The Meaning of Dog: Does A Pet Signal the End Of Your Travel Days?

We recently adopted a dog. He's an adorable Labrador puppy named Mani, and he's part of the family now. So what does that mean about travel?

"I'd love to get a dog," so many other travelers say to me. "But I'm not ready to make the commitment to being in one place. I want to keep moving."

I've always been a strong proponent of not allowing circumstances to get in the way of travel, particularly children. People use children as a reason not to travel, but the reality is it's entirely possible to go anywhere and do anything with your kids if that's what you really want to do.

I don't think the same with pets.

A child can adapt to a new circumstance. She can ride a bus. He can climb a mountain. They can learn to pack light, say goodbye and do everything an adult can do.

A pet cannot.

Is it fair to stick them in kennels underneath the airplane? Sure you can find a pet sitter, but ultimately, if you plan on being gone for a year or longer, is that pet still your pet? How do you take a 500 mile bike trek with your dog?  Crossing borders becomes far more complicated depending on vaccine needs. And exactly how will a dog last on one of those 20 hour bus rides from one end of a country to another?

So what does it mean that we have a dog now?

Does this mean we plan on being in one place for the next ten years or whatever Mani's lifespan will be? Does that mean we might travel short periods of time instead of going free with no return in mind? Does it mean we will move the entire family to another spot in the world and set up shop and home somewhere else for a while? Or maybe it means we travel by car, dog in tow, as we go wherever four wheels can manage?

It means as anything else. There are more questions to ask. There are more complications. It's most definitely not as simple as throwing passport, money and pocket knife in a pack and heading out the door. But as with anything else, we'll figure it out when the time comes.

In the meantime, here are a few websites I've found that might make the trip a little easier.

• The American Veterinary Medical Association Traveling With Pets Brochure

Tips for cat, dog and horse owners covering everything from what to consider with vaccinations, crossing borders and tips for traveling by air, car or bus.

• Fly With Your Emotional Support Animal

This article from Matador Change discusses how "support animal" was originally another word for seeing eye dog or other animal used to help people with disabilities, but now is often used by anyone who wants to avoid the pet transportation fee on airlines.

• Centers for Disease Control Animal Importation Information

All you could possibly want to know regarding laws and regulations related to traveling with your pets. Includes an extremely useful FAQ that includes animals such as birds, reptiles and amphibians as well as the standard mammals (including rodents!). Yes, you can travel with your rat.

• Pets Welcome

A United States based website providing information to travel, camp, ski, lie on the beach, romp in a state park and find a hotel for the night with your pet. Includes a smaller international database of resources as well. 

• International Air Transport Association Pet's Corner

All inclusive instructions on shipping your pet nationally or internationally. Provides recommendations for papers, pet preparation and vaccination.

Photo by SeeMidTN.com

Comments

[Travis Crockett]

Peanut! What a cool name for a dog. :-)

[JoAnna]

We have pets and we travel (though not with them), but we don't travel for several months consecutively. Because my husband's a teacher, I know someone is around at least nine months out of the year. We do take trips for a week or two at a time, and yes, we have a pet sitter who comes and stays with the kids while we're gone. It works for us, but then again, I'm not gone for long durations of time like some travelers.

[Aracely]

I want pictures of Mani!

I really like your thinking, "we'll figure it out when the time comes." Life already has too many daily decisions. There is no need to make decisions when you can wait. I wish Jason's mom had that philosophy. ;)

[Keith]

My wife and I have three cats. We've gone on 5 and 6 week trips in the last few years, and we've just had to line up caretakers to come every other day. Cats require a bit less maintenance than dogs though. I know Almost Fearless has two dogs and she makes traveling work.

What does it mean that you've gotten a dog? I think it depends on how you decided to get one. Was it spur of the moment? Something you'd planned for many months? etc.

[Leigh Shulman]

I'm very much of the belief that once I get a dog (or any pet), that I take responsibility for that pet for the rest of its life. So leaving to travel for extended periods of time, now, isn't really an option. Unless, like you, one of us stays behind with Mani.

So I suppose I do mean that free open ended international travel is off the menu for a while.

But that's ok, because there are so many other types of travel, and I can definitely see us moving somewhere else internationally and bringing him with us.

[Leigh Shulman]

I hope I have that philosophy when Lila is Jason's age.

Photos of Mani coming soon. Probably on Facebook.

xoL

[Leigh Shulman]

I love cats. Had them for years in NY. Found two at the pound when they were 3 months old and we moved around NYC for the next 13 years.

I don't know what Christine does with her dogs, but I imagine they stay in one place mostly. A friend I met in BsAs brought his dog with him. And I've read of a couple who are traveling around the world with a kitty in their backpack.

As for Mani. We've known for a while we wanted a dog, mostly for Lila. I think it's so important for kids to grow up with animals. So once we realized we would be here for a bit, then a friend offered us this little pup, we said yes.

How do you think it differs depending on how much planning went into getting a pet?

[Leigh Shulman]

Lol. Jokes on us. He's going to be enormous. He's just three months now, and I can't barely pick him up anymore.

So we just say his name is Manuel. Or that he's the color of a peanut, which he sort of is.

[OverYonderlust]

We have had a dog for the past 9 years and we now have to find a permanent home for him once we leave to South America. I think it would be unfair of us to ask for him back 6 months to a year down the line. :(

[Leigh Shulman]

I hear you. That had been our plan with our cats. They were quite a bit older, though and both ended up dying of old age right before we left.

It's tough. But when you know you've found a good home for them, it's the best you can do.

(And hopefully we'll see you here in Argentina, but that is another story).

[Jason]

This article is about travel and dogs not my mom and I! Lol

[Erica]

Watch it! You offer your place and we will be there with bells on! <3

[OverYonderlust]

<.< Meant to sign in. :X

[Kyle]

Meh, you'll cross the travel bridge when you get there. In the meantime, enjoy the company of your new peanut dog! Sooo adorable.

[Carolina]

Oh, let me know how it works out for you guys. We have a serious I-want-a-puppy thing going on here in our household but, among other things, I'm worried about our travels with a dog in our family.