The Savvy Tourist

Have Service Dog Will Travel

There are new things on the horizon here at The Savvy Tourist. The most exciting of which is that Savvy Annie will soon have a travel partner. Meet Dexter, a.k.a. "The Bug".  Dexter has been my very faithful friend and companion now for about 3 1/2 years. We picked each other out of a line up when he was just 11 days old.

This little guy here is the face that I fell in love with and soon grew up to be by my side no matter where I go. Dexter went through some extensive training so that he would be welcome to accompany me in my travels.  He is a fully trained service dog and has literally broadened my horizons and opened up doors to me that I thought would remain closed forever. Although, Dexter was not the only one doing the learning. Us humans are harder to train than most animals, but together we got through it.

Now, The Bug and I are on a mission to learn about traveling together and how to make that an easier process for our fellow service dogs and their accompanying human counterparts.

So, travel on over to our new sister site, Have Service Dog Will Travel and follow us on our journey to make this world a better place for people that can't travel without their loyal canine companion.

 and The Bug!

 

Turn your move into a vacation

When we take on the daunting task of moving, whether it be just a few hundred miles away or possibly across country, we never think about how relaxing or enjoyable it might be. At least I know I don't and I have done it. The problem with the move I made is that I did it with just the help of my own family. I tried to save money by not hiring a mover. I packed up the house after living in it for over 13 years, so you can imagine the accumulation of "stuff" I had to deal with. Then I rented a truck, hoping it would be big enough. Then I loaded the truck...twice. The first time it wasn't loaded properly and some "stuff" wasn't going to fit. Since I was going across country, I also had to rent a car dolly to pull my car behind the truck.  I don't know about your driving skills, but try backing up a 27 foot moving truck with a car on a pivotal dolly system. Everywhere we went we had to make sure we could pull in, and pull out. No reverse required.

Then, as if that was not enough, since I am a plant hoarder, I loaded my car with all of my house plants so they would be in plain site for the Dept. of Agriculture going across certain state borders. Had I not checked into the agriculture rules for every state ahead of time, my plants would have been confiscated at the border and I would have been heartbroken.

None of this included the fact that I had 1 kid, 1 dog, and 3 cats that also had to move across country. After I got me, the truck, my car, and all my "stuff" where it needed to be, I flew back and packed up the remaining kid, dog and cats! Then we all flew together back to our new home...far, far away. Now, doesn't that sound like fun? I didn't think so.

The point I am getting to is that hiring a mover will save you money, time, aggravation, and possibly your sanity in the long run. Let's say you are planning a move to Arizona from many states away. Who knows more about moving to and living in Arizona than movers in Arizona? They will have all the information you will need to participate in a smooth move, and can also hook you up with realtors, insurance agents, and other local establishments that you will need to start new services with like gas, water, electric, trash removal, etc. I tried doing all this myself too, only to find out that I didn't know there were 2 gas companies, 2 trash companies and other assorted services that I didn't even know I needed. I was coming from rural farm country and moving to suburbia. I had no idea you actually had to pay for water.

Let's say you were moving to Tucson, Tucson moving companies would be able to provide you with local information about your new city like things to do when you get there such as movies, restaurants, museums and local events. Normally this would all be stuff you figure out after you get settled in, if you ever do.

The best part though is that they do all the work!! Let them pack, load, drive, gas up, unload and deal with all the aggravation of moving (and backing up at the gas station). They are paid to take the stress out of moving, therefore leaving you and your family the ability to turn your move into a mini vacation. Load up the family car with kids and dogs and take your time driving. You can stop off and see the World's Largest Ball of String or maybe something better like Mt. Rushmore or The Grand Canyon.

Even if you absolutely have to do this move yourself, there is a great place to visit online for assistance. If you are possibly moving to the Phoenix area, go to Billy.com Phoenix movers and you will be able to access tools to make your move easier such as a moving checklist, moving tips, and useful information on traveling with pets and children. Believe me when I say you do not want to do it the way I did it.

Whatever city is destined to become your next home, check out Billy.com before making the big move.

