We RV'd because of the dog

[Snowman9000]

We started RV-ing a few years ago as a way to be able to travel. Our dog was a poor boarder. So we made several trips with her, including a few long trips southwest in the winters.

This summer she died. We are in no hurry to replace her. We headed out on our current trip to Arizona without her. Missing her but at the same time thinking we would be able to do much more since we weren't going to be tied down with a, let's face it, needy elderly dog.

Instead we are sort of lost. Not because lack of her companionship, but because we organized it all around her needs. We had to stop every couple of hours to let her walk etc. At camp, as at home, she wanted her long walks in the AM and PM.

We were always happier in public CGs, because of the elbow room, trails, dirt and grass. Today we are sitting in the Arizona desert, all the room in the world. Bored silly. It was the same on the travel days too. We made better time, but it was much more boring. We have to come up with a new plan. It won't involve another dog though.

Maybe it's time to tow a dinghy car, stay in one place longer, and take more side trips. Maybe it's time to (gasp) stay in some snowbird parks and meet people.

Or, Maybe it's time to sell the RV, and take advantage of the strong dollar by traveling overseas while we are healthy.

Signed,
Lost in Arizona

[toedtoes]

Snowman9000 wrote:
OP here. We've gotten into a good groove now. We are getting out and doing things.

Like every change in life, the stress during the change eases back into a groove with enough time and acceptance. 🙂

Glad you're still finding a way to enjoy RVing.

[Snowman9000]

OP here. We've gotten into a good groove now. We are getting out and doing things.

[CA_POPPY]

Everybody is different, but in our case, traveling with the (now just one) dog is tons better than traveling without her. BP (before pets) it was all about putting miles behind us. When we started traveling with Rosie and Poquita, (both now gone to The Bridge) we were pretty much forced to stop and smell the rest stops. Neither of us is a social butterfly but those cute little mutts were the greatest ice breakers and got us involved in conversations we never would've had otherwise. Poquita had people from coast to coast wanting to know what breed she was and where they could get a pup just like her. Rosie entertained the troops with her on-demand "singing." Life is just many layers deeper and happier with pets than it ever was without them. That's just our experience, your results may vary. :B

[ReneeG]

Thank you Dr. Doug for your comments. We've had to euthanize four beloved pets and each time we've consulted with our vet on the best decision and time and have always followed his advice.

[Snowman9000]

OP here. Things are starting to gel in our minds. But only just starting. I'm pretty sure a toad will be part of it.

[toedtoes]

magnusfide wrote:

Snowman9000 wrote:
We started RV-ing a few years ago as a way to be able to travel. Our dog was a poor boarder. So we made several trips with her, including a few long trips southwest in the winters.

This summer she died. We are in no hurry to replace her. We headed out on our current trip to Arizona without her. Missing her but at the same time thinking we would be able to do much more since we weren't going to be tied down with a, let's face it, needy elderly dog.

Instead we are sort of lost. Not because lack of her companionship, but because we organized it all around her needs. We had to stop every couple of hours to let her walk etc. At camp, as at home, she wanted her long walks in the AM and PM.

We were always happier in public CGs, because of the elbow room, trails, dirt and grass. Today we are sitting in the Arizona desert, all the room in the world. Bored silly. It was the same on the travel days too. We made better time, but it was much more boring. We have to come up with a new plan. It won't involve another dog though.

Maybe it's time to tow a dinghy car, stay in one place longer, and take more side trips. Maybe it's time to (gasp) stay in some snowbird parks and meet people.

Or, Maybe it's time to sell the RV, and take advantage of the strong dollar by traveling overseas while we are healthy.

Signed,
Lost in Arizona

Here's the OP. They asking for help in deciding how to do their RVing time differently. Isn't funny how threads derail?

My answer: you can tow or you can rent a car. Senior discounts on rentals are reasonable. I use my AARP discounts for rentals.

We take themed trips to see sites we are interested in. One year it was a light-house themed trip both inland to the Great Lakes and along the coasts. We saw a number of small towns on the way that we really enjoyed too.

Another year it was military museums, another year food festivals (warning: gained a lot of weight that year 🐵 We also do Dutch Oven Gatherings (great fun, good people) and astronomy star parties for night sky viewings of events.

Or you can take it by state: pick a state and see those places you're interested in seeing. Make a list of your interests and check the websites related to those interests.

There are those who go to quilt shows, gun shows, conservation symposiums, hiking groups, bicycle groups... your interests and hobbies will be your guide. Find a place and an event then hit the road with joy. That's the best part of RVing.

