Depends how much you want her company I guess. I can't lie, there have been times when the furry friends are "inconvenient". But they are my only companions these days, and they're worth it! They would never choose to leave me behind (even when I'm grumpy), so if I can't take them, I don't go. And there's not all that many times I've missed out on going somewhere I wanted to go.
PS.
Look at those eyes! How can you even think of leaving her behind?
-- Edited by The dog lady on Tuesday 19th of November 2013 08:42:07 PM
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Cheers, Marianna.
The more I learn about people, the more I like my dogs (Mark Twain)
So, we have the most adorable (of course) 11 month old Cavoodle (Molly!)
We didn't realise we were going to have the opportunity to travel when we got her but we're now collecting our caravan next week and start a year long trip of Aussie (the whole lot!) late Jan.
Whilst I've done loads of research....which led me to conclude that taking her to remote areas of WA, NT and of course the red centre would prove quite difficult. I really dont want to leave her in a car when we go off for a walk etc.
I have found a lovely home for her whilst we're away but I just cant get excited about our trip.
Has anyone travelled to these areas with their pets? Any advice?
Hi Sue, we got a new cavoodle a few weeks ago, Ruby is her name and she is now 11 weeks old. She will be our travelling companion and have already made her a bed and spot for the van. Our first trip will be next week to see how she travels but she is already comfortable in the car so I can't see any problems. Unfortunately she will not be coming to Tassie with us in the new year as we did not want to put her through undue stress, in the bowels of the Spirit of Tassie, for 9 + hours. She is going to be looked after at home with some house sitters, but after the Tassie trip the roads will be her oyster, and we are already looking at Qld for winter .
Thanks Marianna, Gaz and Roz.....wise words. I'd forgotten the Tassie bit.....that's on our trip around March time... Ummmm!
Ruby looks just gorgeous. Molly was the same colour at that age...I wander if Ruby's coat will change? The first photo Molly was in desperate need of a hair cut!
The occasional inconvenience of travelling with our fur babies,
is more than made up for by the wagging of their tails.
There are very few places that you can't get any sort of pet care
if you want to do the tourist thing
My brothers experience with their dog, a Labrador, was such that after a year on the road they rehomed her.
They felt that the dog wasn't really enjoying the travelling lifestyle especially as she was arthritic and the steps up to their 5th wheeler were difficult for her. Uncommon for a labrador, she didn't seem as confident in all the new places she found herself. They also felt very restricted with where they could go, couldn't do things like a Katherine gorge cruise, as couldn't find a doggy-sitter.
Their dog was very happy in her new home as her new owners had another lab for her to play with, and she appeared the become younger!
Smaller dogs may not have these issues, but ask yourself "is the dog going to enjoy this?" We've heard dogs barking while they were locked in a caravan all day, didn't seem they were enjoying themselves.
The answer to "should I take my dog?" is "if you want to".
If you do, remember to take vaccination papers with you, keep flea and tick control at a maximum, and clip her to make tick inspections easier.
You will have to accept limitations because you have the dog, like being excluded from national parks. Many van parks won't allow you to leave the dog unattended if you go exploring, and also its illegal (at least in NSW) to leave a dog unattended in a car.
We have 2 golden Retrievers who travel with us and we find there are a lot of places we cannot visit. We like to walk to the end of jetties and at Busselton, WA were not allowed to take them on to the jetty. Also in WA had to pay bonds for them which were returned if they hadn't barked or poohed around camp site. Twice we had to pay $20 and once $50 at Mandurah. They were the ones who checked the site before refunding my money. Like you we had the dogs before the van. They are nearly 8 so we wouldn't leave them behind and they do make us exercise more than normal!!
I think it's so sad that in a country that owes so much to the dog, sheep, cattle and guard dogs that it's so discriminatory against them now. Overseas dogs allowed into national parks and in Sth. Africa even 5 star hotels have dog kennels so you can travel with your dog. Travel with your dog, we do and if they don't want my dog, I don't want them, spend my money at a pet friendly establishment.
Peter
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Cheers Peter and Sue
"If I agree with you we'll both be wrong"
No, I'm not busy, I did it right the first time.
Self-powered wheelie walker, soon a power chair (ex. Nomad)
Hi
I travel with my two Whippet boys and would not think of leaving them elsewhere, they are my family and best mates and they love travelling too.
As I used to live in Darwin I have travelled through the NT and across the Kimberleys and right down the WA Coast, back then it was my older Whippet (Clancy) and my now gone Labbie Carlin....we had no problems at all, of course one has to ensure that Labbies don't go for a dip in Croc country, no issues with the Whippies though, the water has to be warm for them!
As an ex Obediance Trial 'junkie' my boys have pretty reliable recalls and general training, although my younger boy is very scared of bigger dogs - woosy Whippet!
On that trip through WA I met other dog people at Kununurra and we kept meeting up near NP's and dog sitting for each other, I always offer to dog sit for others when I am on the road now, it works so well.
I would be taking the little girl with you and enjoying her company and training her to be good on the travels for the future.
annie
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Connor - Whippet
Ciaran - Whippet
Annie - after my 2nd cup of coffee I'm almost human! Together we are pawsaroundoz!
Thanks everyone for your comments...all very sensible...I just need to make my mind up...perhaps toss a coin as all points are really valid!
Have a great day,
Sue
Snip As an ex Obediance Trial 'junkie' my boys have pretty reliable recalls and general training, although my younger boy is very scared of bigger dogs - woosy Whippet!
one of my Iggys is also afraid of big dogs, but honestly I wish they both were. I can't count the number of times I've had to rescue my younger dog from a fight that he started with a big dog. So far he's always been quick enough to avoid getting bitten, but I don't fancy the vet bills if his luck ever runs out. And the owners of the big dogs are often embarrassed that their 40+kg bruiser is having a go at a 7kg (wringing wet) miniature greyhound. Especially if they didn't see that my little guy took the first bite!
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Cheers, Marianna.
The more I learn about people, the more I like my dogs (Mark Twain)
I did notice one thing.. and yes I have to make sure our dog get it as well..if you head nth above Sydney into tick country make sure that you have a Good Clip to get the coat nice and short..
it will do 2 thing's..
1 - make it easier to spot Tick's..
2 - make the dog more comfortable in the hot humid environment..
Juergen
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IF I say something Dumb.. Just Smack me..
I'm full of Knowledge.. I don't profess to know EVERYTHING, but I'm constantly Learning new thing's..
Take her with you and enjoy your pet ,just use your lead and keep her vaccs up to date best of luck mike ps/ We have been right around one and a half times with ours a german shepherd and only had a problem once with other peoples dogs running loose
-- Edited by mike e on Friday 6th of December 2013 01:22:42 PM
We are takeing our silky to Tasmania in January 2014 for 5 months I find the best part of takeing the dog is she makes you get up at a reasonable time and walk her other wise I would sleep in past 630 o I wish .
No realy it is good to have your pet with you it helps to give you things to keep you on the go there can be a lot of down time when you are traveling .
You tend to stop more often on the road as well
Andrew
. And there's not all that many times I've missed out on going somewhere I wanted to go.
))))))
