I always share my blogs and photos about my travel, especially motorcycle travel, but this time, in addition, I want to dispel the myth that you can't travel if you have a dog.
I have had a dog, or two, since 1990. And in that time, I've traveled to 40 countries. Also in that time, I've lived abroad.
I won't stop traveling until my health prevents me from doing it. But I also won't stop ever having a dog in my family until my health prevents me from doing it. Both are a priority and both are absolutely possible. Take either away, and I'll crumble mentally.
Let's be clear: my employment (or lack there of), the limitations on how much vacation my husband can take and my budget prevent me traveling far, far more than having a dog.
I have a part-time job now, with no benefits, including no paid vacation, but I can't take unpaid vacation absolutely any time I want - I was hired to do work, and that work needs to be done, and sometimes, that work means I don't go somewhere when I want to. In addition, I don't have a big budget, since I haven't been fully employed since 2005, and that also keeps me from doing all I want to do in terms of travel.
And then there's lack of vacation time: even if I had a full-time job, I would be in the same boat as my husband, because this is the USA, where most people get just two weeks paid vacation. Some get three. Some get four. But no more. This is in stark contrast to Europe, where most people get six. Four weeks is not at all enough time to do all we want to do.
What do I do with my dogs when both my husband and I travel? Sometimes, I've found a great kennel to host my dogs and the dogs I've had loved the kennel: one thought of it as a spa week. For the other dogs, who were SO much happier to be at home while I'm gone, I've found dog sitters: in Germany, I found dog sitters easily, casually, but here in the USA, I have to use Rover.com (but I've been looking into Trusted House Sitters, because a friend is actually one of those trusted housesitters).
Kennels and dog / house sitters are an additional expense when considering travel, absolutely. But it's so worth it! As I've said many times, having pets is cheaper than therapy, and the results are often better.
Even if I had the vacation time and budget, traveling for more than three weeks by both my husband and I is pretty much out of the question for me while I have a dog. I can't imagine being away from my dog for longer than that. I do miss her terribly while I'm out and about just for a few days, and after a couple of weeks, I'm all but running into the house to see her.
I have left my dog for more than three weeks. I did it when working abroad without my husband in 2007. I worked abroad for six months, coming home every nine weeks. Oh how I missed her! But I knew my husband would be there, every day, taking care of her, and that was what was most important: that at least one of us was coming home to her every day. And unlike my dog, I could do video chats and phone calls with my husband - I missed him too, of course. I'm not sure I could do it again though, not so much for missing my family but because I hate all those hours and hours and hours in airports.
One of the things I've loved about having a dog, or dogs, is traveling WITH the dogs. A weekend trip in a tent or a camping trailer or a cabin at a campsite is heaven for us all. But I'm not a travel-everywhere-with-my-dog person. I think my dogs are far, far happier at home, without me, than a hotel room. And I won't take my dog on a plane unless I'm moving abroad for years - the risk is just too great.
So, my point is: quit saying you want to adopt a dog or a cat but can't because you want to travel. Shelters are bursting with animals. The situation in animal shelters is horrific because of all the surrendered animals. OPT TO ADOPT. Adopt a dog. Or a cat. Adopt two. Adopt both. Reorganize your life: come home from work at a reasonable hour and make time to walk your dog twice a day. What your mental and physical health improve. And keep making those travel plans!