Actually, I'm not so sure the OP was really asking anything. I read it more as a "we're going through a change and not sure how we're going to come out of it" musing. That's why my first response was to not make any quick decision - try some different things and then see how it goes. Then they can make a decision based on their reality.

[magnusfide]

Snowman9000 wrote:
We started RV-ing a few years ago as a way to be able to travel. Our dog was a poor boarder. So we made several trips with her, including a few long trips southwest in the winters.

This summer she died. We are in no hurry to replace her. We headed out on our current trip to Arizona without her. Missing her but at the same time thinking we would be able to do much more since we weren't going to be tied down with a, let's face it, needy elderly dog.

Instead we are sort of lost. Not because lack of her companionship, but because we organized it all around her needs. We had to stop every couple of hours to let her walk etc. At camp, as at home, she wanted her long walks in the AM and PM.

We were always happier in public CGs, because of the elbow room, trails, dirt and grass. Today we are sitting in the Arizona desert, all the room in the world. Bored silly. It was the same on the travel days too. We made better time, but it was much more boring. We have to come up with a new plan. It won't involve another dog though.

Maybe it's time to tow a dinghy car, stay in one place longer, and take more side trips. Maybe it's time to (gasp) stay in some snowbird parks and meet people.

Or, Maybe it's time to sell the RV, and take advantage of the strong dollar by traveling overseas while we are healthy.

Signed,
Lost in Arizona

Here's the OP. They asking for help in deciding how to do their RVing time differently. Isn't funny how threads derail?

My answer: you can tow or you can rent a car. Senior discounts on rentals are reasonable. I use my AARP discounts for rentals.

We take themed trips to see sites we are interested in. One year it was a light-house themed trip both inland to the Great Lakes and along the coasts. We saw a number of small towns on the way that we really enjoyed too.

Another year it was military museums, another year food festivals (warning: gained a lot of weight that year 🐵 We also do Dutch Oven Gatherings (great fun, good people) and astronomy star parties for night sky viewings of events.

Or you can take it by state: pick a state and see those places you're interested in seeing. Make a list of your interests and check the websites related to those interests.

There are those who go to quilt shows, gun shows, conservation symposiums, hiking groups, bicycle groups... your interests and hobbies will be your guide. Find a place and an event then hit the road with joy. That's the best part of RVing.

[toedtoes]

dturm wrote:
I actually disagree with both of you.

Based on years of experiences with euthanasia and being the one to advise then actually "kill" the dog or cat, I can tell you that the incidents of people waiting too long are REALLY, REALLY infrequent.

There is a spectrum of comfort level people feel when deciding timing of euthanasia. Getting the exact appropriate time is a matter of opinion and most people really do consider the sufferring of the animals.

Doug, DVM

This is one disagreement I will gladly lose... My experience has been based on people I know and their personal comments regarding the euthanasia. Having a vet say that most have not waited too long is nice - it means that most people are just feeling the guilt and not really seeing the signs. And, again, I think the animals are far more forgiving of us than we are of ourselves.

[dturm]

I actually disagree with both of you.

Based on years of experiences with euthanasia and being the one to advise then actually "kill" the dog or cat, I can tell you that the incidents of people waiting too long are REALLY, REALLY infrequent.

There is a spectrum of comfort level people feel when deciding timing of euthanasia. Getting the exact appropriate time is a matter of opinion and most people really do consider the sufferring of the animals.

Doug, DVM

[toedtoes]

Terryallan wrote:

toedtoes wrote:
It's a very personal decision and everyone makes it differently. Heck, even the individual dog you lose will have an impact on whether you want another one or not and/or how long before you decide to go for it again.

Terryallan, I understand your extreme dislike of having to put down your pet. But, one thing to remember, is that no matter what you do, every animal out there will die. I have taken in my pets and the pets of friends, as well as strays. None were easy, but I have to believe that I made their deaths more peaceful than it would have been otherwise. I do not want to die alone and/or in pain - I don't want anyone else or any animal to do so either. If that means I have to go through it again, then so be it. I do it for them - my pain means their release.

Yes all animals die, as do humans. But I don't have to be the one to do it. None of the dogs we have had were rescue dogs. They all would have had decent homes.

Plus I am fully convinced that "many" of us who love our pets, Actually make it harder on them. We wait too late to end their suffering, because we "love" them so much, and thus cause more pain than necessary. We give them drugs when they get Diseases that would kill them if left alone, and so prolong their pain, OR we don't see that they are hurting, they can't tell us, and hide the pain well.

I am convinced that we let Muffin suffer longer than she should have, and only because WE were selfish. WE wanted to keep her with us. And I have seen many others do the same thing. We "love" them so much, We torture them.

