Our Newest Adventure Partner (and Full-Time Activities Coordinator)
If you’ve been following along with Midlife Rovers for a while, you may have noticed a new face popping up in our recent travels. Four legs, boundless energy, and absolutely zero concept of “taking it easy.”
Meet Abby…
She’s a Blue Heeler and Mini Aussie mix, which, if you know anything about either of those breeds, tells you pretty much everything you need to know. Smart. Driven. Loyal. And powered by what we can only assume is a nuclear reactor.
And here’s the part that might surprise you…We weren’t actually looking for a dog.
How Abby Joined the Family
Abby came into our lives through family, and like a lot of situations involving high-energy working breeds, things didn’t quite go as expected.
Heelers are incredible dogs, but they are not exactly low-maintenance. They are wired to work, to think, and to stay busy. Without the right kind of physical and mental outlets, that energy has to go somewhere, and sometimes it shows up in ways that can be misunderstood.
By the time Abby was about two years old, it had become clear that the situation wasn’t working the way anyone had hoped. Concerns had started to build and decisions were being made quickly. When we got the message about what might happen next, we didn’t spend a lot of time debating it. We told them we would be there the next day. And just like that, Abby became part of our lives.
What We Saw Right Away
We had known Abby since she was a tiny pup. We had visited often, played with her, and seen glimpses of just how sharp and energetic she really was. So when we brought her home, we didn’t see a “problem dog.” We saw a dog with a lot of energy, a strong personality, and no clear outlet for either.
The behaviors that had raised concern, things like chewing, tension with another dog, or reacting to situations, looked a lot different through that lens. To us, it felt less like aggression or anxiety, and more like a working dog trying to figure out her place without a job to do.
And if there’s one thing we’ve learned quickly…Abby needs a job.
What It’s Really Like Traveling with Abby
Let’s start with the obvious. She’s awesome!
Abby has already hiked miles of trails, paddled through bayous, explored multiple states, and adapted to life on the road better than we ever expected. Watching her experience new places, the smells, the sounds, the constant stimulation, has added a whole new dimension to our travels.
But let’s keep it real. It’s not all easy.
Traveling with a high-energy working dog means:
Daily exercise isn’t optional. It’s mandatory
Training is ongoing and sometimes tested frequently
Plans occasionally revolve around her needs instead of ours
There are days when we’ve already hiked, walked, and explored, and Abby is still looking at us like, “Cool warm-up… what’s next?” And honestly, she’s not wrong.
The Learning Curve (for All of Us)
Abby is incredibly smart, which is both a blessing and a bit of a wildcard.
Training isn’t something we check off a list. It is part of everyday life now. From basic commands to navigating new environments, she is constantly learning…and so are we.
We’ve had to become more intentional, more consistent, and a lot more patient. There have been big wins, a few setbacks, and plenty of moments where we’ve had to adjust on the fly. But watching her start to settle in, understand expectations, and channel that energy in a positive way has been incredibly rewarding.
What Abby Adds to the Journey
Here’s the part we didn’t fully expect…Abby doesn’t just come along for the ride. She changes the experience.
She gets us outside more. She keeps us moving. She adds a sense of purpose to even the simplest days.
And she has a way of turning ordinary moments into something memorable, whether it’s a trail, a paddle, or just a walk around camp.
More than anything, she brings a different kind of energy to what we do. One that’s a little less predictable and a lot more fun.
A New Chapter for Midlife Rovers
Taking Abby in wasn’t part of the original plan. We knew it would change things, and it has. But we also knew one thing for sure, we weren’t going to stop traveling.
So instead, we adapted. We’re still figuring it out. Still refining routines. Still learning what works best for her and for us. But Abby is now very much part of the Midlife Rovers family and she’s proving, day by day, that she was built for this kind of life.
And in the process, she’s made ours even better.
If you want to follow along with Abby’s journey and see how she feels about all of these adventures (through her own words), you can check out her Instagram page:
