Cookie's getting a yard!

Valerie · September 23, 2007, 08:28:23 PM

Yep, we bought a house, no more condo living for Cookie (or me or my DH either

)

The kicker... the new house is in Kansas! To make a long story short, we decided that we wanted to move to be closer to DH's family in Wichita. We have no family in CA, and as much as we love it here, we will never be able to afford a house.
So, after visiting this summer, we both left with this feeling if really wanting to live there, and make a home there.
So I decided to call around and look for a job, and no kidding I had 2 interviews one week later. 3 weeks after those first initial calls, I have a job, that is going to be similar to the position I have now, making close to what I make now. :thumb: So we put an offer on a house and are in escrow already. Its really crazy how fast life moves- I really feel like everything has happened so fast and easy because its meant to be.

Anyway, the whole point behind me posting, is that we gotta move with Cookie from CA to KS. :crazyeyes: Anyone have tips for riding in the car for 4 days with a doxie? :verdict:

We bought a kennel for her yesterday and have left it in the living room for her to explore and get used to (we put some food in there this afternoon and now she keeps checking every hour to see if more food will appear.

We checked into Motel 6- they are pet friendly! I may check into a couple of other hotel chains to make sure we are covered.
We are only planning to drive about 7 hours each day, so we can make lots of stops.

Any other tips? Karen- you travelled with the whole herd... you must have some advice.
Also, tips for moving and dealing with her in the new house?

Thanks so much!

Valerie · September 23, 2007, 08:30:44 PM

Forgot to mention- we are also planning to get one last vet check up and get copies of her records (and get some sedatives, just in case), and get her microchipped.

And we are packing her toys and food in the car. (and Nature's Miracle in case she pees in the hotel

)

Anything else I am forgetting???

Dee Dee and Hallie · September 23, 2007, 09:01:44 PM

That is exciting news, congrats!
Gosh sounds like a long trip, this seemed to happen really fast. When will you be leaving? Four days! At least it should be a nice time of year to drive, fall is so pretty. Cookie is going to love her new place with her own yard.
I'll bet she will travel fine with you. Hallie goes all over the place with me and we are on the go a lot. Sounds to me like you have a good plan and list of Cookie items to have along. Be sure to keep in touch during your move if you can! Will also love to see photos of the new place.

David C. · September 23, 2007, 09:02:51 PM

Congrats! Yards are great! I remember when we first bought our house six years ago. It was the first time Rudy was able to roam around without a leash (Max had lived in a house before I adopted him). The funniest thing was that he couldn't comprehend that downstairs was part of the house for a few weeks. He was so used to the condo, he thought that downstairs meant I was leaving.

I can't help you with the trip, but I imagine Cookie will take it in stride so long as she is with her hoomans.

Beth · September 23, 2007, 09:08:38 PM

Congratulations, Valerie! How exciting for you. My hubby and I were in the exact same situation; we lived in Chicago and knew that we'd never be able to afford a house, so we moved here to Ohio to be closer to my family. I will agree that the move is stressful, but it sounds like you've got a lot of it planned out already with how you will travel with Cookie. We stayed at a Motel 6 once with Chilie, and it was just fine. And the staff will probably fall in love with Cookie!

Yards ARE great! We just moved into our new house (our first) and Chilie is in 7th heaven in HER yard!

Doxherding Karen · September 23, 2007, 11:16:15 PM

Well, howdy pardner, y'all have come to the doxie and doggie travel expert - 15,000 miles with Cooper, my doxie-wannabe, and 4,000 with Guinness riding shotgun!

The trip to Chattanooga went great! Here are some thoughts, ideas, and tips.

Plan on stopping at a reststop about every two to three hours. Get your leash out and get some exercise. Doxies sleep in the car beautifully, but Cookie will be full of energy come bedtime, so be sure to run some of that off her whenever you stop. Take about a ten minute break from driving - you'll be glad you did.

Best Western has dog friendly hotels in Vegas. If you don't use dry food, switch her to it before the trip. A small 5 or 8 pound bag is plenty.

Be sure you've had her bordatella vaccine. It isn't usually part of a vaccine combo, but required if she ends up in a kennel. Better to be safe than sorry.

Personally, I think camping is the way to go, but that involves a lot of stuff. Federal parks are all dog-camper friendly, have great rates, and are beautiful!

We left Los Angeles, stayed two nights in Las Vegas in air conditioning (family motto - "Today, in camping, suffering is optional."), three days on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, Mesa Verde National Park (both one of the fifty places to see in the world before you die), Great Sand Dune National monument, Pikes Peak region, Denver, then Kansas. KANSAS HAS NO FEDERAL PARKS AND VERY FEW STATE PARKS.

