We have 2 Chow Chows, which are about labrador sized dogs, tail over back, furry and blue tongues. Yes, blue tongues. They are a different type of dog coming from China and have this cat like attitude of "I am better than you" a lot of the time but are very intelligent and really only show that to family humans or people they really like. If they dont really like you they will ignore you, just like a cat and yes, they DO actually clean their faces like cats do and the very rare one WILL purr like a cat. I did have one like that in all the decades that I have had Chows.

Anyway, they are exceptionally strong - I had lightning crack right across the top of us when in the yard and one Chow ran at the paling fence and smashed right through it with ease, in fright. Our current two are a soon to be 6 year old boy and a soon to be 3 year old girl who actually happens to be the boy's litter sister's daughter so we have uncle and neice as it turned out. The girl has been desexed.

We have, up until now, taken them with us to dog friendly accommodation to Coffs Harbour (we live in Blue Mountains NSW) and to Broken Hill. The Broken Hill trip is about 1100K and we do the trip there in about 14 hours, wandering along for the most part and stopping here and there.

While we havent officially entered the Grey Nomad "tour" as yet due to still getting things together, we want to know more and hopefully share a little. So I am asking about fencing strong enough to hold a Labrador sized dog that can fold flat and be stored in transit. Our Chows WILL jump the fence if it is only as tall as them but they do tend to obey the boundaries when we set up our flimsy fencing inside the house now. There is no doubt they could push it down but they never do. Unfortunately the boy is sometimes a little excited, not in a bad way, when he sees another dog wanting to go play with it and he is a TALL boy for a Chow and about 37Kg. If he wants out, he could do it. So, any help on this issue would be appreciated.

I noted, on the Broken Hill trip, roadside rest areas with child play areas fenced and gated like pools are. The fencing was strong enough to contain the dogs if I had have put them in there and tall enough so I thougt that something along those lines but portable would be OK. The problem is to have it all standing and not able to be pushed over. One Chow I had a long time ago would push an outside run fence sideways until the cage door would be out of kilter and pop open. I had to end up cementing it in after that.

I know there are sites that show accommodation that allow pets to be with you so you can rent houses and such so am asking if anyone recommends a particular site where, with a caravan in tow, I could bring my dogs and not have to face a caravan park owner refusing me entry because of them.

Lastly, the thought of what to do has already been around. We couldnt possibly put up with a new pup anymore but we love our Chows and also dogs in general. If you are fit enough to do the tour, you probably expect to last for quite some time yet. So it occurred to us that if it comes to a point where we are now without our loved ones as age has taken them, there are a heck of a lot of places around that have rescue dogs where they arent necessarily badly behaved but maybe the elderly owner has passed away and the dog needs a new home. If any of you are thinking about this like me, then this may just be something you can do - give a dog that needs a home a travelling home and a good life. Hope that helps some of you.

For my part, generally getting along healthwise OK but not fabulously due to previous dire health problems. I get mad at myself when I find I cannot do a normal thing that anyone my age can do so I keep at it until I can. It is just mild exercise really but as a result I think I am fitter now than 10 years ago....even a few years ago. Thus, along with the desire to move around the country comes the desire to just keep moving generally. I think it would be more than annoying to get to that place you always wanted to see but it has a sand dune in front of it that you arent allowed to drive over and there is no other way in so you cant see it because you cant walk it. Preparation isnt just the things I need to do the tour but also my own self so I can enjoy it. Sure, I still need to sleep an hour of an arvo but that's life and having a caravan with me makes even that easy!

I guess wanting to move around and take the dogs with you is a very Aussie thing. I hear the same sentiment all over the place.

Oh and lastly - when you actually leave on the tour, do you sell the house and buy afterwards?