Find America's "Dog Friendly" Campgrounds
Not every campground or RV park loves Fido. But many do.Here is our ever-expanding directory of places to stay that love dogs. Search for a place to camp with your furry friend, or tell us about a park where you've stayed that welcomes dogs. If you find a campground that's already listed, but know more about the place or believe the information is inaccurate, please leave a comment. This way, our directory will always stay up-to-date and useful. Woof!
Will They Remember?
They say that elephants never forget, but what about dogs. Recently, we came back to Maine after being gone for about 18 months. One of the issues with RVing with dogs on a long term basis is that they are constantly in different environments.
And, being the stupid human that I am, I was wondering if my younger dog would remember all of our relatives. After all, he was only two when we left and now he is four.
I am always worrying about the quality of life of my dogs: are they getting enough exercise, is the RV too small for them, do they wish they had their own yards etc. So, naturally, I worried that my youngest dog wouldn't remember my mother or my step-dad or my cousins or my friends.
What a joke!
The minute he heard their voices, his tail started to wag a million miles an hour. He and my other dog were so very happy to see all of their family again. They ran around in circles of glee and joy. And, there is nothing better than seeing the smile on people's faces when a dog is happy to see them.
So, whenever you wonder if your dogs knows something, or remembers something, or understands what you are saying, don't forget, they are so much more intelligent and complex than we even think!
And, being the stupid human that I am, I was wondering if my younger dog would remember all of our relatives. After all, he was only two when we left and now he is four.
I am always worrying about the quality of life of my dogs: are they getting enough exercise, is the RV too small for them, do they wish they had their own yards etc. So, naturally, I worried that my youngest dog wouldn't remember my mother or my step-dad or my cousins or my friends.
What a joke!
The minute he heard their voices, his tail started to wag a million miles an hour. He and my other dog were so very happy to see all of their family again. They ran around in circles of glee and joy. And, there is nothing better than seeing the smile on people's faces when a dog is happy to see them.
So, whenever you wonder if your dogs knows something, or remembers something, or understands what you are saying, don't forget, they are so much more intelligent and complex than we even think!
Make Your Own Dog Bed
If you have a few minutes, you can make your own dog bed for a fraction of the price of retail. I have two older commercial dog beds for my dogs. They are two years old, flattened to about 1/2 inch and they smell really bad!!!
So, I decided to go out shopping for new dog beds. Because my dogs are large, I thought I better consider a larger thicker bed for each of them. I looked in all of the usual places and the cheapest that I could buy two large and thick dogs beds was about $150 each. My goodness, I couldn't afford $300 for new dog beds.
So, being a normal human being, I just procrastinated and didn't buy them a new dog bed. But, then one of the dogs hurt his leg, so he needed a better bed. I was just ready to make the plunge, when my mother suggested that we make them a bed.
So, while we had our motorhome parked in her huge driveway with a lovely sewer, electrical, water, and cable connection that my step-dad put in just for us...she and I went to the local fabric store. We bought a 48x36" piece of four inch foam for about $42. Then, we went back and took two old sheets and I sewed them together on three sides to make a cover. I put velcro on the fourth side so that I could take it off easily and wash it.
Now, I have one really large dog bed, that one of the dogs can really stretch out on or both can curl up on at once. The dogs absolutely love it! And, I got rid of some guilt points about the lack of a comfy bed (well I won't mention here that one of them is always sleeping on the couch).
For $42, you too can make a terrific dog bed.
So, I decided to go out shopping for new dog beds. Because my dogs are large, I thought I better consider a larger thicker bed for each of them. I looked in all of the usual places and the cheapest that I could buy two large and thick dogs beds was about $150 each. My goodness, I couldn't afford $300 for new dog beds.
So, being a normal human being, I just procrastinated and didn't buy them a new dog bed. But, then one of the dogs hurt his leg, so he needed a better bed. I was just ready to make the plunge, when my mother suggested that we make them a bed.
So, while we had our motorhome parked in her huge driveway with a lovely sewer, electrical, water, and cable connection that my step-dad put in just for us...she and I went to the local fabric store. We bought a 48x36" piece of four inch foam for about $42. Then, we went back and took two old sheets and I sewed them together on three sides to make a cover. I put velcro on the fourth side so that I could take it off easily and wash it.
Now, I have one really large dog bed, that one of the dogs can really stretch out on or both can curl up on at once. The dogs absolutely love it! And, I got rid of some guilt points about the lack of a comfy bed (well I won't mention here that one of them is always sleeping on the couch).
For $42, you too can make a terrific dog bed.
A Leash By Any Other Name
Most campgrounds require you to put your dog on a leash. But, recently it seems like half the dog owners ignore this rule most of the time. This is patently unfair to the rest of us.
For example, at a campground in Ohio, we were camped next to two large Great Danes. The owners didn't put them on the leash the entire time they were there. Here is their unleashed photo...
For example, at a campground in Ohio, we were camped next to two large Great Danes. The owners didn't put them on the leash the entire time they were there. Here is their unleashed photo...
As you can see, unleashed with no owner in sight. In addition, they took both of these dogs walking without leashes. This made it very difficult for me, because one of my dogs is a dominant female and she doesn't appreciate other dogs walking up to me. So, I had to wait until the owners tok these dogs inside, so that I could take my dogs out.
Additionally, some people are just plain scared of dogs. It just isn't very nice to walk large dogs around without leashes. But, most importantly, it shows a blatant disregard for campground rules. This only serves as a bad example fr the rest of us. It gives people a legitimate excuse for asking the owners to limit dogs at campgrounds.
PLEASE, if the campground asks you to leash your dog, do it. Not just some of the time, but all of the time!!
Labels: Camping, dogs, leash, rv
Latest information on pet food recalls
On March 15, the FDA learned that certain pet foods were sickening and killing cats and dogs. FDA found contaminants in vegetable proteins imported into the United States from China and used as ingredients in pet food. All tainted pet food, animal and fish feed, and vegetable proteins continue to be recalled and destroyed.
FDA and USDA continue their comprehensive investigation to protect the nation's food supply. Here is where to check for the latest information on recalled pet foods and tainted animal feed.
FDA and USDA continue their comprehensive investigation to protect the nation's food supply. Here is where to check for the latest information on recalled pet foods and tainted animal feed.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
