HOW DO WE TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH PETS | 15 INTERVIEWS

in #exxp2 years ago (edited)

One of the most interesting blogs in the travel industry is always about unusual and challenging travels, such as travels with kids, journeys in a travel trailer, backpacking, budget trips, and traveling with pets. For many people, this kind of traveling may seem hard, inconvenient, and unnecessary, but for many, it's a part of their lives.

I found the topic about traveling with pets very interesting because I am also traveling with my furry friend and I love to do that. Even more, I think it's worth sharing my and 15 more stories with you and showing you how to travel through the world with our dogs and cats!

But firstly, let's begin with me and my pomeranian Chico

My name is Sandra Ans and I am a marketing communication manager, real estate agent, travel blogger, dog owner, and open-minded person.

In 2020, my life changed to 180 degrees because I met Chico, a small pomeranian boy. He was already 3 years old and the family didn't want to keep him any longer. He was dirty and had fur problems, but it didn't confuse me. I brought him home and took care of him. We found a reason for his health issues and became with every day more and more inseparable. After a while, I couldn't imagine a day without him, so we started to go everywhere together. Now he is an official office dog in a real estate agency and we travel together in Europe.

Chico has explored many different German cities like Berlin, Leipzig, Dresen, and Hamburg and countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. We travel mostly by car because it's the most comfortable way of moving around. You can pause whenever you want and go where your eyes show.

From our travels, I have learned to plan better and be more organized. But despite that, I also have to understand how flexible I sometimes need to be and act depending on the situation.

Travel Europe with Sandra Ans and Chico
Travel Europe with Sandra Ans and Chico
Travel Europe with Sandra Ans and Chico

World traveler Paula and her 2 fur babies - Pingo and Cooper

Let me introduce you to Paula, a world traveler, Marketing Manager, Professional Bodybuilder athlete, animal lover, founder of the travel blog Paula Pins the Planet, and proud mom of 2 fur babies. She is from Brazil, living in the United States, and is on the road in any opportunity she has. In her blog, she inspires others to go on adventurous travel and to explore the off-the-beaten-path parts of our amazing Planet

- Paula, tell me please how did you met your both dogs?

My first dog was Pingo (it means small in Portuguese), a Westie Highland Terrier, who is very social and loves people, adventures, and traveling. I adopted Pingo when he was only 12 weeks old and since then we have been inseparable. I am also a dog foster mom. I have fostered several dogs, mainly rescued from Puerto Rico. This is how I ended up adopting my second dog Cooper, a Chinese Crested, who was a rescue from an abusive home and family. He is a very shy dog but loves to travel and go on new adventures. My two dogs are now 6 years old and they are the highlight of my trips and life.

- Have you ever traveled with your dogs by airplane?

Yes, I took Pingo to Brazil with me to visit the family, when he was only 1-year old, and it was a wonderful experience. He loved his vacation in Brazil and getting to being spoiled by the whole family for several weeks. I have also traveled with my two dogs from Florida to Vermont for a winter vacation and some playtime in the snow. I rented a cabin in the mountains and we had so many cuddle times on cold evenings and hiking and playtime during the day.

Travel the world with Paula and her 2 dogs

- What is your favorite way to travel?

My favorite way to travel with my dogs is by road trip, as I feel that it is easier and we can stop along the way for some playtime and potty. I have rented an RV a couple of times and we have done a cross-country trip from Florida to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. We had an amazing time, discovering many adventures along the way, such as hiking trails, swimming on rivers, and walking (and smelling) around the ghost towns.

- And what about a staycation?

Yes, this is one of our favorite ways to travel together too. We have been on several staycations together, such as renting houses on Airbnb and spending our time together at the beaches in Florida, kayaking in rivers, swimming in natural springs, and exploring the National Parks. That's the easiest way to travel with dogs, especially if you have more than one dog.

- What have you learned from your trips with Pingo and Cooper?

Learning how to slowly appreciate your surroundings while you wait for your dog to smell every inch of a new place is also something I have learned by traveling with my dogs.

Travel the world with Paula and her 2 dogs

Traveling full-time with 2 dogs and one wolf hybrid

Her name is Nicoll and along with her husband Jake, they have been traveling full time with their two dogs and a wolf hybrid since 2019. In her blog, Living Tiny with a Wolf, she wants to encourage others to explore the world with confidence. By sharing guidance through beautiful photos, captivating travel guides, and practical tips, she hopes to offer real-world advice on how to make outdoor experiences attainable for anyone.

