How a promise made to Happy unfolded some amazing moments!

This is a beautiful story of Happy, Guggu and the Happy Pettings family, a home based pet boarding.

So one evening when I had nothing else to do in my life, I went drunk and promised it by mistake to our eldest in our family named as Happy (Labrador Retriever, 12+ yrs, Yellow) that we will go to Leh Ladakh with Guggu and Breezer (Labrador Retriever, Female, Yellow and Black). Time flowed like a river flows and years passed. We lost our beloved Breezer (Black, 6+ yrs) and Happy went down too with severe problems and multiple hostpitalisations. Time again kept on passing and finally the call came from inside that we can do it if we want to do it. There is no nirvana stage that will come and god will not get down on my sofa and say that yes the time will come.

So we packed our bags, got the car tuned and services, booked our first stay even at Udaipur, which comes on our route for Goa. Excuse Me? Goa? Yes, You read it right, road trip to Goa (1800+kms). We were supposed to leave by 4 AM from our place for Goa and by the time we did 30 kms, it all changed. Just one look at Happy and felt as if understood what he wanted to say. Everything changed, routes, hotels, road maps… We are now driving to Leh Ladakh… A DREAM DRIVE!

They climbed down as quickly as they climbed up 😉

Leh/Ladakh is not a destination, its a journey/travel which one would find the most amusing and adventurous once they start the ignition of their vehicle. Stress of driving is nothing when you get to witness and experience the scenic beauty live. We started our trip with our two adorable Labrador Retrievers, Happy and Guggu. Missed Breezer big time who was the most adventurous out of the lot. RIP.

Happy, is an adventurist, he has had his share of achievements like this before, be it 26kms of River Rafting in Rishikesh or from the dog shows, which we don’t find worth sharing here. Guggu being the laziest but with her killer looks enjoys the most.

At -2 degrees as the first ever in her life, we found her jumping, running, enjoying. After 12 years even we realised it for the fact that getting them a sweater in Delhi/NCR’s winter is actually a fashion statement and not at all a need. With the tips and tricks shared by Dr. Jasjeet Josan Neelam Singh Josan (without whom it would have not been possible), we very easily managed to have them at the best of their age and condition. Being a hen mom, without a doubt my wife carried oxygen cylinders, sweaters, blankets and at least a kilo of medicines but touchwood, we didn’t needed any of it. Our first day was a bit tiring of course, living and driving in plains and within a day we did almost 800+kms with few/minor stops (good as a driver only not advisable with dogs). With such an impromptu plan, we managed to get a night stay on a condition that early morning we have to check out, as the owner doesn’t know that dogs too are his hotel guests.

After some hours of rest and relief in his eyes, with fingers crossed we started early morning again and via Srinagar till Leh, beauty of India is beyond words. For once in a lifetime, one must do this road trip journey to Ladakh. What a journey! 4000+ kms with two of our adorable Labradors. Missed Breezer (our 3rd one) but I am sure, she is seeing us and giving us all her blessings and love.

Started from Gurgaon with many short breaks throughout the journey. We finally made it! Here we were with our loving family at Ladakh.

Exclusive and epic places were covered from the Changla to Pangong Lake (3 Idiots point), from Magnetic Hill to Nubra Valley, from Khardungla till Leh/Ladakh, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir.

Promises are to be fulfilled. You never know what unfolds and it may give you some amazing experiences and moments in life. A promise I’d made to my eldest Labrador, Happy (now 12+) that we will go there together. Happy and proud, we did it together!

Thanks to all our well wishers and Ladakh lovers who are adventurists and explorers like us. Who would just love coming back to Ladakh again and again!

Thanks again. Much Love.

#happypettings #bestfriends #doglovers #journey #ladakh #vipulagrahari

Connect on fb: @HappyPettings