Meet Wanda. 
Remember how NakedMom kept encouraging me to grow up? Well, meet Wanda. My very grown-up dog transport vehicle. Wanda is a Galapogos Green 2003 Honda Element EX. 2003. Built in this century. This decade, even.
Wanda, the One and Only.
When I was taking this picture of the puppies in their new ride other day (and who are we kidding, really, this car was purchased SOLELY for those precious pups), a guy on a mountain bike came cruising by. He was amazed that the dogs were wearing their doggles and not pawing at their heads trying to get them off. He also was amazed that his wife hadn't purchased doggles for their own dogs. He was sure his dogs had every conceivable ridiculous dog accessory!
Then he noticed the ultimate dog accessory. The Element.
"Cool car!", he said.
I told him that NakedMom had veryveryvery generously helped me to purchase it so that I would have a safe and reliable dog transport vehicle for the precious puppy cargo.
"Cool Mom!!", he said.
I then proceeded to show him all the very sweet "dog" features of this particular vehicle. And by the time he left, he was off to purchase one for himself. No joke. He even told me I deserved a commission because until he ran into me he was certain he was buying a Saturn, but after our little chat, well, there really was no other choice than the Element.
I've been driving Wanda since last Thursday. I have to admit that it is quite nice to have a dog transport vehicle with power steering. And power brakes. And, well, power everything. But will the muscles in my arms now go all soft because I'm not cranking the wheel of the Magic Bus trying to get it into that tiny parallel parking spot?? I suppose that is a small price to pay, huh?
I have to believe that in time, Wanda will be just as magical in her own way as the Magic Bus. All she needs is a trip or two to the Oregon Country Fair, a few muddy paw prints here and there and the magic will just happen.
It always does.