- Nicoll, your experience with 2 big dogs and a wolf seems unbelievable! Tell me please about them.

I adopted our husky Bella when she was four months old and full of energy. The couple who had her couldn't keep her anymore because they worked long hours and she was too much for them. But for me, she was perfect. We bonded quickly and have been inseparable ever since. She's now four years old and is the light of my life.

When Jake moved out on his own, he knew that one of the first things he would do was get a dog. He started visiting the local animal shelter, looking for the perfect companion. One day, he met Gunner, a lovable mutt who had been abandoned by his previous owner. Jake immediately fell in love and adopted Gunner on the spot. Gunner has been a part of Jake's life for 10 years now, and we couldn't imagine life without him.

Jake adopted Cruze, our wolfdog, from a 15-year breeding program when he was just 4 weeks old. Jake had to go through an extensive interview process to ensure that he was a good fit to own a wolf puppy. Cruze is the most gentle dog you will ever meet. He loves belly rubs and will try to give you kisses if he can reach your face.

Traveling full-time with 2 dogs and one wolf hybrid
Traveling full-time with 2 dogs and one wolf hybrid
Traveling full-time with 2 dogs and one wolf hybrid

- How did you travel all five together?

We travel in our RV! We've been on the road for three years now, traveling through each US state, and we've loved every minute of it. The best part of it is that we have been able to share these experiences with our dogs.

- What have you learned from your trips with Bella, Gunner, and Cruze?

There's no need to rush. In a world that's always moving at a million miles an hour, it's important to take a moment to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

Traveling full-time with 2 dogs and one wolf hybrid

Two sisters and Viserion - Long Hair Chocolate Dapple Dachshund

They are two sisters, Yesenia and Sierra, who love to travel together, whether it is international trips or road trips across the USA. Their blog, The Sisters Who Voyage, is centered on helping fellow beginners to expert travelers have a place to refer to all things travel-related, such as travel tips and guides.

- Could you please tell me about Viserin and your decision to take a dog?

Viserion is the name of our Long Hair Chocolate Dapple Dachshund. He may not resemble anything from his famous Game of Thrones counterpart; he is tiny, adorable, and friendly rather than strong and fearsome. Our sweet pup came into our lives when we decided it was time to get another dachshund after losing the family dachshund that we grew up with. It took many months, but we finally set eyes on Viserion and knew he was the weenie dog for us.

- Is it hard to travel with a dachshund?

Luckily, Viserion loves road trips as much as we do. However, the same can not be said for any outdoor activities as his short stubby legs get tired quickly so he usually resorts to feigning deathly fatigue and will not go on unless you carry him. We solved this issue by investing in a hiking bag for dogs so when he gets “tired,” we can bring him, and he still gets to enjoy the beautiful views and smell the wildflowers. Viserion has joined us on multiple West Coast Road trips and has hiked numerous trails across the Pacific Northwest.

- What have you learned from your trips with Viserion?

We learned from traveling with Viserion to stop rushing the experience. We always travel quickly to knock out our must-see list but never truly experience the feeling of being in those places. Now we try to enjoy the sunsets more and sniff the flowers.

Two sisters and Viserion - Long Hair Chocolate Dapple Dachshund

Traveling together with 2 dogs and one cat

Candy comes from New York and travels all over the world with her two dogs – Boogie and Marcelo, and cat Kitty. More about her travels and adventures, you can find on her blog Boogie The Pug. She also shares a lot of tips and tricks so everyone can travel with their dog too!

- Candy, how did you met all your furry friends?

All three of my pets are rescues! I found Kitty, my cat, as a tiny stray kitten while living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Then came Boogie, my pug, who was adopted from Brooklyn, and lastly Marcelo, my chihuahua, a puppy mill rescue from Missouri.

- Do you have really traveled with all your pets? How do you travel typically?

My partner is an anthropologist, so we live between New York and Brazil. All three of my pets have been to various places in South and Central America and all over the United States too! Last year we did a long road trip from New York to Los Angeles. Next year we are planning to visit Europe. We've used all forms of transportation to travel, except for bikes. Typically we travel by plane and car.

