Traveling with Dogs in the National Parks

[mitch5252]

...and Jackson Hole will always be special because I left part of my heart there but I knew when I left Ohio that spring that Herschel was not expected to return to Ohio. But he surprised everyone and traveled successfully for three months with small accommodations and good drugs. I like to think he thought Wyoming was so beautiful that it looked like heaven to him.

..
Dangit, you made me cry.
What an absolutely and perfectly incredible dog Herschel was.
..

[judi]

When I visit Denali this summer I will have to let Koka stay in the RV while I hike the trails. No pets allowed on any trails. She doesn't seem to mind being left, and sleeps while I'm gone. Before I retired she would be alone all day when I was in my office so it's not a new thing for her. She's not a barker, thank goodness. But her very favorite thing is to go show-shoeing. When I get my snow shoes out of the closet she dances around like an insane creature.

Birdbybird's story made me cry as well. We have to remember what a privilege it is to be able to share life with our pets.

[Bethers]

Aw, Tina, you explained it so well. And, yes, there are tears in my eyes, too.

I have to say when I started on my rving journey I had two dogs - both getting on in age. Tips was definitely a senior citizen and my vet kept telling me how lucky I was that he was still in good health and with me (other than arthritis, etc). I honestly believe that the traveling lengthened his life by a year or maybe more. He loved so much to see and smell the new places we went, even as he could do less and less. He and Moxie (and now Peaches) met vets in several places - and I must say, unlike finding a doctor for myself, I've been so very impressed with nearly every vet I've taken any of the dogs to. Tips and Moxie both needed to see vets in emergency situations... and in Tip's case, when his last day came, it was a holiday and the vet and one of his techs met Tips and me at his office. There's just something about people who love animals.

[retiredhappy]

All of us who met Herschel loved him completely. A sweeter dog never lived.

[Colliemom]

Thank you for your comments Ladies. Both thought provoking and insightful as well as a bit of heartbreaking as well (Herschel).

It is hard to deal with a geriatric dog I know. Sassy is the longest living collie I have owned to date, going on 12 and a half July 1st. At the moment she is doing okay, her arthritis seems to be holding at bay for the most part, but her eyesight is causing her a bit of an issue with depth perception on steps and seeing things straight down, but she is managing and I also will help her if I see she is stuck. She does have some bouts of confusion once in a while, I think a lot of it has to do with loss of hearing for the most part and she can't hear where I am. She panics if I get out of her sight especially in the yard. But I keep my eye on her, so we do fine.

I'm going to a trip into Michigan's U.P. next month, touring the peninsula and some of the places I haven't been for a few years. Also want to stay at some state parks I haven't been too and go to the waterfalls along the Black River at the south end of the Porcupine Mt. State Park. So that will tell me how she does on the long trip department. She used to love to jump in the truck and to, but now days, she kind of balks at it. I think being the only dog, she missed a "doggie" companion. Although when she is around other dogs, after about 10 or 15 minutes, she done with them. Guess she hasn't found that "spark" she's looking for in another dog yet. Needs to have that right personality. she also doesn't like hot weather anymore, never did, but as she gets older, I think she likes it less and less. Too warm with that coat she has and I think hot weather stresses older dogs as well.

[Rufflesgurl]

Sue - forgot to mention that my Shih Tzu is now 13 and my daughter's Shih Tzu is 15-1/2 has lived with me for a couple years. . So, both are very senior and would rather be with me and do like the MH. Climbing the steps into the Class A is getting a little difficult for them though. I bet Sassy would rather be with you too. Enjoy your trip to the UP!!

Linda

[BarbaraRose]

...and Jackson Hole will always be special because I left part of my heart there but I knew when I left Ohio that spring that Herschel was not expected to return to Ohio. But he surprised everyone and traveled successfully for three months with small accommodations and good drugs. I like to think he thought Wyoming was so beautiful that it looked like heaven to him.

..
Dangit, you made me cry.
What an absolutely and perfectly incredible dog Herschel was.
..

Me too!! I never even got to meet him but could sense his specialness from what everyone wrote about him and seeing his photos.

I think that whatever would make Sassy happy and comfortable would be the best choice.

[ediemarie]

our 'girls,' lucy (a stray, poodle-maltese-bischon-ish) tina (a stray, long hair Chihuahua-ish, my 4pounder!) and daisy (inherited from my partners mom, a weiner-boston terrier-ish) are a big part of the decision to purchase the MH in the first place. seemed like every time we went somewhere we would always talk about how the much fun the girls would have if they were with us. now they're with us every time! and we were correct, they do seem to enjoy themselves.

in reading the thread some one had posted something about people that love animals. I agree to the point that if you don't 'like' animals then i'm not real sure about you!

cheers - EM