As soon as he spots the suitcase, he anxiously follows us around. Worry clouds those big brown pleading eyes. He’d pack a bag of his own if he could to make sure we don’t leave him behind. Truffles is our adorable chocolate Cockapoo, who hates to travel almost as much as he hates being left behind. A dilemma for him — and us. This time, though, he’s coming along on a great cross-country venture.
Ever since I read Steinbeck’s Travels With Charlie as a high school freshman, I’ve fantasized about driving across this great nation with a devoted canine companion by my side. My romantic daydreams certainly didn’t include a little dog who quivers with fear and nausea while staring accusingly at me from the back seat while I drive.
His pitiful stares hit their target. Wracked with guilt, I call the vet for advice. “Maybe a small dose of Dramamine or Benedryl will ease his nausea,” she suggests. Nope. Next I try calming pills for dogs, though she said most don’t work. And they don’t. So mile by mile we continue down the long gray highway with a trembling pup who is too short to even see the passing coastline, plains, and mountains outside the car window.
Truffles finds his traveling mojo every night when we stop at a pet-friendly motel (usually Red Roof, La Quinta, and an occasional Best Western). Dinner and then a nice walk around the field surrounding the motel, he’s enthralled by the smells of all the canine travelers who preceded him. He LOVES having a big double bed all to himself. For a small dog, he manages to spread out wide and take up a lot of room. Exhausted after the car ride, he zonks out immediately.
Sadly for him, our sojourn continues for 10 days. While he adapts somewhat to car time, he remains a traveler fixated on the destination rather than the journey.
Truffles is about as cute as a dog can get.
I didn’t find an update for your western trip.
I presume he has recovered from the stress and that even if he doesn’t get Florida, he certainly does get that you are with him
How about doggie meditation?
My dogs always loved traveling because it often took them to my country house where they could sit outside all day and act as skunk and raccoon sentries at night.
They were all Scotties with managerial talent.
I travel with my two Persians. They just accept it. I will have to try red roof motels with them. The places I have staid with them kind of stink
glad you are having fun.
As entertaining as always, Can’y wit to hear the next episode of your life!
Have you tried feeding Truffles some truffles?