Jack and Star, our 11 yr old Australian shepherds, are about to join us on their first cycling journey. During our earlier cycling trips they stayed home with various friends and caregivers. Despite being very well cared for, and living in “dog heaven”, they have always acted as though we were abandoning them. Since we are taking our own sag wagon this time, they have signed on for the trip! We realize that they won’t replace the witty repartee of our traveling companions from earlier cycling holidays but there should also be less chance of conflicts…after all, we can simply order them to “go lay down” 😏.
Jack is totally pleased with the plan. He has his favorite seat in the rear of the van where he can rest his head on the windowsill and survey his domain from elevated comfort. He has already been sneaking into the van and hanging out there just to “make sure” that we don’t leave him behind.
Star is less thrilled. For unknown reasons she has developed van travel anxiety and pants and shakes and fusses on the road. Silly girl! We are trying a vet- recommended pheromone spray on a bandana around her neck to calm her. Supposedly it smells like momma dogs and is calming. If it doesn’t help, at least she looks like a cute little cowgirl…quite appropriate for this sojourn.
We have all lived together in the van previously, spending months living on our property in Arizona before we built our desert home. The living quarters are tight but we all know our place and can shift around as necessary.
Yikes, I better get busy! We head out tomorrow morning and there’s work to be done. We hate to leave our gardens but they are in good shape and will be tended to by our friend and gardener Curtis while we are gone.
The road is calling! Bye for now!
oldfolkswithbikes 
It sounds like a fabulous trip and with Starr and Jack along, now you’re well protected! We’ll look forward to hearing about your adventures on the road…as we know there will be plenty.
We’re heading to the Metolius River tomorrow for 5 days. Camping near Sisters, OR. Can’t wait to get out of here!
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Glad to hear that you are headed out for a dose of Mother Nature. Have fun! Thanks for following along
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Looking forward to seeing you!
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Bon voyage! Wishing for good weather, beautiful countryside and safe travels.
Enjoy your canine company. The Adaptil pheromone spray on a neckerchief worked fairly well to calm our dog when she developed travel anxiety.
Looking forward to following along with your travels. Enjoy and have fun!
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Thanks Nancy! Glad to hear it worked for your dog. Flora recommended it to me.
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Who knew that there is such a dog breed as Australian Shepherds!
I think Jack and Star have a very good deal e.g. travel in comfort and throughout each day completely new territory to mark and claim!
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We are more than a wee bit envious! That’s a great route you planned(the old bus knows those roads) and seeing the dogs ready to roll tugs at the heart.
Lochsa Lodge a definite stop, and Hwy. 12 is a twisty delight with a big historic trek in its past thanks to Lewis and Clark’s struggles there.
Do you have “Undaunted Courage” along for references?
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Looks like a fantastic trip! You four are always welcome in Thomasville, Georgia if you’re ever nearby 🙂
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Thanks Jessica!
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Bailey becomes super anxious on the boat especially if it starts rolling. The vet prescribed 1/2 to 1 tablet each of alprazolam 1 mg and aceprotab 25 mg to be taken together.
1 alprazolam by itself did nothing. 1 of each made him so drunk he couldn’t stand up and fell in the water jumping off the boat 6 hours later.
1/2 of each made him a little drunk, very drowsy but, much more steady.
With 1/2 tablet of the aceprotab, all by itself, he is happy to go for a walk, happy to sit on a lap or sleep on his own. We tried thundershirts, CBD oil, Benedryl . No help.
Thanks for the Adaptil idea! Will have to try that too. We don’t give drugs unless he is frantic and we can’t hold him.
Give the pups a hug for us!
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Thanks for the ideas!
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thanks for the update. I am putting on the last sheet of siding tomorrow. Carpenter has installed the 5/8″ plywood sheet fo the roof. Hope to have the shingles on by the end of the week. still need to make the doors and trim the window and corners of the building. John
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