Moving... Prep, and advice
 

So as the big move is approaching (NS to Toronto) I'm starting to get ready.

I already know and expect that Harley will have a flare up of all his sensitivities while on the trip, so I'm expecting a long ride (it's about a 22 hour drive) we are going to do it over 2-3 days. I'm going to probably only feed him twice a day (if he'll eat) rather than three times, so as to assure his food is fresh (it's reconstituted) and that he doesn't have so much food in him he gets sick. I am going to syringe him water if he wont drink... and we have air conditioning.

So any advice? He's been on 4 hour drives and handles that well, so maybe he wont get sick, but I figure the stress of it all will cause an IBS flare up.

I'm planning on washing all his toys a week before the move, so they are somewhat clean, but have time to regain the familiar smell (some of them are pretty gross!).

I'm working on emergency care info to attach to his crate etc. But I'm trying to think what else I should do when I get there.

I know he's probably going to be very stressed, cause my bf and I broke up, so he not only will be going to a new home, but part of his family will be missing permanently (we're still living together right now, it was luckily a good break, but still he'll miss him). Plus my mother will be staying with us for a week at the new place helping, so that'll make things awkward too. Oh and my new place has carpets :eek: that ought to be fun!

So thoughts?

Gosh girl. Sounds like big changes for both of you. I wish I had some advice for you. But do know that you both we will be in my thoughts and prayers!

Thanks, yes it's been an interesting last few weeks. But I'm super excited for our fresh start. New school, new city, new home, new friends (and a few old ones)... oh my!

One good thing came out of the break up... I have a new fury man in my bed... Harley for the first time ever has been allowed to sleep with me :)

Oh and one other thing I've already done in prep... I arrive on Aug 20, I've researched a new vet and have an appointment Aug 28. So that's done too.

Anyone from Toronto know anything about Willowdale vet clinic? They checked out when I talked to them and seem affordable, and they are 24 hours, so sounds like a winner for me :).

Is there nothing better than a strong willed, determined, adventuresome woman with a poineering spirit and a fine young companion named Harley!!!!! It sounds like "daunting" is not a word your allow in your vocabulary! I love it!! I have never been on a car ride with a dog/dogs for more than 7 hours....so I really cant give you any advice...If you are staying in Motels during your trip, I guess you have alreadyselected "pet friendly" ones....I would take any water that Harley is used to drinking, along...enough to last the car trip and a week or so after you arrive. Is Harley on meds when his IBS acts up?? Maybe if you were to start giving the meds a couple of days before the trip starts, his bowels wont get into such an uproar. I dont know..maybe something to calm his nerves before, during, and after the car ride? This is going to be so much fun for your and your best buddy! Good luck on your trip! Keep us posted!

We've managed to keep him off medication... if he has an upset I usually just give him electrolytes to drink to keep him hydrated and he bounces back pretty fast. I was given an anti-anxiety supplement last month for him, but we tried it at dog class (where he is really anxious) and it didn't do much, so I'm going to try it, but I don't have much faith in it... I think that was a sales gimmic... lol

Alright for the packing, just pack a small overnight bag, that has your overnight things in it + harley's food/bowl, and water.

Try to make only one trip into the motel room carrying things. I try to get a room by an exit door, cause if you have to do a middle of the night trip out with your dog, voila the door is there.

I also preplan my motel stops, I select motels that is say 2 hrs before from when I'd like to plan on stopping, then one hour away, then the motel at the planned stop. You never know how tired you will get on the drive, or how much traffic you will have to deal with.

If you are a member of CAA, they can plan a road trip for you, and then you will get a great mini book of routes, motels etc.

As you might already be aware, mainly Super eights, Motel six's take dogs. Comfort Suites does too, but that is a pricey stay.

I love the roadside stops, and try to find what ones are along my route; CAA is good for that too.

With the I phones etc, you can usually quickly look up a vet near to the area you will be staying in.

First Aid Kit for the car.

I usually get sick of hearing my GPS, so what I did was Print OUT in LARGE PRINT my route, and scotch taped it to my dash. Worked like a Charm.

If your GPS is anything like mine, I also take Maps along with me, as the GPS has lead me astray on more than one occassion.

I plan on a short stop for the pups ~ every 2-2.5 hours. Then one long stop for lunch and a 30 minute exercise session. We all like to play, and those roadside stops are great for that.

Car charger for your phone.

I bring my water from home, then when I run out, I buy the spring water.

I hope you get cooler weather for the drive, cause it is a real pain when you have to go to the washroom and you must leave the pups in the car!. What I did in a pinch when we were travelling to Missouri, is at one of the roadside stops I tied the big dogs up to a big picnic table, and placed Razzle between them in his crate. Then I set the record for the fastest washroom break!.