- What have you learned from your trips with Boogie, Marcelo, and Kitty?

Where there's a will, there's a way. Traveling with a pet may take a bit of extra planning, but it's so worth it!

Traveling together with 2 dogs and one cat

Sell the house and travel with your dog around the world

Her name is Kate, and in 2016 her husband Jeremy and she sold their house, left their suburban life in the USA behind, and became full-time travel bloggers, publishing everything they learned along the way on their site - Our Escape Clause. They traveled full-time for 4 years before spending one year in Austin, Texas. But now they are spending a year in Lisbon, Portugal before moving on to their next stop!

- Kate, when and how did you met your dog?

Our dog, Ranger, came to us as a puppy in spring 2020. We knew before the pandemic hit that we were ready to start thinking about having a little more stability in our life – and when we met Ranger, it was love at first sight. We immediately knew he had to be ours! Since bringing him home, he has become the center of our lives and travels. He loves new adventures and comes almost everywhere with us! 

- How do you travel with Roger and where has he been?

Road trips (in the USA and Europe) and trains (in Europe) are the easiest ways to travel with him, but we’re going to be trying a boat out this summer too. Ranger has visited about 20 US states, from Colorado to New York with many stops in between! He’s also visited 5 countries till yet: the USA, Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy. European countries have shocked us with their dog-friendliness, with France and Italy leading the pack.

- What have you learned from your trips with Roger?

To plan ahead! From water bowls to rest breaks to knowing where he’s allowed to go, traveling with a dog requires a bit more research – but it is so worth the effort.

Sell the house and travel with your dog around the world

Traveling with a dog in a travel trailer

The next amazing person is Jessica, who runs the Uprooted Traveler, which is focused primarily on adventure travel and outdoor exploration in her home of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. She covers everything from how to travel internationally on a budget to tips on the best U.S. National Parks and how to travel in an RV.

- Jessica, tell me please a little bit more about your dog?

I got Lexie, the most chill chihuahua ever, 11 years ago, when my cousin had to rehome her due to her living situation. Lexie, now 17, has lived with me across four homes and two cities, and we’ve had countless adventures together.

- How it is to travel with a dog in an RV?

Lexie has lived with me and my husband, Justin, in our RV for months at a time, roaming from the beaches of the Oregon Coast to the red rock canyons of Sedona and the dramatic mountains of Glacier National Park. At times, RVing with dogs has made things a bit more challenging than they otherwise might be, for example, we have to be very intentional about the weather where we’re RVing to make sure that the living space is a comfortable temperature if we ever have to leave her for a short while, to go grocery shopping or to explore our surroundings. But I’ll always be grateful we’ve been able to bring her with us for these experiences, never forgetting the nights spent staring at the stars or listening to the ocean waves crashing, with her snoring away contently in my lap.

- What have you learned from your trips with Lexie?

Traveling with her has made me slow down (in a good way!) and appreciate where we are at the moment. And isn’t that exactly what travel is all about?

Traveling with a dog in a travel trailer

How Melissa travels with her cat Tiggy

As you already can imagine the next travel lover is Melissa, a girl behind the adventure blog My Beautiful Passport, where she shares her experiences and trip planning guides with her readers.

- Melissa, introduce me please to Tiggy

My beloved cat Tiggy is a 10-year-old Bengal cat. We’ve been together since the day she was born. My family had her mother, so we’ve had Tiggy for her entire life.

- How do you travel together, and what has she experienced yet?

When I travel with my cat, we go on domestic road trips with our camper RV. Our first road trip together was Summer 2021, when we drove from southern Ontario up and around Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada. She experienced the beach, a campfire, our AC in our RV, and looking out the truck window while driving. I look am looking forward to our next adventure together.

- What have you learned from your trips with Tiggy?

One thing I’ve learned from my trip with my cat is to be patient and flexible with plans.

Melissa travels with her cat Tiggy

Exploring Europe with Henry - a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel

Richard is a travel blogger from the UK that travels full time in Europe, usually between England and Romania. He enjoys visiting historical sites and beautiful places with her wife and dog, Henry. Food and beer are a big part of their travels and they find lots of dog-friendly places to do this. More about his adventures and how to travel Europe with a dog you can find on his blog RJ on Tour.

- Richard, who is Henry, and which countries does he loves the most?

