Before taking "FIDO" on a road trip read this but also listen to me please.
Every year I get folks calling me crying that their dog is missing either from their road trip or from the kennel where they kenneled the pooch at.
Before you go on the road trip..... Comb out "Fido's fur" place it inside an envelope along with a copy of their shot records and color photos of your dog. "Make a Lost dog poster saying "Reward for safe return no questions asked" make 10 copies, put them inside plastic page protectors. If they become lost you now can put posters up immediately in the area.
Lose the collars. Dogs are killed every single year from collars getting caught on furniture, brush on the trail etc. Go with a comfortable harness with your dogs id on the back. On the id (besides microchipping your dog) put a next of kin's phone # in case you are killed or severely injured from an MVA (motor vehicle accident). or crazy shooter on the freeways.
Make sure you have a dog leash and use it. Don't ever walk the trails with your dog off lead. I carry a 15' lead for both of my dogs that attaches to their harnesses. I also use their harness as a Dog SEAT BELT.
Dog seat belts are a must. I get one email a day from some IDIOT who didn't seat belt their dog and the dog was ejected from an MVA. Not only do you risk killing your dog but also everyone else in the vehicle when your dog becomes a projectile at 55 mph. snapping your neck like a twig. Seat belts save lives.
Make sure you check ahead for locations that allow your dog inside the motel. Dog thefts are on the rise everywhere. As much as I don't like fast food, it would be very hard for someone to steal my dogs when I have someone else in the car watching them during bathroom breaks, fast food orders etc,
Watch for local predators and snakes. Because of the extreme heat waves, snakes are abundant at rest stops, near motels/hotels, and on the trails. Carry a bite stick or walking stick (ski poles work great) to put between you and your dog, and the attacking critter. Also a good idea is to carry bear mace. Make sure it's on your hip in a holster or on the outside of your back pack while hiking with your 10 essentials.
Also make a good dog first aid kit. Also carry some hydrogen peroxide incase your dog eats something it's not supposed to on the way to make him/her vomit.
Make a list before you go of local 24 hour emergency vets along your driving route and email their name address phone# numbers to yourself.
Or print out a hard copy. I also make dog splints out of wood or pcv tubing and kling before I go.
Carry lots and I mean lots of water. two five gallon containers of water secured inside the vehicle.
If you're going to leave fido with a kennel or someone to watch over fido while you're gone. make sure they are INSURED in case of loss.
We get 1 call a week from a vet's office, or kennel or dog walker who has lost their clients pets.
I would also make sure they have security cameras and all the missing dog info i've listed here. And my email. sardogk91@aol.com web site www.k9sardog.com
Have a save trip and remember most dogs are not allowed on the trails in National parks.
Harry Oakes K9 SAR coordinator and missing pet expert.
