my 18 yr old dog, who seemed very frail, has a new lease of life and doesn't look like dying any time soon. I'm hitting the road in Feb, and just might be taking her with me. Nearly blind, nearly deaf, sometimes incontinent (the dog, not me!)...hates the car....
I did a 4 month trip a while back with 2 large dogs. One got sick (turned out to be pancreatitis). He was getting me up 2,3,4 times a night to go outside. Sometimes I'd have to pull over in a hurry to let him out of the car. It wasn't easy.
My house is now sold and I'll be out there in a few weeks time. Sadly my dog didn't make it and I had to put him down a few weeks back, but, sickness and stiffness aside ( lifting 32kg in and out of car), he would have come with me and we would have coped. It's like any hurdle, you find a way if you really want to.
Good luck with your decision.
MJ
We have met a couple of GN's whose much loved dog passed away while they were travelling. It left them not only grief stricken, but wondering what to do with their pets remains. One couple had their dog cremated and were taking the ashes home to bury in the back garden, another buried the ashes somewhere near where they were at the time.
Sorry to say this, but realistically you will need to plan for this eventually. Very best wishes to you and your dear old hound.
Thanks for that advice.
I suppose if she sticks around until I leave, I'll take her.
If she liked driving...it wouldn't be such a problem....but she's not going to like travelling.
But yes, we'll cope. :)
My Chihuahua was diagnosed with liver cancer & renal disease at 16 but was still reasonably well. I'd just got my motorhome & wanted to do one last trip together. It was lovely weather so we went to the beach, a place not too far from home and I made sure there would be a vet close by. As soon as we left home it became obvious that she was very anxious & stressed which was something she'd never been before so I put it down to the fact that it was such a different vehicle to the car - front engine & a bit noisy. She was panting & overheated, I had to put the AC on for her & stopped I don't know how many times during our 200km trip. She was fine when we were stopped but terrible on the road. We did 2 more very short trips & after that I decided no more travelling. She deserved to live out her days at home in her own secure environment where she felt safe and I knew her vet she'd had for years was close by.
You can't put your life on hold forever but your little dog is 18 and surely can't go on much longer. If she didn't mind the travelling then I'd say take her because she'd be happy as long as she was with you, but as you have pointed she hates it so is it fair on her to put her through it? If you just can't wait till she's gone you could possible ask your vet for some pills to relax her while you travel. That may be an option if her medical situation allows it.
Good luck whatever you decide because in the in the end it's your decision to do the right thing for yourself & your little mate.
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The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page.
we in the past few weeks lost our best mate TJ it is so hard not having him around so much fun and his smiling face look at you with so much wisdom enjoy as i know you will with the time you have
