On the Road With Koa and Brody
A couple of months ago, we began to plan our family trip to the Pacific Northwest. “Oh,” I said, “Since we are going to be in a cabin on a lake, why not bring the dogs along too? Trout, swimming, marshmallows- what’s not to like?”
I pretty much expected my husband to roll his eyes and say “No way,” but then he said OK, which I wasn’t expecting, and I started to panic. We did a few road trips as a kid- maybe 8 hours in the car, tops. As an adult, I haven’t done any road trips with my kids or the dogs. And who thought making my litmus test be a 1,300 mile road trip was a GOOD idea?
Well, go big or go home, that’s my motto. What doesn’t kill me will at least make an interesting blog entry.
I know what to do with the kids: snacks, ipods, and more snacks. Whatever we don’t have, we can surely scrounge up along the way. But with dogs, it requires more planning. There. I said it. Mother of the year just admitted I spent MUCH more time planning the dog’s vacation luggage than the childrens’. It’s true.
Koa is on a special diet, and I would NEVER EVER think of just scraping some Pedigree up at the local Wal-Mart in a pinch, and yet we humans will probably be sampling at least a couple McLunches along the way. I’m toting along some Honest Kitchen for Brody. They will eat better than we will.
I had to buy seat belts for them.
I had to get some portable bowls.
I had to boost leptospirosis vaccines.
I had to buy some Cerenia since Brody can get motion sick.
I had to buy some new toys to keep them entertained.
I had to apply tick control, just in case.
I bought doggie life jackets.
I had to pack an emergency kit (and as a vet, let’s just say by “emergency kit” I mean “miniature pharmacy so I don’t have to sit in some random veterinary ER when Brody inevitably eats some indigenous Pacific Northwest wasp”).
I staggered in the door tonight with about 5 bags of dog items. My husband said, “Oh good! You got some stuff for the trip! Did you get granola bars?”
I looked at him blankly. “Oh, you mean stuff for us? Yeah, I didn’t get anything for us.”
Oops.
Nonetheless, tomorrow we depart! I had the help of the lovely Amy Burkert from GoPetFriendly to help me with my travel itinerary, so much to my surprise finding pet-friendly hotels and rest stops was the easiest part of the trip. I love that site! Saved the day! 
Day 1: San Diego to Santa Cruz. Wish us luck!
