Don't Miss Bob's YouTube Videos "Nomadic Pets"

SoulRaven · Feb 1, 2018

I just watched Bob's videos, very worth one's time to watch if you have or are considering getting a pet and being on the road.

I do want to mention that one option for, well, people like myself at 63 years of age, is to adopt a senior dog as many are available, and a lot of older dogs are just really nice dogs having pleased their owner(s) for years. I have a 13 year old dog right now adopted from an Animal Control facility, and although I say no more dogs after this, I just really like having a dog, and BIG dogs at that.

DesertRose · Feb 6, 2018

Yes, I really liked those videos that just came out with Bob's vet in Williams, AZ. I would definitely use him and probably will once I'm back in AZ.

I learned some things I never knew before! And I really liked his folksy style. I have two dogs, one big and one medium. My medium dog is very active and not slowing down much to my chagrin (she is almost 8). My big dog (8 yrs) is much more chill and laid-back (he is an abuse rescue from a former mining town in Arizona). Although it will be more challenging to travel with them, I wouldn't give them up for the world. After this, no more big dogs though, and maybe only one dog. Definitely rescue.

As for what the vet said about fleas and ticks, I lived in Phoenix/Scottsdale for 6 years and never ever had an issue with fleas. I was told by the locals that there aren't any fleas where I was living (zip code 85028). I fed raw meat from Hobe Meat on Bethany Home at 16th Street, near Piestewa (formerly Squaw) Peak. Hobe Meat is the best! When you are in Phoenix, check them out! All the rescues and many private owners buy all their meat from them.

While on raw meat, my dogs never once had a flear or a tick, and we hiked every morning in the mountain preserves. NO ticks at all - they don't like the taste of the blood. So think about that if you're open to raw meat feeding and have the ability to store it with you when you're vandwelling. I can't say enough good about it. If you would like more info I can do a thread or you can PM me. My dogs were on raw meat for 6 years until I left AZ (I plan to go back and make AZ my home base). Oh, and Hobe Meat has very reasonable raw food prices for dogs - unlike CA where I am now (prohibitive).

GeorgiePorgie · Feb 6, 2018

I would like to have a rescue animal as a pet, but am guessing I will mostly be stealth camping, so a dog is out. It is way too likely it will start barking at an inopportune moment. I love cats, but have never had one that would be happy living in a cargo van and not trying to escape all the time.

SoulRaven · Feb 7, 2018

We lived 3 years in a small town and 3 years out in Pima County, and never a flea or tick. Geesh how I miss that! I have found where nature is more in balance, something eats the fleas that would have been eating my dogs had they had the chance.

DesertRose · Feb 7, 2018

Yes, I moved back to Southern California to take care of an elderly parent (now free of that), and my dogs were massively hit with major flea infestation thanks to moving in to a carpeted 100 yr old bungalow near the beach. One carpet cleaning and out those eggs came.

I learned the hard way that the ONLY thing that works in Southern California for fleas is oral medication. The topicals simply no longer work. I use COMFORTIS which thankfully has worked well. It is by prescription only, about $1/day per dog. I get it at Costco. Until then, nothing worked and my dogs were being eaten alive by fleas. When I return to AZ I will put them back on raw meat whenever possible.

Maggie · Feb 16, 2018

My furry companions are Zoie, she is black, and Terra is chocolate, they are mixed Labrador-Golden Retriever, Mama was a Labrador who ran off with a Golden Retriever unbeknownst to their owners. Zoie and Terra were born from that union December 5, 2005. I also foster a brindle named Tango, he is about 8 years old. I used to travel many years ago for work and I've lived in many different types of vehicles over the years while traveling and working. I settled down about 15 years ago; I've been happy but the last few years, since I am on social security, I've been wanting to sell my property and do some traveling again. I don't get much social security so I need to get what equity I got in order to buy a rig to live and travel in. I'd like to buy a small piece of land somewhere that I can park when I don't feel like traveling. I worry about traveling with the dogs because the girls are 12 years old now and they have many medical issues. I also need to find good home for Tango. I'm working toward my goal slowly but surely. These forums, and Bob's videos are enjoyable and informative and keep me on track.