traveling with pets

[graydawg]

<P>This is something I know a little bit about, since I have traveled quite a bit, but only had 1 dog back then, now I have 3 Labs to deal with, which will be a little more trouble, well as most people know Labs are usually friendly dogs, and very observant. I have learned to watch my dogs reaction to people, if their hair stands up on their backs when meeting someone I know to keep a closer watch on this person, for my dogs sense a lot more than I do. The main thing is to not leave them in a hot vehicle, I have heard it gets to 130 degrees in a hurry, so do not leave your animals locked in a vehicle, and of coarse they need WATER and FOOD. I always carried a 5 gallon jug for water for my pets and was also used for other things, now they have blue jugs made especially for this. When near traffic, or anywhere I am out and about I keep my dogs on a leash, another animal can get their attention and they chase after it into the traffic. I usually let my dogs off leash in a field away from others its just easier, clean up after your animals if they do a number in a campsite or anywhere other people will be walking, they make special bags that are cheap for this purpose or use a walmart bag, pick up mess turn bags inside out and dispose of it properly. I don't let my dogs roam at will, my male will pee on another vehicle to mark their territory, its just nature to them, always keep shots and records up to date and ID collars with Rabies tags on them, if your pet gets put in jail (dogpound) it's not cheap to get them out.&nbsp; I have heard stories of a couple hundred dollars, but have never expierienced that headache for myself. Any animal taken on the road with you is extra trouble, too much for some folks to deal with, but for me its a joy having my pets with me. They enjoy traveling too. Also one more thing when traveling if you get out of your vehicle watch to make sure your pet doesn't get out with you. While traveling years ago, I passed by a motorhome that had blown a tire and their large breed I think it was a Irish setter had followed his humans out the door of the motorhome and got hit. It was a sad scene and I remember it all too well when I travel with my pets, it happened aprox 10 years ago and I still remember it all so well. So folks be carefull and watch out for your pets and let them enjoy traveling too.</P>

 

[akphotobob]

That is all some great advice Graydawg! I hope to never be without a furry companion in my travels. They give so much and ask so little!! The one thing that stands out to me is how much water my dog drinks. I guess I get water in a lot of ways so I don't think I drink that much, but my dog needs nearly a gallon a day. So I also have several blue Reliance jugs I carry water in. Thanks again for the great advice! Bob <br>

 

[Guest]

Great posts, guys....I love to travel with my little furry co-pilot&nbsp; too. I have a pretty nervous or hyper-vigilant&nbsp; female and she is like my shadow. One thing we are working on is the barking issue since it bothers others in camp....I think at the RTR we will park a bit further away and see how that works....I need to keep her on a leash to limit that. <br><br>When I am camped or parked alone I think of her as better than any weapon I could have since she warns me if anyone is messing around the rig...In fact if&nbsp; she is outside, she can spot movement further than I can and since she is a herder, she alerts on it.<br><br>Bri<br><br>

 

[Drifter]

I wouldn't part with my cat for all the tea in China.<br>

 

[akrvbob]

We had a whole bunch of dogs here at the RTR and it was great. They all played together super well. We have a fellow here now with a cat and she loves living in his van. Works great for both of them. Bob<br>

 

[danelady]

Oklahoma is gracious enough to put large fenced in dog runs in the last rest areas on each end of the state on I-40,in both directions. There are two next to each other,one for large dogs and one for smaller dogs,with double gates for any Houdinis who might try to escape. That way travelling pooches get to run off some of that pent up energy. They also provide poop bags to pick up anything.<div><br></div><div>Haha,not that I can use them. I have to carry bags bigger than the ones they supply to pick up after Earl.&nbsp;</div>

 

[sl1966]

Awesome thread. Here's one of the main reasons why I'm hitting the road ...<div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.the-pendulum.com/melt.jpg"></div><div>My baby girl, Bridgette, helped me to realize how much I was missing out on. &nbsp;</div>

 

[cyndi]

&nbsp;a video of the RTR dogs<br><A href="" target=_blank></A><br>

 

[Guest]

GREAT video Cyndi! You are a very talented woman....I love the music with it too.....Bri<br><br>

 

[sl1966]

Who owned that gorgeous shepherd???

 

[polecat77]

May I suggest buying a small USB drive say half gig or even a 2 gig. Then attach this to the collar. You can Make a file and update it as needed. If you need to this can be done at a libaray. Most police or dog wardens would know to look on it for info about dog or cat. And you could have a cell # that they can call you at.

 

[cyndi]

sl1966, Bridgette is adorable! Heidi, the shepherd, belonged to a gentleman<BR>&nbsp;named Paul.&nbsp; Wish I had his email.&nbsp; I have a couple of great shots of her&nbsp;I would like to send him.&nbsp; Heidi was one FUN dog!<BR><BR>Bri, thanks.&nbsp; The dogs are&nbsp;the stars;&nbsp;I just point and shoot and haven't figured out editing, yet, to make a good video.&nbsp; The music makes the video a dance,&nbsp;and the dogs definitely danced with joy!<BR><BR>Polecat, I like the idea of an attached USB drive.&nbsp; I wonder how you could protect it from the elements.&nbsp; Stumpy loves the water and I am not so good at remembering to remove things before she high tails it in, to swim.<BR><BR>I like the idea of an embroidered collar with name and contact info.&nbsp; Stumpy is micro-chipped, great in theory, but I know of many instances where they haven't worked.&nbsp; She also wears tags with contact info.&nbsp; i can't count the number of times her tags have been lost and replaced.<BR><BR><BR>

 

[twokniveskatie]

<b>such good ideas here! i have a plastic pouch on a neck lanyard that has a description and license # of the van, all emergency contact info for me and for vet, pics of van and mutt, and location of all dog documents (licensing, medical and shot records) in the van. if i were ever incapacitated while away from the van without Mutt (very rare...think potty run or grocery pick-up) then someone will know of his whereabouts and get to him quickly.&nbsp;</b><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>i have only boarded mutt once overnight for a trial run. i think i suffered way more than he did. although i don't plan on boarding him, i keep his kennel cough up to date for emergencies.<br></b><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>i have a pretty good set-up of people willing to step in and get mutt home to my family, if that is necessary.&nbsp;</b></div></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>lastly, i get mutt's chip scanned once a year to make sure it is present anf working properly.</b></div>

 

[Drifter]

I plan to show my cat, have plans to purchase a female and to show her.&nbsp; <u><b>IF</b></u> (and only IF) she does well and earns enough points to title, I plan to breed her.&nbsp; Sphynx cats aren't cheap, so this will provide a nice supplemental income for me, as well as providing a cover for other means of earning income.<br>

 

[She]

<P><FONT size=3>Oh this is great. New here and probally wont be doing this in a while but glad as I will be getting a small dog. I love that blinking collar. <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif"></FONT></P>