Hindrance or a Benefit to Vandwelling

[travelingchic]

Hi Everyone,<br /><br />I am thinking about the future and how it will look being a vandweller. &nbsp;I am enjoying the lifestyle and if I could figure out the making money on the road I know this would be the best fit for me. &nbsp;I'm really living each day not just working for the weekend. &nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br />I do wonder if when I do become a full time permanent vandweller if I should get a dog. &nbsp;I have been thinking about this question since I started my journey. &nbsp;I notice some beaches / parks or other public places have notices about no dogs allowed or certain areas are off limits. &nbsp;<br /><br />I also have read the posts on here and it seems that cooling or heating the van for the dog when the owner is not there is an issue. &nbsp;<br /><br />I would like the companionship but I've never owned a dog. &nbsp;My parent's did when I was growing up so I know what that attachment is like and how wonderful it can be. &nbsp;<br /><br />However, I don't want to be kept from going swimming at the lake or experiencing places where dogs aren't allowed. &nbsp;For instance, I go to the library to surf the net and chat with friends and family. &nbsp;<br /><br />I would love to hear from all pet owners who van dwell what benefits and hindrances they have experienced when bringing their pet along for the ride. &nbsp;

 

[SoulRaven]

Having a pet is a huge responseability, I have been full timing for a year and a half now and just got a dog about a month ago... I had to be really sure everything in my life, my van, and myself were ready for this long term commitment (10+ years)... It is very good you are contemplating this, there are allot of disadvantages, but to me Zeke, my dog, brings way more advantages to my life as my chosen life partner... There are extra costs involved in dog food, dog treats, vet visits and of course shots and booster shots...<br /><br />Best bet is just to put the dog idea on the back burner for now, get into the life style and see what the future has in store for you... Cheri a full timer also told me that "It will happen when its meant to happen" sage words...

 

[Guest]

Excellent thoughts from SoulRaven and I agree wholeheartedly. Check it out for a while and don't try to figure it out....be as present as you can and see what it feels like. Be conscious of what it would be like with a dog and without...<br /><br />I am a dog owner and think the hassles are worth it, but if, like me you choose to do other world travel at times, it is hard to leave the old dognose with someone else to do it. I love having her along when I think I might need a watchdog to keep me tuned in to my environment...Mexico comes to mind.<br /><br />National Parks are terrible about dogs...you just flat can't have one out of the car except on a 6' rope or chain in your campsite or on the paved roads on a leash...they are extremely rigid about it. So if National Parks are part of where you want to spend a lot of time...and they can be very worth it, don't plan on hiking much with a dog.<br /><br />I don't have too much trouble with the vehicle and my dog since I have a Fantastic window fan blowing on her if I am out of the rig and with the raised roof and covers over the windows I can keep it fairly moderate inside. You get used to looking for shade to park in and my dog is desert born and raised so is pretty attuned to it....<br /><br />Bri

 

[travelingchic]

Thanks Bri, SoulRaven and Nuttcaze for your responses. &nbsp;I agree that having a pet is a huge responsibility and that is why I will be thinking it over for a long while. In the meantime I will do like you said Bri and be conscious of what it would be like with a dog and without which was what I was doing already. &nbsp;I was paying attention to signs and looking at others who had dogs. &nbsp;<br /><br />I think I will perhaps try and get my dog fix for now in another way. &nbsp;Perhaps offering to pet sit or dog walking at the SPCA. &nbsp;Although, I'm on the move but if I have references I'm sure they probably won't mind if it's in the yard.<br /><br />Thanks for your input like always.

