Vaccinations on board, we broke out of COVID confinement in May, loaded the car with our two dogs and their paraphernalia — a considerable amount with seniors who require special food and medication — and ventured to Oklahoma and New Mexico for a six-week visit with family and friends we hadn't seen in more than a year.
Our dogs are experienced travelers and quickly settled into the rhythm of being on the road. We did, too, but as always, we picked up some new tips based on our experiences. As you and your animal friends hit the road in the coming months, some of our hard-earned advice may help smooth your path.
Ask what 'pet friendly' means
One of our stays was at the historic La Fonda on the Plaza hotel in Santa Fe, N.M. On the plus side, the dogs could join us at lobby-side tables for meals at the in-house restaurant and treats were handed out lavishly by staff. But we discovered on check-in that we would not be able to leave our sleepy dogs in the room in their crate while we had dinner with friends.
Instead, we had to confer with the concierge, who made several phone calls before finding a pet sitter who could stay with the our dogs in the room at the last minute — at last-minute prices.
Forget a room with a view
When booking, ask for a room on the first or second floor. You'll be grateful when it's time to hustle your dog outdoors for that potty trip first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
Bring plenty of food
Be sure to bring along more pet food than you think you'll need, especially if your pets eat a brand that isn't found everywhere. The store locaters on a company's website might say that stores in the area you're visiting carry its food, but often the selection is small, limited to treats or isn't available in the form your pet is used to eating.
Locate a reliable vet
Before you leave, ask your veterinarian to recommend a colleague in the area where you'll be traveling, or get recommendations from friends and family in the area.
Watch for local hazards
We have foxtails in California, but our suburban housedogs don't ever come in contact with them. But in the gorgeous riverfront backyard of our Airbnb in Embudo, N.M., our dogs were at risk from these plants, the seed heads of which can cause irritation or serious infection.
Red ants were another concern. It seemed impossible to avoid them as we walked the dogs in and out of the various homes where we were staying.
Fortunately, we had only one incident that might have involved an ant sting, and Keeper recovered quickly with some TLC.
Be on the lookout for ticks
We knew we were heading to tick country, so we kept a close eye out for them, but at least one slipped past our defenses. I took Harper to the veterinarian the day after we returned home, and he came out to the car bearing the body of a deer tick he'd found on her neck. Next time, I'll add a tick preventive to the complement of medicine we take on the road.
Tailor your trip
With young pets, a driving trip is a chance to build a bond and to enhance their social skills. With dogs in their prime, it's an active vacation filled with hiking, dog sports and exploration. With seniors, a well-planned trip can be a memory maker you can look back on with love, hopefully while planning a few more trips to take together in the future.