A savvy vacation choice

With the price of gas (and everything else) everyone is looking for new and improved ways to budget. Having been a travel agent, I can tell you that vacations are the first thing to either get thrown out of the budget completely or else purchased as cheaply as possible. Unfortunately, when you skimp on your vacation, you are essentially cheating yourself out of the best time you have with your family and friends. Personally, I would rather clip coupons and carpool than skimp on my vacation. I was always sorry when I booked a "budget" vacation.
There are ways to have a great vacation without skimping and one of them is by renting a house, possibly with friends and family, instead of paying resort prices. Sharing the cost of a house or condo is always more cost effective. You have facilities to cook some meals instead of eating out 3 times a day. You don't have to pay for parking your car, you don't have to walk through the lobby in your swimsuit, you don't have to tip anyone or cram 4 people (or more) into 1 hotel room. Everyone has a little more space to call their own and in some cases, you can take the family dog. One of the online booking agencies that I recommend is HomeAway. There are more destinations to choose from than you can imagine. Whether you prefer Italy or Martha's Vineyard, North Carolina or Africa, there is a home to suit your vacation needs. There are even homes for rent for RV travelers to "take a break" and spread out for a little while. I consider this a much more savvy way to travel, and I will always recommend it over timeshares any day.

Therein lies a tale....

...as only Al can tell it. A dear friend of mine is currently on his annual trek across the country in his RV with his 2 beloved traveling companions, Max and Merlin. Max and Merlin are Al's traveling companions by default. They get no say in the matter because they are dogs. They just smile and go along for the ride, without the foggiest notion what is in store for them. Al's journey, along with Max and Merlin, can be quite eventful and always fun to read about. The only thing better than reading Al's stories is actually hearing them. To fully appreciate his eloquent verbiage and sense of humor, travel over to his blog, The CafeMerlin and check out his new audio posts and his traveling dash cam.

Life gets in the way....

I am sure there is not one blogger out there that doesn't know what I mean when I say life gets in the way. Even if blogging is a full time job for some, life still gets in the way. The good thing is that you are your own boss and you can make up for lost time any day, any time, any place, and whenever the heck you feel like it. I have never been so thankful as I have the last few weeks that I was on my own time schedule and not putting my job on the line to deal with life. I always hated that I had to choose when I was a young mother. My job was in the airline/travel industry, therefore it did not slow down for me or my son when we were sick or tired or both. Luckily, we got through it, and this time life in general was able to slow down just when I needed it most. For more detailed information, travel on over to Annie's Savvy Cafe and see what life threw my way. In the meantime, let's move on with some travel stories and more about my trip to Tennessee. I know you have all been anxiously awaiting......ha ha ha ha!

Out West... It's different - for dogs..

Coming from the East Coast, it's really noticeable how different things are in places like Wyoming... (well, duh - that's why you do it dude...), but not just the scenery.

We were spending the night in Teton National Park at a large RV park on Jackson Lake (Coulter Bay).  I've been in that area enough times to know it gets pretty nippy at night even in June, as in 33 degrees, so the post-prandial stroll with Max was by neccessity somewhat truncated, me being without a heavy jacket, and Max recently shorn.  A pleasant evening as the sun set, and we wandered past the phone booth and Coke machines on our way back home - time to stoke the furnace....

Next day, a quick trip to the store before we departed, and the local buzz was the bear sighting last night... I was curious - "When would that be" I asked, "Around sun-set".  A little buzz ran up my spine... "And where...?" "Over by the phone booth - where the Coke machines are..."

I'll never be so unaware in bear country again - the concentration of humans in a camp-site, and the efforts of the Park Rangers to keep bear away from humans works - most of the time.  But you never know, and bears see dogs as a tasty snack.  Max is snoring gently in his bed as I type, but we were closer to more excitement that night than either of us ever wanted - and we never knew it...

Travelling with dogs....

.... and how it changed my life...

I've made cross country trips every year now since 2004, initially on my motorcycle, but more recently (as a concession to my aging body), by RV.  I live near Philadelphia, but love the west - west of the Rockies that is, so the first few days of any journey are just traveling.  Endless miles, up early, brew the coffee, hit the road, stop for a burrito, get gas, refuel the RV, hit the road, pull into a Wal-Mart parking lot, eat, sleep, repeat....  I've traveled I-70/I-80 seven times since 2004, and there are still bits that seem new - but it was just a road to where I wanted to go.  But then along came Max....

In 2006, a year or so after taking early retirement, I finally decided to find a dog once more, my work had precluded me devoting the time I feel needs to be accorded this common household pet, after all, cats just have Staff, but dogs... well they insist you pay attention - all the time.  A local shelter, found on-line, had a three year old black Labradoodle looking for a home.  We took him out for a test drive - and were hooked.  He was big, but really thin, only 55 pounds, not through neglect, but because he just paced and paced and paced all day - they couldn't feed him enough - he really needed a home, so he got one.  A big lovable fuzz-ball of a dog, Labrador temperament, and poodle fur...

A month later we hit the road for a six week RV trip - hope he travels well...

He took to the lifestyle right away, mind you, he was so glad for human company I think he would have volunteered for the Iditarod.  I drove, he slept. Every couple of hours, he'd get up, look at me in a way that said "Perhaps we should pull over..."  So we did - at the next Rest Stop.  He'd wander round, pee, pooh, eat a biscuit, drink a half gallon of water, and settle down to slumber for another two hours.

Perfect.

And so life changed.  No more the mindless chase across country, no more Wal-Marts.  Now we proceeded in a civilized manner, stopping every couple of hours, a little exercise, a drink, perhaps a snack... and a civilized campground every night.  Decent cooked meals, a slower pace of life, time to reflect, time to walk the new countryside every evening with Max, whose data bank of new smells was fast becoming full again.  No longer the blur of the road, my companion insisted I slow down, and so I did.  We both refilled our data banks, and we both learned to relax.

Just lucky you say?  I don't think so.  The universe has a way of telling you to slow down and see through someone else's eyes - Max was that message for me.   

Chippers Haven

I have something I absolutely have to share with everyone. A very dear friend of mine in Orlando (no, it isn't Mickey Mouse) started what I can only refer to as a sanctuary for Golden Retrievers with special needs. The things she does for these dogs is beyond amazing. Of course I am not surprised at all since I have known her for a long time and would expect no less from her. I think Pam was probably a Golden Retriever in another life. She is loving, loyal, dependable, unselfish, forgiving, thoughtful and not to mention blonde, ha ha. She gives her all to everything she does and I am proud to be her friend.
Chippers Haven is a special place. I cannot begin to explain the emotion that I feel when I read Pam's stories and see her photos of all the animals she loves and cares for. So, please visit Chippers Haven and share the warmth that Pam provides. She has a list of supplies posted on her site that she can always use to help her in her ability to continue her work. Let's see if we can help!!!

Please share any heartwarming animal stories you may have with us here.

Traveling With Pets

Traveling with pets can be a very daunting task. I found this to be too true when I had to travel across country with a dog and 3 cats for a family move.  It was then that I discovered my animals are not the adventurous type. (I must've rubbed off on them.) Instead of taking my pets with me when I travel, I usually pay a pet sitter so that they may remain in the comforts of their own home and overly spoiled lives. Better yet, when my parents do not travel with us, the animals get the benefit of being loved and spoiled by their grandparents. This is a lot like handing over your kids to grandparents. Sometimes, they just aren't as glad to see you upon your return because grandparents are much more attentive.

Well, despite the fact that my pets are not the jet setting type, I know many people travel with pets now more than ever. There is a "toy dog" traveling trend that I believe was started by celebrities awhile back and looks as though it is no more trouble than carrying a purse. Well, it isn't really that easy. Whether you are taking your beloved furry friend across state line in your car or across the country in an airplane, there are many regulations that must be adhered to. In my search for better information about traveling with pets, I found a website that I really like. It is called Pets On The Go. It does require a small membership fee of $15 but I think it is worth it for the extensive database of information they offer.

Let me know if you have any stories about traveling with pets!