We love to travel, but always hate leaving our dogs behind. We are fortunate to have a wonderful friend who puppy-sits for us, so we don’t worry, we just MISS them so much! So on a recent trip, the boys went along. We were headed to southwestern Florida for several weeks of warm sunshine.

Bruce settles in for a long road trip.

Traveling with a dog is challenging. Traveling with two dogs, in a car, for two days and almost 1000 miles, might be considered by some to be insane. Well, you know the commercial that says, “Some people just don’t understand how you live?” That would be us. We are crazy about our boys and as devoted to them as they are to us.

With a little thought and preparation, it’s entirely doable and actually a lot of fun for everyone.
We packed a bag with just dog stuff: food, treats, medicines, bowls, a favorite toy or two and grooming supplies. (Be sure to bring current shot records, too, just in case). We shared our bottled water and brought plastic bags for rest stops which were timed as nearly as possible to the dogs’ normal routine at home. We tossed in a roll of paper towels in case of car sickness, which fortunately was not needed. The Orvis seat protector is always in place, so we just topped it with their bed.

Their big memory foam bed filled the backseat. After the initial excitement, both settled down for a long nap.

Plan ahead and make reservations for a pet-friendly hotel, if you need one. You will most likely pay a “cleaning fee” of about $50. for your pets. Our stop-over hotel was perfect for the boys. The window had a great view of the parking lot and was just the right height for watching cars and people come and go before settling down for the night. We would be up early the next morning and back on the road.

our temporary home

After a day of getting used to their new surroundings, Toby and Bruce settled in easily. With familiar things like their bed, toys and food bowls nearby…(and of course, Mom and Dad)…the transition was remarkably easy. Long walks in our temporary neighborhood meant meeting new friends of both the human and canine variety.

Surprisingly neither dog seemed interested in the alligator who lives in a nearby lagoon.

A day at the beach is so relaxing.

A great egret kept a watchful eye on the dogs…

…and Toby kept an eye on him.

Too much heat and sun is not good for dogs or humans. Plenty of cool water and a shade tree provided the needed balance.

It was a glorious day on Sanibel’s causeway islands…tiny islands that act as stepping stones for the bridge to the main island of Sanibel.

Not a bad way to spend a winter’s day.