HAVE FUN! Cookie will!!

Karen and the Herd

doxielady5569128 · September 23, 2007, 11:37:22 PM

WOOHOO!! We will be neighbors Cookie!! well kind of...I live in Nebraska! I hope you like it out here, be careful of the tornadoes and if you ever meet anyone named Dorothy run!!! That means a BIG storm is coming your way. I hope you have a great trip! Sounds like you have planned quite well for the long car ride. Just remember to make frequent stops for water and potty breaks. :meme:

cheryl186 · September 24, 2007, 04:37:14 AM

What Wonderful news!!!!!!!! Kansas is great (I have relatives who live in the Emporia area). The cost of living there is lower than here. Congratulations to you all....and Cookie....You will JUST LOVE your own yard

How exciting is that???

I haven't really traveled with our two doxies except to the park but I have one of those soft sided fabric water "bowls" in the car; that comes in really handy in case they get thirsty while riding. We used to travel with our Lhasa Apsa and we would stop for potty breaks every two hours. When I have had to use a crate to transport Zoe in our car from one side of town to the other, she always managed to Poop in the crate no matter if I had just had her out or not. Sometimes it was really messy....so be on the lookout for that. Again, Congratulations!!!! Can't wait to see pictures of the new house, yard, etc. How exciting

Teresa · September 24, 2007, 04:56:04 AM

Congratulations. I'm sure you are excited. Your cost of living in Kansas will definitely be less than California and the pace a lot slower. It means so much to have family around and I'm sure you will really enjoy that. When will you be moving?
Schatzi and Molly will hopefully be getting a yard themselves in the next few months. We have done the condo thing for the last five years, but have decided the "kids" need a yard and we really miss having a house. We are looking for something small with a SMALL fenced yard. We know the areas we want to live in and we aren't going to rush into it, but now that we have decided to move, I hope it doesn't take forever!
Keep us posted on the adventure.

Brekkesmom · September 24, 2007, 07:34:02 AM

Wow - family, a job and a house new to you? You will be busy!

I would suggest having a couple of gallon jugs of the water you have now, to keep Cookie's tummy settled - different places have different combos of chemicals - and gradually mix the KS water with her current water so she can adapt easily. As long as you have a leash, the new crate with a towel or two for burrowing, her food, water, and a toy or two in her crate, things should be fine.

Good luck and have a safe trip. :thumb:

Teresa · September 24, 2007, 03:31:30 PM

Julia, That was a great idea about the water. I would have never thought of that and I bet Valerie hasn't either.

Valerie · September 24, 2007, 04:10:52 PM

Yes, great tip about the water! :thumb:
We will be making our journey Mid-October, so we have some time to prepare! We will be taking the I40 across New Mexico and Arizona, so hopefully it won’t be too hot.

Cookie has an appt with the vet on Thursday to get micro-chipped and get her bordatella vaccine. The thought of losing her on our trip makes me sick to my stomach!

About the yard, we are wondering if Cookie is even going to know what to do with it at first. We are wondering if she is going to wonder why we don’t have her harness on her. :idiot: But as soon as she sees a squirrel, I bet she will have a great time.
Also, Cookie is a little princess who does not like to get her feet wet and won’t go out in the rain. Boy, is she in for a surprise moving to a location with 4 seasons!!! The first snow will probably make her pretty mad!

Marcia from MI · September 24, 2007, 05:09:51 PM

Quote from: Valerie on September 24, 2007, 04:10:52 PM

Cookie has an appt with the vet on Thursday to get micro-chipped and get her bordatella vaccine. The thought of losing her on our trip makes me sick to my stomach!

About the yard, we are wondering if Cookie is even going to know what to do with it at first. We are wondering if she is going to wonder why we don’t have her harness on her. :idiot: But as soon as she sees a squirrel, I bet she will have a great time.
Also, Cookie is a little princess who does not like to get her feet wet and won’t go out in the rain. Boy, is she in for a surprise moving to a location with 4 seasons!!! The first snow will probably make her pretty mad!

When I first rescued Sully Angel we didn't have a gate and had to wait until spring to have one put up. So for two months Sully went outside on a lead fastened in the house. The first day he was allowed to go out alone he just sat one the porch waiting for me to do up the lead, I had to go outside with him to show him that it was OK to be off lead. As for the snow Eddie was born in January and came to live with me in November so he had never really experienced a snow fall , it was really great to watch him just sit and stare at all that white stuff falling to the ground.

