Ella is one of the sweetest, snuggliest dogs you’ll ever meet. She’s also one of the most devilish. She’ll come up and plop half her body on top of you on the couch, seemingly for some affection…and when you look closer you’ll see she’s got a lead pencil in her mouth and really just came over to show off how slick she is.

But it’s the stuffed animals who really have to be careful of Ella’s charming yet sociopathic ways for in their case it truly is a life or death situation.

Case in point.

This week is my mom’s retirement from teaching so Ella and I made the trip back to Maryland to throw a surprise party for her. Though the trip from NYC to Maryland is not too bad, it was potentially a nightmare for us as Ella is a stressed out traveler and a car sick pup. We learned that the hard way on our trip home for the Christmas holidays about 6 months ago. I don’t think that car will ever be fully aired out from the mess. Having learned my lesson, I shelled out the 50 bucks for doggie dramamine (Cerenia) in the hopes it would ease Ella’s tummy on the ride.

The first hour or so was touch and go as she paced around the car, dipped her head low, and gave me an “uh-oh momma” look, but she pushed through the wall with flying colors….and an unbelievable amount of drool.