It's really not hard to travel with your pet. Whether you are becoming a full-time RV'er or just traveling for a short period of time, don't hesitated or be afraid to take your little furry love one with you. Most pets travel well, with a few exceptions to some that may get car sickness.

When we first started out as full-timers, we had a six year old heinz 57, named Coco Marie. Now Coco was very loyal (specially to my husband, Brian). She loved to go camping and thought each trip was a great adventure. So when we hit the road, she was ready-for the most part.

However, just like humans, they need to adapt to the change as well. Usually pets are happy as long as they are with their master. But they also have a routine and don't like changes as well. So it's our jobs to make sure that they stay happy and are adjusting to the new changes in their lives.

Here are some helpful tips to help your pet adjust to the new change in thier life:

• First of all, take them for long walks in their "new" territory. Allow them to sniff and check out all the new smells to them.
• Try not to change their eating pattern. This helps with the new transaction. If feeding on a regular basis, it's important to keep that pattern going on the road. This way they feel that ALL hasn't changed with them. Coco would go through a period when she wouldn't eat. So I made a game out of eating. I would pretend that I would eat her food if she didn't-worked every time!
• After a while, they will realize they are not going "home" and may slip into a depression. Make sure you take extra time to give them extra loving and hugs. Talk soothing to your pet, if they hear your voice and hear how relax you are, they too will calm down and relax.
• With the exceptions of motor homes; DON'T allow your pet to ride in the rig, but instead in the vehicle with you. If you normally put your pet in a kennel or cage when traveling, keep that routine. That's their "safe haven". But don't forget about them in there. Make sure that you talk to them, pet them, give them a little snack or treat to let them know all is okay. Both of our dogs ALWAYS has rode up front with us. We have a bed where Leah sits/lays on and she is allowed to look around. We have taught her that she is NOT allowed on my lap when I am driving, but occassionally she is allowed on her daddy's lap to snooze, smell or look at different scenery.
• While on the road ake sure that your pet gets plenty of water. It's VERY, VERY important to keep them hydrated. Coco wouldn't drink when we were on the road, and we would have to encourage her to drink by placing small amounts of water on her snoot. Leah drinks fairly well, but again we sometimes have to do that same method to her as well.
• Take more breaks and longer. Just like you, you pet needs to stop and do their business as well as stretch their legs. Allow them a little extra time to sniff and smell.
• When you stop to buy food, maybe buy your pet a special treat that they love. Remember-human food isn't good for them....We use to feed Coco human food and every once in a while we would buy her a burger with nothing on it. She loved it! Now, Leah we don't feed human food, but we buy special little treats for her instead. Sometimes we will buy her a bone so that when we stop, she really can have a special treat.

You can take your pet into Canada and Mexico; although we haven't done that, we know people that have. From our understanding, you will need to take their shot records (which have to be updated) and I beleive an updated physical exam that has been done within the 6 mo to year. Ask your vet what will be required, he should know. We always ask for copies whenever we take our pet to the vet and we keep them in the truck so we have them with us where ever we go, should we need them.

The one place you probably won't want to take your pet to is Hawaii. In order for you loving pet to visit Hawaii, they must be quaranteed (yes, away from you) for a legnthy time. To me that would send me into a depression-imagine what it would do to them! So if you want to visit that state, maybe leave your pet with someone that you trust your own life with to take care of them.

Vetinarians: They are not hard to find and are in most cities and small towns. We have only found one since traveling that we questioned his ability as a vetinarian. It was with Coco and the place wasn't the cleanest. We probably should have walked out and gone to another town, but we didn't. He wanted to test her for Heart Worm Disease and then he try to tell us that she tested positive. We knew there was no way, for she was ALWAYS on the Heart Guard. So make sure you check the vet out. AND it's VERY, VERY important that you keep up on your pets yearly shots and phyisical. Also make sure you do the monthly flea & tick med and the monthly Heart Guard. KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY, WISE & HAPPY!!

We hope you find this helpful when making that decision about traveling with your pet. Remember they ARE part of you!!!

Whenever they are soothing and comforting you, you are soothing and comforting them.......