To many folks, pets are true-blue family members. When one becomes the perfect motorhome companion, so much the better. Here’s how several readers answered this month’s question:
What’s the best breed of dog, or other pet, to travel with? Why?
For more than 35 years we have traveled with a white standard poodle and a you-name-it kind of cat. We are now on our fourth set of animals. The poodle is large, does not shed, and is extremely smart, but one of our cats saved our lives. One January night several years and cats ago, we were parked near a large canyon wall, running the coach generator, and watching a movie. After about an hour, our cat fell over in front of us. I stood up and immediately had a headache. My husband said, “Carbon monoxide. Get out!” Once we were outside, he turned off the generator and left the coach door open. Within a few minutes, the cat was walking around, and we all were okay. Lesson learned: never run your generator without good ventilation! The cat truly saved our lives. His name was Lucky.
Weta Berger, F205425
Brownsville, California
We have had many pets throughout our 40-plus years of camping. The best pet we ever traveled with was our pot-bellied piggy, Hambi. We raised her from a 4-week-old piglet, so she was used to the campground environment. Whenever we pulled into an RV park and set up, we put her blanket out, and there she would stay. Hambi was always well received, never messed in the RV, and could stay all day without a problem. People might not remember our names, but everyone sure remembers Hambi. She even had articles written about her in local papers and was featured on a park Web site. Campground managers loved her, because she was extremely friendly with people and other pets, was very subdued, and didn’t bark!
Eric and Bernadette Berland, F270976
Kissimmee, Florida
A greyhound? Absolutely, and why not? A retired racing greyhound is a fabulous RVing companion. Their built-for-speed physique does not mean they need a lot of exercise; greyhounds need no more exercise than other dogs. Their nickname is “45-mile-an-hour couch potato” — emphasis on “couch potato.” Retired racing greyhounds arrive fully trained in house, leash manners, and voice obedience, plus have a huge desire for affection. Sage, our greyhound, is so smart and loving. A veteran traveler, she is happy to stretch out rather than be curled up in a crate at a track or during transport to another track. Anyone who has met Sage remembers her. She welcomes everyone she meets as long-lost friends and expects to be patted and admired. She is our ambassador for greyhound adoption.
Keith and Barb Hobson, F344046
Almonte, Ontario
Future questions:
1. Tell about a famous or unusual person you have met while motorhoming.
2. Where’s a great place to get a piece of pie in your hometown or on the road?