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!
Happy Trails and wagging tails! We will miss your wit and wisom but understand that you may actually enjoy getting “off the grid”” for a day or two!
Have a GREAT vacation! It will be different than other’s you’ve had, but you will enjoy it a LOT and so will Koa & Brody. It’s not something we can do every year, but when we do, the girls enjoy the change of scenery as much as we do! And what’s a few more boxes in the back of the SUV, anyway?? PS-tell hubby that any convenience store has granola bars.
Good Luck!!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it and see some fun pics!
Have a great trip!! I traveled once with the dogs and I feel your pain about all the prep it took for the dogs! Cant wait to see how it goes!
I’m already enjoying your vacation! Can”t wait to hear all about it!
Wish I was going too! What a great memory maker! Have fun!
Yay! It’s going to be an awesome family trip. Anytime I traveled with Blade he had more luggage than me! (portable crate, life jacket, travel bowls, his food, new toys, blankets, favorite toys, towels, treats and everything else.) He even had his own bags with his name on them. Sounds like you have everything planned out. I just always made sure to make stops ever so often (vs. driving straight thru) It was always a nice chance for all of us to stretch our legs. I love road trips!!
Big fun for Brody and Koa!! 🙂 Why should vacation be any different? Don’t you ALWAYS put more thought into what the dogs are eating than you do your own food? I know I do! I cannot wait to hear about the great adventure! Really, I hope you and your family have a wonderful time!
And I’ll bet Apollo will relish his time without the canines around. 😉
Have a safe trip. I’m not surprised you bought them seat belts…I will be surprised if they enjoy wearing them. Smooch tolerates hers but heaves a great big sigh of relief when I remove it.
http://www.the7msnranch.com/2010/08/looking-for-trouble.html
Have a great time- gopetfriendly rocks!
Glad you decided to bring the dog kids along. Your family will have a great time. Maybe you can stop by on your way? Will have poodle party here this weekend; one schnoodle, 6 standards and one miniature poodle. Yes, we kind of love dogs (not just poodles) at this house.
That was SO nice of you to offer- we ended up putting in a 10 hour driving day on Saturday just to make it to the cabin before sundown, so we couldn’t do any stops other than the rest stops- but that was SO appreciated! 😀
hahahaha! So true on the pet packing. My kids are responsible for packing their own stuff. We have had to make a couple emergency shopping trips for underwear or socks, but the dogs have everything they need. 😉
Thank you for the sweet mention. It was fun helping a dog-travelin’ first timer get their plans laid out. I hope the whole family has a fantastic time and that this is the first of many “whole family” vacations! Safe travels!! 🙂
Good Luck Dr. V!!! This has just inspired me to try and take a road trip next year maybe to go camping with my dog and husband!
Hope you have a great time! 😀
I hope you have an amazing trip! We’re all jealous here at THK and can’t wait to see pictures!
Have a great time, Dr. V and family! I think trips are much more fun with the pooches along. You’re absolutely right to take their food along; cleaning up intestinal upset because a new food disagreed with them is no way to spend time off.
One piece of advice: I’m sure Brody and Koa have tags with your cell #s, but you may want to add a temporary one with your vacation address, and if possible, a local phone #. One pet travel guide said many people don’t want to make a long-distance call.
That’s a great idea. I should do that now.
First off:
Koa looks like a very serious and attentive driver!
Second:
VIDEO! VIDEO! VIDEO!
THis should be a exciting week for us as well as you — have fun!
Oops, I thought that picture was the FRONT of a very futuristic car. Looks like it’s the back! My bad.
Hope you have a wonderful trip. It sounds like you thought of everything 🙂
But I am sure there will be some tall tails to tell 🙂
Have fun, Dr. V! You’ll be glad you took the puppies, make sure to get lots of pictures and videos to remember the trip. You’ll be thankful for it in a few years.
Make sure you take proper preventative measures against mosquitoes, they’re more plentiful and slightly bigger up in the PacNW than you’re used to. Don’t ever go to Alaska, the damn things are like flying syringes up there – horrifying.
Oh, and be careful of the sun. I know you’ll be like, “Yeah yeah, I know how to do that.” I do it too, and then I always screw something up and walk away with crispy chicken skin, especially when water is involved.
Safe and pleasant travels!
When Cerenia just came out, my vet sent us home with some for my leukemia dog to manage his post-vincristine nausea.
Within a few hours he became incontinent (constant dribble). We went right back to his usual metocloprimide/metronidazole and didn’t use any more Cerenia.
My vet said that wasn’t on the list of side effects….. But he dried up the next day, hallelujah!, and nothing else had changed…..
So … if you notice that Brody is dribbling, I know who/what I would blame……