WE're full-timing with a Mini Chineese Shar Pei. We do love the dog. WE've been lucky lately, and have been on rv park where we can let the dog outside for hours.
I really do love my dog, but if I would have known that all the bad side of full timing with a dog (Specially freedom & National Park, airport), I wouldn't have bought one. So if ever she have to go, we won't replace her until we're off the road.
This is something we've been worrying about in our run up to going fulltiming. We will have 3 dogs with us. We will do our best to bring them with us when we go sightseeing as much as possible. We want them to enjoy this adventure as much as we will. But there will be times when we want to go somewhere where the dogs aren't allowed so we will have no choice but to leave them in the trailer. How they're going to react we don't know yet. On one of the few trips we made already I set up a camera to record them while we were gone and most of the time they were quiet and slept. The threat of the power going out and losing A/C on a hot day is the biggest worry. I did think about the idea of leaving a key and cell phone number with the management in case anything happens or they start barking too much so they can call us and we can come back.
We have really thought about this very seriously over our nearly 9 years on the road. We have seen many, many folks with dogs and cats and other pets. We have come to the conclusion that having pets again while fulltiming is not for us.
Not fair to the pets or us. We are not willing to make the sacrifices and add to our stress levels which came way down when the last of the critters went to the bridge.
We love animals and had them always, but not while we are fulltiming.
Dianne
Donnelly, ID
DataStorm
HAM WB6N (Terry)
2005 Teton 39' Frontier Grand
2003 Freightliner FL60
Life Member Good Sam
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I dont know Diane , I certainly respect your opinon, but life without my buddy would be terrible. I just cannot imagine not having him with me . Do not even want to think about it.
When I made the decision to get him, I also told myself of the consequences of doing so. I accepted those restraints and I live with them each and every day, but I promise you, he makes up for everything. That is why I tell everyone that thinks about getting a pet, whether fulltime or not, think of the consequences and if you do get one, accept the responsibilities of having one. If everyone did that, you would not have all the problems. Many pet owners put themselves first, instead of on equal ground .
Wacky, we always made that commitment when we got our animals. One of our cats was nearly 20 when we lost her. Our dogs lived to ripe old ages. Even our budgie was nearly 20.
When we accept an animal in our lives, it is for the long term......
My goodness...Terry has been in my life for nearly 50 years
Dogs are wonderful animals, but we have chosen not to have any more pets. It is so nice not to have to limit our activities because of a dog or cat. The freedom...no kids...no pets..it is great.
2006 32' Keystone Everest
2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3 Power Stroke Diesel
1971 Camaro in storage Keep A Light On, We're On Our Way
Highway Stars wrote: Dogs are wonderful animals, but we have chosen not to have any more pets. It is so nice not to have to limit our activities because of a dog or cat. The freedom...no kids...no pets..it is great.
That's how we feel, too....we frequently see dogs that are SO CUTE and cuddly-looking, but when we consider the amount of freedom they'd take away (to say nothing of the thought of picking up their poop!), we just decide that a pet isn't for us. Unfortunately, we may someday inherit MIL's dog--if that happens, we'll certainly be as responsible dog owners as we expect others to be, but it's not something we're looking forward to.
"Time passes but memories remain"
Fulltime since Jan. 2004
40' Allegro Zephyr
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