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>I'm also wondering how I'm gonna deal with mine. I have a small dog, a house pet, &amp; I've had her since she was only 6 weeks old. She's now, as of this month, 8 years old, &amp; I really don't wanna give her up, cuz she's all I have for companionship out here in the boonies, but I really don't know how I'm gonna deal with living in this tiny RV with her.&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>The problem isn't really so much the lack of room, as much as the fact that I'm not even gonna have hot water, so I don't know how I'm gonna bathe her. I normally bathe her 4-5 times a week! Really don't know if this is gonna be do-able. I'm seriously considering the very real possibility that I may have to give her up, not only for MY sake, but for her's as well. :-(<br /><br />I'm certainly not gonna live in a small space with a dog that smells like...<br />well, a dog.<br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[stude53]

Joey,<br /><br />This is an example of a camping hot water heater (gives instant hot water). Maybe you and your dog can have warm showers after all. Is your water source a well?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hot-Water-on-Demand-Portable-Water-Heater/8187723">http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hot-Water-on-Demand-Portable-Water-Heater/8187723</a><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;Bob<br /><br /><br />

 

[sl1966]

Woah!!! You bathe her 4-5x a week?!? Seriously?!? What breed is she and/or what kind of a coat does she have???&nbsp;<br /><br />

 

[gypsydreamer]

edited

 

[Guest]

<span id="post_message_1274630292">That's a lot of baths, especially for a dog!&nbsp; Shucks...even I don't bathe that often, lol!</span>

<br /><br />Me neither Ann.......my dog gets a bath every couple of months whether she needs it or not...LOL<br />Bri

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>She's a chi. Of course, that number gets cut down considerably in the Winter, during which time it's usually only once a week. When she gets a bath, she's only allowed on the couch for 2 days, &amp; even then, only on her own special towel. Then, no more on the couch till another bath, cuz after 2 days I can smell her again. I have a very keen sense of smell, &amp; I don't want my furniture to smell like a dog.&nbsp;<br /><br />GypsyDreamer, same here! I don't even bathe that often either. The dog stays cleaner than I do!<br /><br />Bob, yeah, I have a well. Thanx for the link. That might be an option. <br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[travelingchic]

Ever thought of using febreeze to take care of the smell? &nbsp;It does seem a bit much the number of times she get's a bath. &nbsp;Lighting a candle might do it too. &nbsp;I can't smell at all so I'm really not the best to say. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I've always had a dog, save the hiatus when my last one died, and wouldn't do without. It restricts a person in many ways, but also opens up alternate avenues that one wouldn't otherwise contemplate. It's one of those '6 of 1 and 1/2 dozen of the other' deals. I will definitely agree that it's a major commitment and should be well thought out before jumping into that particular pool. Two things that I'd recommend are that you get a medium sized dog (or a small one if you like) and short haired. ..Willy.&nbsp;

 

[SoulRaven]

Joey, well seems to me having a dog on the road would be way to much for your sensitive nose... you could wash a dog twice a day and they will instantly be dirty again, just a fact of this life style... Also take into account the close quarters you will be living in and this would be hell for you...<br /><br />One more thing to take into account would be the preditors, from the sky and ground... little dogs are taken and eaten more often than you think, and it is just plain cruel to keep them cooped up in a van... Smaller the dog greater the risk, bigger the dog and more stink to deal with... Just sayin maybe a dog is not for you in this life style...

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>TravelingChic, yes, as a matter of fact, I already use it on her bedding &amp; in her room. Yes, she has her own room! After all, I have 12, &amp; it's just me &amp; her!&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>SoulRaven, I won't be living on the road, or full-timing, at least not what most folks would consider full-timing, cuz I'll still be here on my own land most of the time. I WILL be <span style="text-decoration: underline;">LIVING</span> in the RV full-time though, &amp; when I get a decent truck, I plan on spending extended periods of time on the road, towing my little cargo-conversion, but I'll still return to home base &amp; prolly spend more time here than on the road, &amp; the TRUE full-timers consider having your own land to park on, as "cheating". ;-)</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Still, the problems of living in the tight quarters with the dog, &amp; major hassles of bathing her with extremely limited facilities, are giving me pause for serious consideration of what to do. You're right, SoulRaven, I truly may have to give her up. :-(</strong></span><br /><br />

