navigate the plane during a take off and landing:

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

After we landed I couldn’t stop beaming from ear to ear!

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

Flying in a single engine plane was one of the most exciting things I have ever done.

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

Who knew this super hero was born to fly!

Ammo the Dachshund takes Flight - Small Dog takes to the Air in a Single Engine Piper Plane

So cross flying in the sky off my bucket list, because this dog has earned his wings! Maybe next time I’ll have to try helicopters! Ammo the Dachshund

 

Stand up Paddleboarding with your Dog

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Last week I took a short stay-cation in my hometown of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. While I didn’t actually travel anywhere exotic or new I did get to have a whole bunch of brand-new adventures. I hope you’ll come along for the ride with me this week, as I have lots to share!

One of the first things I did on my vacation was to go stand up paddleboarding (also called SUP or stand up paddle surfing) at the Marsh Creek Boat Rental.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Visiting the lake isn’t new to me, as I’ve been known to zip around on a motorized row boat with my mom and dad, but SUP was something I have never done before.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

I was so excited when I saw the paddleboard come out that I couldn’t wait to hit the water, especially on this super hot day.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

I did end up swimming A LOT while I was on the water, sometimes by accident because I was standing too close to the edge while some turbulent water knocked me in, and sometimes because I wanted to take a trip over to visit dad in his canoe.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Luckily I do know how to swim, and my new life vest kept me even more afloat – and made it easy for mom and dad to scoop me back onto the board.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

I’m pretty sure I was the talk of the lake that day and I enjoyed waving at all the other people out enjoying the cool water.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

This may have been my first time paddleboarding, but it certainly won’t be my last! Especially if this heat wave in Pennsylvania keeps up!

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Tips for Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog

  • Before visiting a lake rental spot make sure that they allow dogs on their rental boats and boards
  • Make sure your dog has a properly fitted life vest – keep a leash attached to it so you can quickly grab your dog should they go overboard accidentally
  • If you have never been on a paddleboard yourself, practice paddling on the lake without your dog first, it will be much harder to maneuver the board with a dog on it too
  • Allow your dog to get used to the board near the shore first with you standing in the water
  • Be prepared to get wet – very wet (but that is the point isn’t it?)
  • Don’t bring a dog paddleboarding that doesn’t know how to swim, it is pretty likely that at some point they will go overboard especially if it is windy out
  • If your dog has a strong herding instinct it is best to have only one “member of the pack” out on the lake at a time, otherwise your dog will be upset when his “pack” isn’t close together, causing him to jump overboard or panic
  • Have as much fun as possible!

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

And the icing on my cupcake…..according to Shape Magazine I burned 500 – 700 calories every hour I was out paddleboarding (although mom says she’s pretty sure they mean it’s her that’s burning those calories), but regardless it’s also apparently the new “celebrity trend” – with paddleboarders like Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson testing them out too.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

So considering I’m probably just as famous as those big celebs (right?) then it must be the super cool new thing to do! Not to mention I look awfully sexy doing it! *wink*

 

So what do you think? Is your next big adventure going to be paddleboarding with your dog? Or do you just enjoy living vicariously through me? Or better yet – have any suggestions of new adventures I should try?

Make sure you stop by the blog tomorrow to hear all about my adventures on my very first airplane ride!Ammo the Dachshund