A Dog's Eyeview of Vanlife - Part 1

As I've written about my travels in my campervan (well, the human who feeds me
does the writing and I do the thinking and dictating), I thought I’d share a few thoughts on what this vanlife thing they talk about is like if you’re a dog.

For a start, let’s get this straight. It’s my van. The humans might like to call it “their” van but in reality it has to be mine because there are a lot of my things in it, and I’m the one who sits patiently in the open sliding doorway checking that everything that’s needed for me is on board and packed before we set off.

Food and treats, for a start.

I’ve been travelling in my van with my humans since I was a puppy, so I have a few snippets of canine know-how about vanlife under my belt. Sometimes I’m able to pick up hints of what’s about to happen van-wise from what the humans are saying. 

“Shall we see what the weather’s like tomorrow and go out for a day in the van?” is often mentioned before we take off for a day out. 

This means a minimal amount of packing – just essentials of food for their lunch and some treats for me, plus my evening meal in case we stay out later to watch a sunset (the humans like doing this when we go to the coast for the day). They transfer my bed, cushion and blanket to the van, slip my harness over my head, hook me up to the anchored lead and off we go.

Of course, when this happens I have no idea where we’re going. It might be to the coast, and that’s excellent, as there are beaches. 

Or it could be to the local nature park and that’s good too, as there are woods and paths and long walks.

If we go to the big National Trust park not too far from home that’s really good as there’s loads of space for me to run in, plus deer and sheep to watch, although I have to go back on my lead if they’re around.

Sometimes we go for a day out in North Wales, with more beaches, and walks on a thing called a pier, finished off with takeaway fish and chips in my van at the end of the day before we head back. This is especially good as I’ve now perfected scrounging chips, even if I’ve already been fed. 

[Ed. not good for his weight; only a couple of tastes then we ignore the beseeching eyes]

To be continued.....

Oh-oh, here are the suitcases

 

 

 

You know that feeling when the suitcases appear, and the humans start being a bit twitchy and not very relaxed as they're rushng about putting things into these suitcase things. The feeling is a bit unsettling, and it's when I get a little bit worried.

 

I wonder what's going to happen, because suitcases always mean someone is going away somewhere. It may be the humans, it may be me, and it may be all of us together, but when we do that we go away in my campervan and we don't take suitcases. We (well, they actually) put stuff in big bags, take it into my van and pack it away in the cupboards and wardrobe there.

I knew something was up so I made it very clear from the start that I wanted to go too. First I sat in the case belonging to the human who does school and treats with me, then I moved into the case belonging to the human who feeds me. I was just trying to make a point, you see. And I was keeping a close eye on things, I can tell you.

 

 

All became clear a few days later, when their daughter, who I adore, turned up at our house in her car, stayed the night (after making a delightfully huge fuss of me), took the humans and their suitcases away somewhere - it sounded like some kind of port they were going to [Ed. airport]  then came back, gave me more fuss, packed my important belongings...food of course, and treats....in the car.

On went my harness and my car seat was already in her car, so off we went. I had a good idea about where we were going and it seemed like I was going on holiday! Yes!!

To be continued......

Hot dog

 

What is one to do in this blooming heatwave? 

Hunker down, it's the only way, so I've got a few ways of managing the heat:

1) Sleep, snooze, doze, as long as it's in a cool quiet place, like on the wooden floor under the kitchen table.

2) Retreat to my dug out under the stone bench in the garden (they - the humans - can't always find me there but I can see them).

3) Go into the deepest parts of the garden and right into the corner where a) it's shady and b) I can keep an eye on what's going on next door through the crack in the fence.

4) Drink water.

5) Lounge around in my cool coat which they put on me during the hottest part of the day.

6) Lick the ice lolly on a plate the humans have made for me with a few bits of kibble & treats frozen into the water. Delicious and interesting.

7) Make sure I'm in the slip stream of the fan when it's on.

8) Drink more water (they remind me to do this as I can get distracted by things - like their daughter's cat who came to stay for a few days).

9) Enjoy my morning and evening walks, when it's cool and there are lots of other dogs about having walks, so we can exchange sniffs and pee-mail.

That's about it. Stay cool.....

 
 

Dog meets dog

Phew, it was all go when I went to stay with my human's daughter for a few days at her house. I love her to bits so it's no probem going there as I'm spoilt something rotten....although she does get a bit strict with me at times, especially when that CAT is about! But on the whole, I have a great time, plenty of fuss and new walks. I also get to visit new people, and one of them had a dog.

Brodie is a Miniature Dachshund and he's a similar size to me. Well, we met up at his house and I soon realised that we're both wimps! [Ed. as described by said daughter]

Now, I didn't know what that word meant and it doesn't sound very flattering, but as I see it, it has to mean we have good manners (like me) and that we're reserved and don't rush into leaping all over other dogs or people when we first meet them (like me) and that we generally behave ourselves. Well, I do have excellent taste and I can always detect a pocket of treats when I smell one on people we meet.

I can be a bit reserved when I meet new dogs when I'm out walking, and if they come on too strong then I'll give them a warning bark, get them to back off and then we'll proceed at my speed. Or maybe not at all if I don't like the look or smell of them.

It was all very civilised with Brodie and we kept to our own space and blankets while our humans chatted. I think he looks a bit nervous in this photo and he probably didn't like me being in his house, which is why I stuck to the rug.

Oh Brodie, I hope we can meet again and have a bit more fun when we know each other better. You're kind of like my kind of dog.