Books on tape are great to keep you occupied.

Of course some driving tunes.

I should be in town the last week of August. Stay safe on the road!

Also I always try to stop before dark. I personally don't like going into strange motels in the dark. Be aware, just like you would be in a strange city. For me I hide and keep some cash, credit card, and my debit card, underneath or inside Magic's crate. Now that won't work for you:D But you could try some other hiding spot. I carry my purse(actually I use a fanny pack sitting in front), when going to washroom, buying supplies, whatever. This way if I get held up hopefully I only lose what is on me.

Also your spare set of car keys, I use one of those magnetized boxes to put the extra set in.

I usually pack my lunch for the following day. I leave home with a cooler stocked up with fresh fruit, salad stuff, cold meats, and of course the doggy food:D

Keep safe, and have a great trip to TO.

Thanks! I'm feeling very prepared now, lol, cause I've done or plan on doing almost everything up there. lol.

I forgot about the water thing, so thanks for the reminder.

I'm excited!

I got divorced in January and made a BIG move also. My girls were great though. They were great companions on the trip and had little to no problems in their new location. The problems with driving was the rest areas. They do not allow pets in the restrooms, so be prepared. I was kicked out of one when Tia poked her head out of the puppy purse. Not all hotels allow pets also, but we managed well. Get a room on the ground floor, close to the Exit door for easy potty breaks. Getting excited makes more potty breaks! lol I learned to take everything with me when I checked in. My girls did not want me to leave and grab the rest of my stuff out of the car. Bark Bark Bark I did supplement their food with chicken to keep them eating. I had way less stopping to take them potty than I thought I would. I started out with them in the car seat but ended up taking them out of it because it was too confining. They were buckled, but could move around the front seat with me. I could rub them and give them lovin' when their little eyes looked at me for comfort and questions. Good luck. My girls keep me going. I don't know what I would do without them!

13 Days! I'm getting excited, got a busy week ahead of me though! Only got about half the apartment packed....

Keeping you and Harley in my thoughts and wishing you a safe journey. I'm sure Harley will do better than you think he will. When are you leaving?

I'm on my way out there this week from the GTA! I've done the trip on an annual basis with my girls and they are superb travellers. Sounds like you have all the basics organized, and are well prepped...are you travelling through Canada or the US? I've done the trip both ways and find it slightly shorter through Canada, but there are some nicer stops through the US. Travelling through Quebec are wonderful roadside stops, and I've been known to take the girls into the bathroom with me if needed. Otherwise, I travel with my father and we take turns if its too hot to leave the girls in the car. You can use a little gravol or ginger (i.e. ginger snap) for you pup if he has a tendency to car sickness. My schnauzer only has problems on really windy roads...(maybe its my driving??? :D) The other thing I noticed is that although I'm exhausted from being in the car all day...the pups are full of energy having slept all day in the crate :rolleyes: So, remember to throw a chew or toy in your bag to help your pup burn some energy in the hotel room in the evening.

As I said, I'm leaving Monday, so if this heat stays with us, it means that we will be eating at drive thrus...I don't like to leave the dogs in the hotel room alone, even crated...and it will be too hot to leave them alone in the car...so take out it is!

Above all, try to control your own anxiety and excitement...I find the dogs are so incredibly sensitive...if you take travelling in stride, so will they.

yeah we are going through Quebec, I can't go through customs, it's too complicated, plus I'm moving a large stock of homemade wine, plus all the food in my kitchen, and the dog food, plus the dog.... :s so yeah Canada it is... OMG I can't believe it's only 9 more days... I'm not packed nearly enough yet

Well just wanted to let you all know I made it!!!

I actually got to Toronto on Monday, but I've been so busy I haven't had a moment to sit down.

Harley did amazing, he stayed healthy the whole trip, mostly slept in the car etc. He did have one night he didn't eat in the new place, but honestly that day he spent almost the whole day in his xpen (cause the place wasn't puppy proofed) and I was gone most of the day, I think he was just frustrated. He's fine now. I got the bedroom puppy proofed, it's not fully unpacked but at least he can sleep with me. I've got lots of stories to tell about the trip and will come back and share but gotta run for now.

So glad to hear it went so well!! We are thinking of making a big move next year, and I'm already worried about the boys. This makes me feel much better though :D

Well, Welcome to T.O. Kendra! I'm so glad the trip went well. I was thinking of you when we were doing the drive...wondering if I was passing you going the other way or you were one of the fellow Ontario drivers I had seen. We also had a good drive, barely any rain, and good traffic. We also tried a couple of changes to our route...nothing major but new scenery always makes a long drive a bit better. Looking forward to hearing your stories...