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| Roxanne during our trip up the Haul Road in 2010. |
To enter Canada, Roxanne must have a vaccination certification and health certificate issued by her vet within 30 days prior to crossing the border. (See http://www.resteddoginn.ca/guidelines.php). Additionally, Rox always receives a bordatella (kennel cough) vaccination prior to our departure in case of an emergency requiring that she be boarded. Note: We had absolutely no difficulty crossing in or out of Canada with Roxanne. When we offered our passports for review, we also gave the guards Roxanne's health certificate. All of the border guards were most kind about our traveling with her.
For safety while driving, Roxanne wears a harness that is attached with a carabiner to the Xterra’s overhead seat belt. This allows her to roam somewhat freely in the rear cargo area without becoming tangled.
To help Rox jump in and out of the truck, she uses an Otto Step (http://www.ottostep.com/origin.html), which slides into the trailer hitch.
If we leave Roxanne alone in the vehicle, it is only for a short period on cold days (below 60 degrees), and we check her frequently. We always park the vehicle in the shade. Rather than cracking the window, we use expandable car window vents (see http://www.jefferspet.com/car-window-vent/p/0027151/ ). The vents are quick to install, provide ventilation, and offer additional security. (Please remember how fast the temperature inside your vehicle can soar. Even mild sunny days can be dangerous. As an example, on a 70-degree day, temperatures can soar to 100-120 degrees inside a vehicle. On a 90-degree day, temperatures can soar to 160 degrees in less than ten minutes. Please NEVER leave your child or pet alone in a car on even on a warm day!)
When camping in bear country, we keep Rox’s kibble in two Bear Vault food containers, each lined with OP Sak odor protection bags. Because bears seem to have a penchant for dog food, this offers a measure of protection for all of us. In the SUV, we carry a water jug, collapsible water bowl, and a sealable plastic container sufficient for a two-day supply of food for daily feedings.
Dogs can easily bruise their pads while hiking on rough ground. We learned this the hard way after hiking a dry riverbed with Dixie, our second Golden. The poor baby ended belly up in the back of the truck with hot and swollen pads. To decrease the possibility of stone bruising, we try to roughen Rox’s pads by increasing our walks and having her fetch balls on concrete prior to leaving for any hiking-oriented trip.
We always pack lace-up leather booties for Rox to wear on rough terrain. While she doesn’t like them very much, they do offer sufficient protection from lengthy sections of sharp stones or frozen trails. If you plan to walk your dog in deep snow, there are other varieties of booties that work better in extreme cold. (For more info and a photo of Rox in her booties, see http://roxannedogblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/dog-booties.html. To view a selection of additional dog bootie styles, see http://www.rei.com/search?cat=40005508 .) Dog packs and special water bottles are also available for long hikes and backpacking.
After once ending up at a vet’s office because she ripped out a toenail during a hike, we closely clip Rox’s nails prior to any hiking trip. Of course, we keep a first aid kit handy and carry information for dog CPR and other pet-related medical emergencies. For more information on canine first aid, check out this invaluable book: Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.
Additionally, we keep essential dog equipment in the truck. We include a retractable 16’ lead, short lead, backpacking bed, brush, horse curry comb (for her undercoat), scissors to remove the inevitable burs, dog shampoo, super absorbent towel, heart worm medication, and flea and tick control. Of course, we include any additional medication needs, a toy or two, and a few snacks.
Keeping Rox clean was an interesting challenge in Alaska. We were delighted to discover that there were many dog wash establishments. These facilities provided large aluminum tubs with warm water and spray nozzles to wash your dog. Rox simply walked up the ramp and into the tub. The facility provided shampoo, towels, and even blow dryers, and offered the option of my bathing her for a decreased cost. Sleeping with a clean dog was a true blessing!
I believe that Roxanne’s training is one of the most essential factors in keeping her safe when she travels with us. She is very obedient, having successfully completed several training programs, including receiving her Canine Good Citizen certification. After years of our working together, Rox walks off lead with more control than most dogs do on lead. She observes strange animals rather than chasing or barking, which is extremely helpful when we are in close proximity to wild critters.
Additionally, her Canine Good Citizen certificate has persuaded more than one reluctant hotel owner to allow her into their establishment. Her service jacket has allowed her to enter many facilities ordinarily off limits to pets.
We always let people know that Roxanne is in service to others rather than to us (she visits the elderly). This is critical information because by law a service animal is any animal trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability. Only animals meeting these requirements are allowed to enter facilities where they are prohibited.
Roxanne does not strictly qualify as a service dog because she is not in service to either David or me. Therefore, whether she is allowed on certain premises is at the discretion of the facility caretakers. On many occasions, however, Roxanne has been welcomed, partly because of her certification and service jacket and mostly because of her calm and obedient demeanor.
If you a traveling with your pet for the first time, please check out this handy guide: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/~/media/files/pet-care/images-misc-sizes/rdtrip_edu.pdf
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