I'm new to Grey Nomads. My husband still works full-time, but I only work part-time now. When hubby and I retire in a few years, we would like to do the biggie around Australia with our caravan. We have made a few 2 - 8 week forays, and love the lifestyle. Now ideally, when we retire, I would love to have a small dog keep us company on our travels, but hubby is against the ide, as he says a dog would cause too many problems. I know lots of you take your pets with you, so I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer. I won't get one if hubby is really against the idea, but how can I try to convince him it will be okay?
I have a little dog and we plan to do the travel and work thing in a couple years. There is no way I could leave him at home, so he is coming too. My problem is that I'm trying to convince my hubby to let me get another small dog as company for the one I have. He says it will be too restrictive with two. I think it will be more restrictive with just one because there is no way known I will leave my dog in a kennel by himself if we want to check out things without him. My boy suffers bad separation anxiety and I couldn't relax if I left him by himself in a strange place.
Thanks for replying, sucastja. I know what you mean. Both my adult children work 12 hour day and night shift work, and I've told them the same thing. When you get a pet, get two at the same time, because they will keep each other company when you're at work, so I agree with you whole-heartedly. And I don't think two dogs would be twice the trouble - you can walk two dogs just as easily as one, they would keep each other company when you're out sight-seeing, and if they are small breeds, they would cost the same amount to feed as one average-size dog. I wonder if you could try 'borrowing' one of your friends' dogs that your dog is friendly with, and try going for a short weekend trip away. Might be just what your hubby needs, so he can see how it could work. Hmmmm, might be just what mine needs too!
-- Edited by Romy5152 on Tuesday 3rd of May 2011 08:33:58 PM
Hi there, we are new well, 13th Dec 2010 and have a ****er spaniel, Chad who is 7yrs young, he is the best company and is the 1st PERSON !!!! recognised by fellow travellers, not us, lots of nomads have pets, one had chooks so as to have fresh eggs all the way !!! others birds, they are great company, the only time we have found a pest is when you go to a restaurant or where they are not accepted (All Big 4 C/Parks) which we found after we had paid the joining fee !!!!! but generally they are a topic of conversation and certainly an easy way to get to chat. Love the Life Marg
Thanks for that, Marg! Chad sounds beautiful and yes, I have no doubt he is great company. Sounds like he has a few fans among the grey nomads too! How do you manage things when Chad wants to go to the toilet when you're travelling? Do you simply take him for a walk when you stop for a toilet break yourself, or when you get fuel, or the like, or does he let you know himself? We've never travelled with a pet before, but I used to have a lovely little female poodle years ago. I would take her outside last thing at night before bed time, but she would always let me know when she wanted to go out in the middle of the night to do any emergency business. It didn't happen very often, but she would sit by the side of my bed, and give the quietest little sound and I would hear her. She was gorgeous.
Hi we are traveling around Aust with our two little dogs. We decided long time back that if we were going to do the big lap a number of times then so should they. The are of course a problem from time to time. In cases like getting into national parks, caravan parks that don't allow dogs, etc we would not have gone without them. Yes, there are issues like toilet stops but we usually get around that ok. During the night there are the occasional times that they need to get out for a wee stop but so do we. With all this in mind we would not be without them. They are great company to travel with and of course they are the first to hear something long before we do. Given all of the above the positives far outweigh the negatives.
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You only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough !!!!!!
We are still both working so can only travel for a few weeks at a time. We always take our fur kid with us and he is a joy to have. But having said that, there are sometimes and places where we cant go because of him. We are happy to make that sacrifice.
However, we have both agreed that when he goes, ( he's about 13 yrs now) we will not replace him until after we have finished the full time travelling we are planning to do on retirement. When that stage is over, I would happily get another small dog just like him, to have at home and enjoy the short trips that we do now.
Each to their own choice of course but please give it very careful consideration, because once you fall in love with your pet, you will be committed for hopefully a very long time.
Hi Kantiki, Thank you. I know what you mean about committment to pets - people who know me well say, if they had a choice, they'd come back as one of my pets in their next life, so that 's never a problem! Yes, it is a definite committment, and sometimes we do have to make sacrifices for our pets, travelling or not, but as you say, it's something you and I would be more than happy to do, and have done many times in the past. I have 2 cats at the moment, and although I wouldn't travel with them (it would be too hard on them - not me), I would love a little dog. I've had lots of food for thought, and everyone has made some great points, so the only decision now is to make a decision!
Happy travelling to you too, Kantiki! We could very well meet up on the road somewhere - just loook for 'Romy' on the back of our caravan!
We travel with 2 mini poodles - yes there are problems but everything has problems sometimes. Of couse the owner needs to be more trained that the dog does - always use a lead, and pick up droppings etc.
They ensure we stop every 2 hours for a rest when travelling, and they have a walk and a wee. They ensure we have better walks than we might otherwise be inclined to have, as they have to be excercised etc regularly... and that's good for the weight.
Never mind parks that won't take dogs- go elsewhere. Get a good guide book and ring ahead if unsure. Try free camps.
We have found that local vets will "day care" as long as you have current vaccination papers with you - forgot them once and missed the Dubbo Zoo.
I have seen people travelling with cats- and the cats don't care! They train them to walk on a lead. I must say cat's would be easier than dogs.... at least they could be left in the van, and wouldn't bark & upset neighbours.
We needed to train our boys to eat more then the preferred chicken, fresh liver and ox hearts which they get at home as its not always possible to ensure supply, so they will eat dry dog foods when travelling.
We also carry a pen which they use when we are sitting around under the awning - saves having them tied up all of the time.
Thanks Rip and Rosie - seems there are pros and cons for travelling with pets, but I can see the pros would outweigh the cons. I guess it depends on how much you would put yourself out for your pet. Personally, I would.
Thanks for your input, and happy traveling with your boys!
-- Edited by Romy5152 on Sunday 19th of June 2011 05:30:40 PM
