Terrified

[Guest]

Hello there, as some of you who have seen my intro post know, I am on the verge of buying and converting a van. On the edge of homelessness and running out of cash, having been interested in the van dwelling lifestyle for quite some time, at this time in my life this is the risk I'm taking. I have one medium sized dog, and one kitten. The dog is my life, my whole world, and I adopted him a few years ago now when I was 'stable.' Oh, how things change. The kitten came to me (the kitten was dumped on me), and was never meant to stay. I can't imagine us parting now (some of you may relate). My dog and I have always been quite nomadic. We never stay in one place long, even when I was renting, we were constantly moving it seems (roommates leaving, etc.) When I had a car, we were in it 51+% of the time. It was our safe place. 100% 'ours.' At times we lived in it for days. Other times just driving or hanging out at the park, in a parking lot sharing fast food, etc. We are very close. I am scared to death for us, but also a little excited. Excited if everything works out. Scared to death of anything less. I've had to wipe the plate clean and start over before, it was hard when I was alone, it has been easier with my dog, despite devoting everything I can to him time and finance-wise, it is so black and white how the pros outweigh the cons. I have never been a happier person than I have been with my dog at my side. Now with a kitten on top of it all, I feel more responsible than I ever have before in my life, and it is overwhelming. Not having the kitten for long, it has been a struggle dividing my love and attention, and I am praying to find a balance. I owe my life to my dog, and right now with next to nowhere to live (I am pushing it, and so close to being on the street), I feel responsible for any kind of anxiety brought on by this kitten (I have anxieties, that transfer to him, time is being sucked away finding places for this kitten that are separate from where I'm currently keeping my dog while at work because the kitten can't stay there, due to a long commute from where they can stay I am spending 10+ hr days away, etc.) It is a difficult time. I won't complain about how unfair it was to even have gotten this kitten in the first place, because now it can't leave! I am scared. I have big dreams of living in a van, I have big fears. I hope to god this is doable. Because if it's not I fear I'm going to lose it. This forum gives me so much hope.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

There are quite a few on here with 2 or more pets, so take heart in knowing it is doable.&nbsp; <br><br>You just have to tackle things a piece at a time, stay organized and as the parts become more manageable they become less terrifying.&nbsp; Identify your biggest challenges and then start thinking logically on how you will solve them.&nbsp; I don't have pets but ive been thinking about wanting one once im in the van.&nbsp; For me, the greatest challenge is where to put them while working or shopping (without alerting 'helpful' people to breaking my windows), and temp extremes.&nbsp; There are some good threads on these topics in the pet forum. &nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>One of the advantages for me is that i work nights and i work alone, so I could bring my pet to work and keep them in the van if all else fails, and visit or walk them often.&nbsp;&nbsp; Then during the day I can be with them to handle any other problems.&nbsp; The only bad thing is excessive barking in the parking lot, if i had a dog that was prone to do that....

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;A lot of the lifestyle has got to do with just plain common sense. Be proactive and you'll have far fewer problems. ..Willy.

 

[Dust of the Sun]

Would like to respond&nbsp; but need more detail on your situation like what is your geography - whereabouts are you and what is the lay of the land for where you intend to be.....way out in the country or in an urban environment?? Do you have a base camp area or friends driveway or stealth parking in unfriendly territory....walmarts or public lands or....where??<br><br>Is there any support network of friends or family that will be nearby?? Do you have a j o b or a skillset that could make you some money on your own?? What expenses will your remaining finances cover?? Do you have any income to cover gas and food??<br><br>Have you considered basing at a farm or intentional community where you would have some security...a place for pets....a source of food...companionship?? If so, have you checked out<br><br>ic.org<br>helpx.net<br><br>These two sites provide for farms and communes and intentional communities with all kinds of living situations, both urban and rural...a wide spectrum of possibilities but require some research and communication. What are you looking for??<br><br>I have friends who have properties. one a farm and one a retreat in the mountains of north carolina...they are always looking for people to join them...help grow food, care for animals, just band together to face these trying times...alot depends on just what you are searching for...what kind of situation you can live with.....give us some idea so the fine people who inhabit this forum can maybe steer you in a beneficial direction.<br><br> Dust<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Stay strong Ardisco. A lot of us care about you and your situation.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Just figured I'd add something else here and it's that a lot of the things you'll do for your dog will have a beneficial effect on YOU. For example, putting in a solar fan setup will keep the puppy cool.. but also yourself. It kinda gives incentive to improve one's standard of living.. if just for the sake of your dog. ..Willy.