I agree wholeheartedly with that. It is why I stop myself and ask "is this for the animal or for me". It is never easy, but when you can learn to put the animal's needs first, it becomes bearable.

I will disagree with the belief thaat because you bought from a breeder, the dog would have had a decent home regardless. I have taken in many purebred dogs as rescues - my akita spent his first 3 years in a backyard kennel, had never seen a flower until I took him in. I rescued a $1500 purebred shepherd who was abandoned when the owners divorced. And on and on. A good home is not a given based on the dog's pedigree.

I'll also add that animals forgive us a lot more than we give them credit for. Muffin did not resent or hate you for the decisions you made. We all do the best we can and our animals forgive us our failings. Forgiving yourself is the best thing you can give Muffin now.

[Terryallan]

toedtoes wrote:
It's a very personal decision and everyone makes it differently. Heck, even the individual dog you lose will have an impact on whether you want another one or not and/or how long before you decide to go for it again.

Terryallan, I understand your extreme dislike of having to put down your pet. But, one thing to remember, is that no matter what you do, every animal out there will die. I have taken in my pets and the pets of friends, as well as strays. None were easy, but I have to believe that I made their deaths more peaceful than it would have been otherwise. I do not want to die alone and/or in pain - I don't want anyone else or any animal to do so either. If that means I have to go through it again, then so be it. I do it for them - my pain means their release.

Yes all animals die, as do humans. But I don't have to be the one to do it. None of the dogs we have had were rescue dogs. They all would have had decent homes.

Plus I am fully convinced that "many" of us who love our pets, Actually make it harder on them. We wait too late to end their suffering, because we "love" them so much, and thus cause more pain than necessary. We give them drugs when they get Diseases that would kill them if left alone, and so prolong their pain, OR we don't see that they are hurting, they can't tell us, and hide the pain well.

I am convinced that we let Muffin suffer longer than she should have, and only because WE were selfish. WE wanted to keep her with us. And I have seen many others do the same thing. We "love" them so much, We torture them.

[ReneeG]

toedtoes wrote:
It's a very personal decision and everyone makes it differently. Heck, even the individual dog you lose will have an impact on whether you want another one or not and/or how long before you decide to go for it again.

Terryallan, I understand your extreme dislike of having to put down your pet. But, one thing to remember, is that no matter what you do, every animal out there will die. I have taken in my pets and the pets of friends, as well as strays. None were easy, but I have to believe that I made their deaths more peaceful than it would have been otherwise. I do not want to die alone and/or in pain - I don't want anyone else or any animal to do so either. If that means I have to go through it again, then so be it. I do it for them - my pain means their release.

Nicely said.

[toedtoes]

It's a very personal decision and everyone makes it differently. Heck, even the individual dog you lose will have an impact on whether you want another one or not and/or how long before you decide to go for it again.

Terryallan, I understand your extreme dislike of having to put down your pet. But, one thing to remember, is that no matter what you do, every animal out there will die. I have taken in my pets and the pets of friends, as well as strays. None were easy, but I have to believe that I made their deaths more peaceful than it would have been otherwise. I do not want to die alone and/or in pain - I don't want anyone else or any animal to do so either. If that means I have to go through it again, then so be it. I do it for them - my pain means their release.

[Terryallan]

3oaks wrote:
Owning and caring for a dog or any pet requires responsibility. If anyone has to ponder whether they want to be tied down or restricted by that responsibility, do not even think about obtaining a pet.

We never felt "free" to come and go as we please after loosing any of our dogs. Rather, we were deeply saddened as if we lost a member of our family. The last dog we had that crossed the "Rainbow Bridge" was Cody, our Golden, one week short of what would have been his 15th birthday. Heart breaking! Then Rusty, another Golden became part of our family.

After 40 years of owning dogs, and having to find some one to care for them while we were gone. (We loved them way to much to coup them up in a camper) We find that after we had to put the last one down, We are just a little more free. Don't have to be home at a certain time, and if we decide to stay over night, no problem, and we don't have to beg someone to come care for it while we are gone. I don't miss cleaning up the yard, or growing an inch when I cut grass. (Rudy's rear was like a cow) So no more dogs for us.


However. Our Muffin was 17 when we had to put her down. When we did, it was a nightmare, and Rudy the camper guard dog in my sig, Was 12 when we had to put him down. I will NOT go thru that again. Y'all can live that night mare as many times as you want. But I am done.

Do I miss them? Yes. I do miss playing ball with Muffin, and I miss have that big clumsy Bassett under my feet. And I think often about getting another one. But there is no replacing either of them, and I'd just soon do with out. And As I say. I'm not carrying another dog to the vet to kill it.