Travels with dogs

My dogs are 10 years old this year. I hate to admit it, but it was only in the last several years that I have come to know the joys of going on vacation and bringing my dogs with me. I know, I know, what took me so long? Let's not dwell in the past! We've been making some getaway plans for Summer and Fall and I'm all amped to get outta the office and take the pups.

Are you like me... Do you have your dog stuff all packed and ready to go before you tend to your own stuff?

Molly is a great car traveler, mostly awake, but relaxed. Ben on the otherhand, sits upright and is super anxious, panting heavily and drooling for the entire journey... it could be for 5 minutes or 5 hours. I made the mistake of tucking my sleeping bag once behind the drivers seat to extend the bench in the backseat for the dogs. Upon unloading, I discovered a wet sleeping bag. It worked great as a slobber soaker upper! I've tried herbal calming pills and sprays on Ben to no avail. Long walks and vigorous activity before employing the troops to the truck doesn't make a difference with Ben. I take them with me all the time on errands, the local parks, visiting friends, etc. so it's not as if the only time Ben gets in the car is to go to the vet.

To test it's effects, I did give an herbal pill to Molly... it worked on her great! She was practically comatose for 4 hours! Sorry Molly!

I'm all about positive thinking and employing good energetics with my dogs, but his car travel anxiety is something I have yet to work with him successfully on. I guess for him, it's not about the journey ("Are we THERE yet?"), it's all about the destination.

Ah, the destinations. Private stretches of beaches. Serpentine trails. Open meadows. The countryside, the quiet. Bubbling creeks and that most wonderful smell when you are deep into the woods. And the dogs freakin love every second of it. They don't walk where they are going, they trot, they gallop, hell they are practically skipping. You try and skip and see if you can keep a negative thought in your mind. Impossible, yes? Those dogs, they got the right idea! For me, they are the ideal travel buddies!