Henry is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and is nearly 4 years old. My now-wife got him for company, then met me a week or so later. He craves attention and loves meeting people and other dogs. He has visited 11 countries and counting, but his favorites are Croatia and the Czech Republic.

- How did you mostly travel with him?

With Henry, we mostly stick to trains and ferries in Europe. He is a well-behaved traveler and likes to sleep on the way unless other passengers disturb that. He likes to hang out in bars and regularly drags us in for a beer or two and to meet whoever is there.

- What have you learned from your trips with Henry?

One thing that I've learned is that traveling with a dog is a great icebreaker and we meet a lot of people everywhere we go.

Exploring Europe with Henry - a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel

Traveling with a 48kg heavy Belgian Shepherd

The next wonderful person I would like to introduce you to is Helen, a blogger, and owner of the travel and lifestyle blog Things Helen Loves. She is based in the South of England and writes about life in the English countryside, walking, and travel.

- Helen, introduce me please to your dog.

Wherever I go, my dog Rocky is at my side. Rocky is a 48-kg Belgian Shepherd. He came to us from a farm in Scotland when he was just 8 weeks old and is now almost 4 years old. I can't imagine my life without him.

- How does it feel to travel with a big dog?

Rocky loves to travel with us, but traveling with a big dog means planning around him. We always travel by car so that he can have his own space and we can stop when we need to for walks. So far, Rocky has traveled with us to Scottish Islands, explored a lot of places in England, and spent a weekend mountain biking in Wales. We always book self-contained places to stay when we travel with the dog, and one of our best finds is Church Camping. Here in the UK, you can rent a historic church overnight complete with everything you need- camp bed, kettle, etc. It’s inexpensive, fun, and very dog friendly!

- What have you learned from your trips with Rocky?

One thing we have learned is to think outside the box and look for unusual, dog-friendly places.

Traveling with a 48kg heavy Belgian Shepherd

Ali experience in Germany with her small, cute Zelda

Her name is Ali, and she is originally from the US, but she has been living in Berlin for 7 years and Germany for a total of 11 years. She is a full-time travel blogger with several sites, including Travel Made Simple, which provides packing tips, layover advice, travel itineraries, and lots of other travel tips.

- Ali, tell me please something about your furry friend.

In 2020, my husband and I decided to get a Yorkshire Terrier, and in August 2020, our adorable little Zelda came home with us. She's just over 2 years old now. She is fearless and loves new experiences.

- How do you travel with your small friend Zelda and what do people need to know about traveling in Germany?

Since I'm a travel blogger, it was always important to travel with my dog. So far, we've only traveled by train with her to various places in Germany, but I can tell we will all prefer train travel to fly since there's more space. Bigger dogs require a ticket, but small dogs are free as long as they're in a carrier. But they're lenient on that, and we often have her out on our lap or the floor, and ticket-checkers rarely say anything besides maybe checking that we do have a carrier, even if she's not in it. For reference, our dog is 2.9kg. Nevertheless, we love finding church towers and other high viewpoints to see cities from above, but most of them don't allow dogs, so we either skip it or go in one at a time.

- What have you learned from your trips with Zelda?

Traveling with my dog has changed the way I travel. I have to go a little slower, not to do quite as many activities, and there are certain places I can't take her in.

Ali experience in Germany with her small, cute Zelda

Many countries and long road trips by a van

Linn is a full-time traveler and sustainable travel blogger at Brainy Backpackers, who is traveling by van with her 11-year-old fur baby Ayla. They have been living and traveling together since Ayla was 8 weeks old.

- Linn, how do you mostly travel with your dog?

Ayla is very sustainably conscious so she doesn't want to travel by plane. Yet, we have traveled to 10 countries together. Road trips are our jam, but she also loves hiking, and now when we have swapped out the car for a van and full-time travel, we get a lot more of that. We love to slow travel so that we get more time in each place we visit. Ayla loves to get to know all the new smells before we move on to new ones.

- What was your longest road trip and where do you plan to travel next?

Our longest road trip was from Norway, through Sweden, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and down to Spain. Now we are planning to build up the van and travel to Asia. But before that, we will travel for a few months through Morocco. I have been there several times alone and told her so many travel stories! Now Morocco is on top of Ayla’s bucket list.