 

[uncagingmyspirit]

Hello<br><br>I think I'm pretty decently close to your situation. I even posted a dumping on the forum tonight just to get it out of me because I've been crying off &amp; on for the last couple of days. Now I'm almost in fighting mode. Long story short I have a scumlord who wants me to give him extra rent money even though it's illegal. My choices are not good. I'm on disability and recovering from an accident - about half way recovered. I have almost no money saved up. I'm still building good credit on bad credit and I'm facing a landlord who is going to&nbsp;retaliate&nbsp;against me when he learns I'm not going to give him the extra money and theres nothing he can do about it for 3 months.&nbsp;I don't know where you live but I'm in Los Angeles - the worst place to be homeless so I understand. The shelters are not much better because the staff can be&nbsp;awful. I clawed my way out of the shelters and was so tunnel&nbsp;visioned&nbsp;on getting into an apartment I&nbsp;completely&nbsp;lost myself. It wasn't until I finally started getting on my feet physically and education wise that I realized how much I hate living in an apartment..and even more now.&nbsp;<br><br>Van sleeping - not living. You sleep in an RV / van not live in it and that is the perspective you need to set your goal on. Living in an RV or a van or truck or whatever... it can be freedom or Hell. For some of us it's not a choice... we feel trapped in an apartment - that's me. Some people don't have a choice and others have the opportunity to make the choice. But how you live or exist is totally up to you. <br><br>There are a lot of ways to live happily as an unhoused person. <br>Get a gym membership for showers and basic exercise<br>Don't park in areas known to be homeless areas<br>Make sure your van or RV is always clean even if it is old with rust stains. <br>When a cop approaches you always start by being friendly and welcoming<br>Use stealth methods. <br><br>RV / Van living/sleeping isn't for everyone. If it's temporary that's ok too. Make the best of it, take you furry friends to the park for exercise and work towards what will make you happy. It is scary but do a lot of research to calm your fears.

 

[Morgan7600]

Remember what Nike says...&nbsp; "Just Do It!"&nbsp; You'll do fine.&nbsp; It's only the change at first that is scary.&nbsp; I am new to the site and still working real hard to loose my home but I'm right in there with you...&nbsp; Don't worry!

 

[kidiekat]

ardisdo... you are not alone.&nbsp; I know the ups and downs you are going through.&nbsp; I have some time to sort my stuff and am selling what I can but my brain races at times and yes I get scared and yes I have cried.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>I have a dog too and battled whether she would be better off being placed in a stable home.&nbsp; With all the articles on traveling with pets and things you will need and the reading and encouragement on this forum, I decided she would be more loved and better cared for by me, the human she knows and is attached to, much more than a stranger.&nbsp; <br><br>We are in training now and she is coming with me.&nbsp; We will work out the details together.&nbsp; <br><br>You will find so many nice people here and they will be truthful and give you the advice and support you need when you feel like you are falling in that black hole.&nbsp;&nbsp; Just keep saying that you can do this.&nbsp; Fight the good fight.&nbsp; You and your baby will make it together.&nbsp; I am not a spring chicken, Friday I turned 65 and my health is not the greatest.&nbsp; If I can start over again you can do it to.&nbsp; Just take one day at a time and one battle at a time.&nbsp; If you think of it all at once it will drive you crazy and you will feel too over whelmed and be paralyzed.&nbsp; Sort one box of things that you can do without.&nbsp; Have your first yard sale.&nbsp; Each success will build on the last and all of a sudden you will feel the relief of freedom.<br><br>I am learning so much and preparing for a whole new exciting life.&nbsp; Just think of the places you will visit, the people you will meet, and the inner peace you will find.&nbsp; Breath in the fresh air, think of a nice little camp fire and you and your dog snuggled warm in a cozy sleeping bag.&nbsp;&nbsp; This too shall pass.<br>kidie

 

[Terry]

Good on you kiddiekat. I don't see how anyone can say they love someone/something and just leave it to start a new life without their number one person. I know most of them do OK and some even do fine. But some of them don't do well at all. Dogs have been known to stop eating completely when they lose their best friends. We have two dogs that aren't mine that will luv up on anyone that will bother to pet them and are the kind that can be given to a good home but we also have a poodle that doesn't care for anybody besides me and Cathy, unless they have a treat for him, and he would not do well if given to a new home.&nbsp; One should be very careful about how they treat another life that they have taken responsibility for.

 

[Pikachu711]

ardisco, don't be too fearful with this new way of living your life. Learn to embrace it and make the best of the situation. You have many people here who can help you resolve any problems you may discover when you start this new life. There are always solutions to any problem that others have already gone through already in this group.&nbsp;

 

[kidiekat]

It's been a while since you posted.&nbsp; I hope you are okay.&nbsp; Fight the fear, keep your babies, please let all of us know you are alright.&nbsp; I know the crazies you are feeling.&nbsp; Don't give up.&nbsp; Any thing good is worth fighting for.<br>You are in my prayers.<br>Terry you are so right.... My luci loves people but needs to be at my side and would not adjust in a new home.