 

[Nemo]

Tori gets a bath when she jumps in a lake or river.. other than that.. never!! &nbsp;<br /><br />

<span id="post_message_1274630292">That's a lot of baths, especially for a dog!&nbsp; Shucks...even I don't bathe that often, lol!</span>

<br /><br />Me neither Ann.......my dog gets a bath every couple of months whether she needs it or not...LOL<br />Bri

 

[gypsydreamer]

edited

 

[Guest]

you can save alot of money doing your own vet care.&nbsp; i do all the shots and worming, surtures if needed, blue kote, balmes, salves, treatment for dehydration, hyper/hypo thermia, all sorts of ills from goats, horses, chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits. sadly, i've also had to put down a few of the above when there was no hope and they were in horrible pain and dying. as an Amish buddy said to me once, "As long as you have animals...you are going to have dead animals"...he was helping me burying a horse.<br /><br />i don't trust people who don't like animals. i know that may be judgmental, but an animal, like a garden, adds many positive things to your life, and they are always happy to be with you.<br /><br />when i traveled with my kids years back, we would sometimes have my old dog, and 3 of their pups, and sometimes a cat, with us. <br />they walked their dogs on leash and at stayed in carrier or on leash when we stopped. <br />the only problem we ever had was dogs would pick up tics in the woods, so that was a whole nother issue. i found a way around that though. i started using horse wormer (ivermectim) for them. no worms, no tics, no fleas, beautiful coats. my old vet back then showed me how to do this. saved a ton of money. if one of the critters were ailing, i could usually tell if they needed wormed. <br />just saying, there are ways to save money on it. sorry don't mean to ramble..<img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />

 

[yesican]

Hey Aunt Meg, where can one get info on treating pets, like how much ivermectim to use without killing your dog?&nbsp; Being a nurse, I don't feel people need to go to a Dr or take their pet to the vet for preventive care or for things that can be done at home.&nbsp; I'm always in search of more info that brings independence.&nbsp; This site has been fantastic so far. Teach me Aunt Meg.&nbsp; The more I learn the better off the Pita Poo Princess Puppy will be...aka Pain-In-The-A** -- or Pita for short.

 

[Guest]

oh geesh LOL..<br />well, alot i read online, and have some vet care books, and common sense, and some years as EMT. the wormer for horses is one tube for 1500lbs of horse. so it has to be adjusted for other animals, and you have to know and be careful on it or you will o/d the animal. i've been using it on all animals for years with success. <br />kind of like being a new parent, i learned when the problem came up and i couldn't afford the vet. <br />&nbsp;tractor supply stores carry meds, kits, powders, etc for a great many animal ills. they have a cooler with vaccines. some states still sell rabies vaccine in their feed stores. also, vitamin shots and penicillin.<br />kind of like holistic medicine, there is a ton you can do yourself, unless it becomes advanced medical issue. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[Guest]

*chuckle* ...my sister called me recently, her daughter had a bad cut that she thought might require a few stitches. but it had been a week already. <br />i told her she could do what they might do at urgent care, at home. numb the area, clean and drain it well, put triple A on it, tape it good, then wrap. change bandage once a day. well, she was hesitant, so took 15 yr old to urgent care. all they did was LESS than what she could have done at home. they cleaned/taped it. put a bandaid on it. for this she waited hours at clinic and bill was over 400$. and they gave her a prescription for triple A..???<br /><br />recently i had a boil on my finger. it had been there for a couple months with no signs of sepsis or spreading. just local under the skin. (had gotten a wood splinter in there).<br />i assembled the medical stuff, put lidocaine on it, used a sterile needle to pick the rough patch off the top, cleaned good with iodine. put triple A on it, wrapped it good. did this every day for a week. it is now completely healed without even a scar. <br />your right, basic care for alot of this can be done at home with a little know how and some supplies. <br /><br /><br />