Suzie · September 24, 2007, 05:35:27 PM

Valerie-

We drive from Boulder, Colorado to Windermere, Ontario, every summer. It's a 30 hr. drive straight through. All 3 dogs are in hug-a-dox harnesses, snapped to seatbelts, with blankets over and under them. We used to drive straight through, but we're getting too old for that! We have had good luck w/ hotels. Sometimes we have to leave a deposit, but not usually. We only walk the critters, and give them water, when we stop for gas, and not even every time. That way they don't get so anxious when the car stops. As we feed all raw, that part is complicated, but if you feed kibble or canned, a cooler is good. You'll probably have one for your stuff anyway...

The first 10 to 15 miles are pretty funny, but then everyone calms down and goes to sleep. Ours sleep the whole way to Canada! Our first trip with the dogs was 30 years and 3 dogs ago, and we have been doing it since. The only secret is to feed a little less, run their little legs off at pit stops, and get them vetted before you leave. You will have all Cookie's records anyway, as you are moving. I'd rather go a round w/ Mohammad Ali, at his best, than move. You have my empathy.

Good luck, have fun, and congratulations.

Suzie

Barb · September 24, 2007, 06:24:19 PM

First of all - congratulations ! Nothing is sweeter than finding a place in which you want to make a home ! If you are driving 7 hrs a day - my guess is that Cookie will sleep most of that time - but will be ready to get out and explore when you stop. I have a link somewhere to pet friendly hotels - I will find it and post. Once you set your route - post it - there may be doxie friends you can visit on the way !!!

Barb · September 24, 2007, 06:31:22 PM

http://www.petswelcome.com/

maybe this will help -

papbouv · September 24, 2007, 09:38:04 PM

Not sure how much time you have before you leave but a crash course in Wait may save Cookie's life what I mean by Wait I always tell my dogs to Wait they have to have permission before getting out of the car.The command Wait is best that way they soon learn another command will follow like OK you can get out. Being a Doxie always good to tell them wait so you can pick them up to set them on the ground.I always put the leash on before a door is ever opened. you might consider a small fire extinsher the boat kind with the baking soda in it just in case you were to run into any loose dogs??? It is a good idea to cary your own water so Cookie will not get the runs from a water change but someone already told you that one.
Good Luck have a safe trip.
Papbouv

Doxherding Karen · September 25, 2007, 01:45:19 AM

I've been taking Roscoe, The Handsome One, with me when I go out, now that the weather has changed and he won't turn into a broiled hot dog in the car. I tell him "Wait" to wait until I release him to get out of the car, and "Stay" when I am going to leave him in the car for a few minutes. Great Idea, Papbouv!

Last week, when I was taking him to the vet to get his ear drain out, I thought I would take Beau along so I could check his weight. I had them both in the car and had just sat down, when Beau jumped out from behind the driver's seat, and led me on a merry chase around the block. He was dragging his leash behind him, and after stopping at the neighbor's pit bulls to taunt them ("Look at me, I'm free, I'm free, and you're behind the chain link!" I swear I could hear him singing that!) he ran right up the block, intending to scoot past me. I waited for the right moment, stomped my foot down on the leash and he flipped over like a beached whale, belly up, paws in the air begging for mercy! What a drama queen!

Karen

papbouv · September 25, 2007, 07:57:25 AM

Good thing the Pits did not get out Patches is not 100% on the Wait command but we are working on it all the time plus I make everyone wait before going out the door.She Patches is super bad about if someone comes over she will go out the door to greet them on the porch. We live on a busy street and have squirrels in the front yard at times so I work on the door thing all the time.Do not know anyone that I could get to come to the door for training purposes makes hard.Wish DH would help on that but he says they are my dogs.
Papbouv

Kari · September 25, 2007, 11:46:24 AM

Congratulations! That is awesome!! Cookie is going to love having a yard!

TerriL · September 25, 2007, 04:38:43 PM

Congratulations! Sounds like life is about to change for the better for ALL of you! Cookie is going to LOVE having her own yard!
I didn't get a chance to read all the posts here but I really swear by Rescue Remedy. I think a lot of us here on the board have used it from time to time.
Good luck with your adventure!

MyLittleBoo · September 25, 2007, 10:19:26 PM

Congrats on your new house... And, a yard for Cookie??? What great news... I am sure she will love it... Good luck on your trip next month... And, wishing you all many wonderful years in your new home... (with a yard :thumb: )

PattyInAK · September 26, 2007, 08:41:34 AM

Good luck with your move to your new life! I traveled in a car with my first doxie Christopher from Alaska to Nebraska and back. He had his little bed set up in the back seat. We always had a thermos of ice water and Christopher would drink from the cup. Of course we made frequent stops and all that. It was a breeze, he was a great traveler. I think a nice roomy kennel would be the safest way to travel with your dog.