Traveling
with pets will be much more enjoyable if you have all the essentials.
Pack a doggie duffle and check the list before putting it on board for
each trip. Any soft sided bag with a few pockets, a long shoulder strap
and shorter handles for hand carrying is perfect for shoving under a
seat. Naturally, the dog's health records will go into one of the
pockets.
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| Higgins is packed and ready to hit the road. His doggie duffle contains what he will need whether it is for a weekend or a month in the RV. Photo Christy Powers |
In
one pocket, have a piece of paper or index card with a list of
everything that needs to be included in this bag for a trip. 3X5 index
cards come in handy for this purpose and so do many other uses
including grocery and to-do lists. Have a stack of them and don’t
forget to put a pen in that pocket as well. You will constantly be
adding to this list as you go along.
Most
important item – clean up bags. Fold top sandwich bags work great if
you feed a good food and the residue is not too large. Boxes of 100 are
inexpensive and take up very little space.
Leashes
are a must. The flexible extension leashes are great where there is
space for the dogs to move around a bit after a long drive. For more
confined spaces, have a 4 to 6 foot leash for each pet. I make 6 foot
leashes from webbing and snaps available at hardware stores. Chew proof
tie outs are a necessity whether you are parked for the night or a
week. They come in a variety of lengths from six feet to 20 feet.
Different sizes work for different circumstances so it is helpful to
have several lengths.
Keep
grooming supplies together in some sort of case or bag so they are
handy at home but are ready to go into the duffle before hitting the
road. A good slicker brush, steel comb, nail clippers, tweezers for
taking out stickers and other unwanted objects and a
pair of scissors plus a vial of styptic powder are the basics. Don't
forget the dog's tooth brush and paste. A men’s toiletries bag,
preferably with a carrying handle, works well.
Two
terry towels for wiping wet and dirty feet should be in the duffle. The
smaller hand towel size dries quickly and when one is dirty, you have a
dry, clean spare.
FOR EMERGENCIES, like when your dog rolls in dead fish or some other
ghastly smelly thing, no rinse shampoo is a life saver. Hopefully you
will not need it but just in case. Something new that I wish I would
have invented is pet wipes. Made by 3M, these are similar to people
wipes except they are bigger, tougher and have aloe and vitamin E to
clean and moisturize. The paper dispenser holds eight wipes so they are
easy to pack in the duffle.
Another
handy item is the Absorb-A-Towel. This is a brand name but these are
cloths –a combination between a sponge and a chamois. You get them wet,
squeeze them out, and they pull moisture out of a wet dog. When damp,
they pull an amazing amount of dust and dirt off of your dog without
having a bath. They also are super for washing the RV and windows. Ask
for them at a pet store or check pet supply catalogs. A similar product
is sold at auto supply stores.
For pets on the go,
stacking stainless steel bowls work well. Have a food dish for each pet
and an especially designed spill proof water bowl. If you feed some
canned food, keep a small can opener in the bag. Don't forget food and
water.
Each pet should be wearing a collar
with ID with rabies tags. But an extra collar for each is a good safety
precaution. Breaking a collar in the middle of nowhere is a pain, and
trust me, it happens. Cats should always wear a
secure harness when you are parked and an escape route might provide a
temptation. A lightweight long leash will keep your cat close by.
Carry a spare harness just in case.
Start the trip by
checking the list and having everything in the duffle. Once on the
road, some of these items, like leashes and clean up bags, might be
kept in more user friendly places in the RV. Remember to add to the
list as needed.
A well supplied
duffle bag for your pet ensures that you will have what you need while
on the go. If you should happen to spend a night away from the RV, grab
the duffle and you are prepared.
Send your questions or comments to Christy Powers at cpwrather@earthlink.net.
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Camping and RVing with Dogs
Get expert advice on traveling with a dog and learn about dog-friendly campgrounds and RV parks from coast to coast. This is the only book published today about camping and RVing with dogs. |