- What have you learned from your trips with Ayla?

To travel slowly. Ayla will always be my priority and we have to do things a little differently with a dog than without.

Many countries and long road trips by a van and a dog

Sam and her road trip lover Marley

The next person to who I would like to introduce you is Sam, a full-time travel blogger and content creator at Find Love and Travel. She started blogging at the end of 2017.

- Sam, how did you met Marley?

My pup Marley, who is a Chihuahua Pug Mix (Chug), was given to me by a friend who could no longer take care of her. I took her in when she was 6-months old. She will be turning 11 in July this year.

- Where have you been by road trips?

I love traveling with Marley and I have done tons of road trips! Marley does great in the car and is comfortable for very long drives. I have taken her back and forth from New York to North Carolina countless times, to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Savannah, Charleston, Shenandoah National Park, Washington DC, and the Outerbanks, to name a few.

- What have you learned from your trips with Marley?

One travel tip I have learned is to get one of those water bottles designed for dogs. It has been a game-changer for us cause it's much easier for Marley to get drinks in the car and more!

Sam and her road trip lover Marley

With a dog to 36 countries and counting

She is Shandos, and she runs the travel blog, Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. The blog is about dog-friendly travel around the world, in particular Europe, Australia, and the USA.

- How did you decided to start traveling together with your dog?

I started traveling internationally with my Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, back in 2017. Schnitzel became part of our family when he was an 8-week-old puppy, and is now nearly 10 years old. We travel with Schnitzel because my partner and I love to travel, and we hate to leave Schnitzel behind.

- Where does Schnitzel has already been?

Schnitzel has traveled to an impressive 36 countries! Home is Australia, plus he's traveled around Europe and road tripped in the USA. He's traveled in planes (both in the cabin and the hold when required), on trains, ferries, and cars. Most recently we road-tripped around Australia with him in 2021 in a campervan.

- What have you learned from your trips with Schnitzel?

It's possible to travel with your dog, whether domestically or internationally if you're willing to make some compromises and do extra research.

With a dog to 36 countries and counting

With a border collie through Australia in a caravan

Emma is a wonderful woman traveling around Australia with her husband Daryl and their border collie, Chika. Our Wayfaring Life is their blog where they share dog-friendly road trips and tips on camping and caravanning with a dog.

- Emma, when did you adopted Chica and started to travel by caravan?

Chika was four when we adopted her six years ago from a family that loved her but did not have the time she needed in their busy lives. A year after Chika came into our lives, we set off to travel Australia indefinitely in our caravan. It was never a question if she would come along with us. She is part of our family.

- What does Chika love the most from Australia?

In the nearly five years we have been on the road and Chika has seen a lot of Australia - from the east to west coasts, the outback, and even some islands. Her favorite things to do are hikes and beaches and, surprisingly, she loves campfires. She is an incredibly adaptive dog and has taken traveling wonderfully.

- What have you learned from your trips with Chika?

Chika has taught me how important it is to live in the moment. She is incredibly good at immersing herself in every experience. We have had so much fun together!

With a border collie through Australia in a caravan

Zoes and her travels with a cat

Finally, we have come to the end. We have met 15 different travel bloggers and animal lovers and heard the most inspiring and interesting stories but my last interview today is with Zoes. Sometimes she travels together with her cat Szila but more about her experience of European travels you can find on her site Together in Transit.

- Zoes, tell me more about your cat and why you choose to travel with her?

Szila is in the family since being a kitten. She was picked up from the breeder and has been with us for already 3 years. She has lived in many places in the Netherlands, but soon we will be moving abroad to our next home destination. The main reason why she joins us in our travels is that usually when we travel somewhere for a longer period, we don't want to leave her for too long. She has some great cat sitters but for a longer period, it's better to be together. Our 2-month vacation to Luxembourg she loved the most, cause we had a beautiful view with lots of birds to watch every day!

- How do you travel with Szila?

Currently living in the Netherlands, we have enjoyed many trips in Europe together using a car. Szila comfortably sits in the backseat during the drive, and we usually don't take her more than 4 hours away.

- What have you learned from your trips with Szila?

One thing we learn from our kitty is that she's very independent regardless of where she is, and she can very easily settle into a new place.

Zoes and her travels with a cat

BUT THAT’S ALL FROM ME FOR TODAY!
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