I Love Traveling But I Hate Leaving My Dogs

I never sleep alone...except when I travel without my dogs.

Two of my greatest loves - dogs and travel - don't complement each other very well, especially with a reactive dog like Ruby who is not easy to travel with. I've only been on one short business trip since adopting Boca, and while the travel bug is nibbling at me, the thought of nights away from my adored bedtime dog (and cat) pile gives me separation anxiety, not to mention the nervousness about leaving my babies in someone else's care.

Tomorrow I have to suck it up and go on vacation, and with an obsessive planner's lists, instructions, Plans A, B, B1 and B2, plus the fortunate benefit of a trusted family member staying with The Ginger Sisters full time, I'm determined to have a good time without them for a few days!

For the fourth time in ten years, I will be seeing Madonna in concert in with one of my dearest friends. The first time was in L.A., the second with my mom in Denver, and the last time also in Denver when we won front row tickets. We have elaborate costumes and days of fun planned, but I'm sure I'll be caught gazing at other peoples' dogs longingly when we're out and about. I know I'll have a blast but also that I'll miss Ruby's kisses and Boca's silliness, playing tug with Ruby and patting Boca's frog legs. 

Since my dad has been living with us for the past year, he is well versed in the animals' routines and they are accustomed to and fond of him. Boca is still wary about him putting her collar or harness on, but after some crowd-sourced discussions with dog friends I decided I didn't want to leave any gear on her in my absence since my dogs don't wear collars in the house. She will just have to miss out on walks for a few days. My dad already takes Ruby on daily walks so there will be little change in her routine.

The Ginger Sisters have a rather elaborate meal schedule, since they are on a rotation diet and I feed a variety of formats. My dad makes their Honest Kitchen breakfast most mornings, so he is familiar with that, and he has written instructions for their alternating dinners of kibble and frozen raw with their accompanying toppings and supplements.

I've listed all our regular veterinarians as well as emergency/after hours clinics, insurance information, Care Credit information, and a couple of friends as emergency contacts. I think everything is in order and my girls are in the best possible hands. All I have to do now is finish start packing, get in some extra snuggles tonight and reassure myself for the millionth time that everyone will be fine without me for four days!

Who cares for your pets when you go out of town?

I Planned a Trip with My Reactive Dog Before I Knew She Was Reactive

Ruby checking out the accommodations

Last fall's trip to the Mountain Goat Lodge  is something I've wanted to post about, happening as it did in my pre-blog days, and today seemed the perfect time since it coincides with Throwback Thursday. 

I planned this trip just a few weeks after adopting Ruby, before her reactivity really became apparent. It was an extension of a work trip, a dinner meeting in a small Colorado town, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to bond and spend some uninterrupted time with my new rescue dog. 

We took many walks in these foothills

By the time the trip rolled around, we'd decided to discontinue doggie daycare, been politely asked to withdraw from our group obedience class, and I was in full-on panic mode about what I'd gotten myself into with this challenging, high-energy dog. I was nervous about the trip and considered canceling, but thought a change of scenery might do us both some good. 

I packed her crate, dishes, all sorts of treats, food for several days, toys, antler chews, and the dog training book I was reading at the time, Control Unleashed. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew our destination was a family-run, dog-friendly bed and breakfast, and was determined to pull off this mini-vacation. 

Wrestling with Sookie

It was about a 3 1/2 hour drive and Ruby did some barking out the window at cyclists and motorcyclists. We arrived with just enough time to get settled before I had to go into town for my dinner meeting. Our room was homey and comfortable with a view of the Sawatch mountain range. The proprietors also had a goat farm, and we could hear them bleating from their pasture below. 

Ruby immediately buddied up to the owner's miniature Australian shepherd, Sookie. They had so much fun chasing each other around the fenced dog run and Sookie would come scratch on our door when she wanted to play. They were the same size and perfectly matched.

Goofy grin

I left Ruby in her crate while I was at the meeting, and I could hear her barking and whining as I went downstairs. I was gone for several hours and worried that she would not settle down. I didn't get any complaints when I returned, but as a dog-friendly establishment I think they had a high tolerance for that sort of thing. 

Some other guests had arrived, including a couple with a German Shepherd in the neighboring room. The dogs could see each other from our balconies and tended to set each other off. Ruby had trouble settling down that night, and I considered cutting our trip short, but the next morning was so beautiful that I decided to stay on. All things considered, Ruby was doing quite well and seemed to be having some fun. 

Incredible sunsets

I got some breakfast downstairs and visited with some of the other guests, then spent the day reading, taking Ruby for walks on the property and letting her play with Sookie and meeting the resident goats. Ruby was afraid of the goats, which is probably why I didn't get any pictures of them. 

We made a quick trip into town for some fast food that evening and took a stunning sunset walk. A man with three terriers arrived after dark and Ruby was very upset by them. I remember being discouraged during parts of the trip, thinking how such activities would be limited for us, but in hindsight knowing just how reactive she is, I think she did remarkably well.

Tuckered out at last

After another delicious home-cooked breakfast of goat-cheese omelet and fried potatoes, we left the next morning and Ruby said goodbye to her blue-eyed friend Sookie. As I packed up our things, one family was downstairs visiting about Game of Thrones while their teenage son played the piano. Another couple had arrived with a Great Dane and the atmosphere was one of camaraderie and leisure. I was reluctant to leave and wished we could stay a whole week, knowing that Ruby and I were both just starting to relax.

While traveling with a reactive dog is probably not something I will choose to do very often, with careful management and realistic expectations as well as dog-friendly businesses, I am happy to know that it can be done.