Learn About Your Pets' Past

If you, like me, adopted a rescue with an unknown past, you have to figure it out by watching your dog in various situations. Seymour was 2 1/2 years old when we adopted each other. He was heart worm positive, had kennel cough, had much of the hair rubbed away on his neck and was malnurished. Other than that, I had no idea about his past life. We have been together for over 4 years now and I continue to learn- or think I am learning - more about his life before me.

The way he stops and tries to chase larger pick up trucks leads me to believe that he was dumped or dropped off by someone in a pick up truck. It's a bit heartbreaking to think that as abused as he was, he still misses his old owner.

He could not be more loved now, by me and most adults. He sometimes stays with my friend who has known Seymour since the day I brought him home. This sweet friend worries about Seymour not eating and blames himself "I didn't heat up his food". Seymour eats like a king there and I think he has learned that if he holds off from eating his dogfood long enough, some bacon or pieces of steak will magically appear.

Seymour goes to daycare when I work and when I drop him off in the morning, the wife comes out to the car, and cuddles him and loves on him as she carries him to the house. He has never once not been excited to go in the mornings. Did he ever know this kind of love before?

We were eating in an outdoor cafe one Sunday morning and some musicians were coming in carrying their equipment. As they neared our table, Seymour started growling and barking and trying to nip at one man's feet. I noticed that the man was wearing work boots. This has happened twice before and leads me to believe that his previous owner may have worn boots, and possible kicked him. Just a speculation.

What does this have to do with travel? I know to be aware of men wearing boots coming near us. If they are brave enough, I ask them to just put their hand out to let Seymour sniff it and he is then OK with them. Even though he is only 7 pounds, his bark can scare a grown man and it's not easy to convince them that he is harmless. He has never bitten anyone and is a real people pleaser. He would much rather be around people than other dogs. But he does seem to get along with female dogs. Actually, he loves women in general. He also loves children and worries when an infant starts to cry. Did his previous owner have to give him up because they had a child?

To get him to stop barking, I read that a dog whistle hurts a dogs ears and that can distract him. So, I purchased a whistle, he started barking, I started blowing, and he came to me. Obviously his previous owner whistled to get him to come. It didn't work as anticipated, but I'm happy he comes when I whistle. On a trip, that is important information if he ever gets loose.

So, as you learn more about your dog, use those lessons to improve the travel experience for your and your pet.

One of my favorite travel items

I'm a bit lazy and sometimes a little scattered in my approach to travel. I want to quickly gather what I need for Seymour and the items need to be simple and convenient to use. I'm the type of person who never checks a bag on a plane because I can fit everything I need into a carry-on and a back pack - even if I'm going to Europe for 2 weeks. So, when traveling in the States with my dog, I try to travel the same way.

This is not to say that I don't succumb to gadgets and cuteness. Seymour does have a wardrobe of clothes but my reasoning is that chihuahuas can get cold and need the warmth of a sweater or pea coat. And he can't take a walk on Halloween without wearing his costume or a muscle tee shirt on the beach. Did I mention that my children are all out of the house? OK, I digress.

So, I found a great water bottle with a folding trough that I've been using and loving for over a year. I won't go on a trip without it. There are many companies that make these bottles but the one I have it called the Gulpy Pet Water Dispenser. I got it at REI for under $10. By the way, I am not selling or profiting from any item I mention.


When I'm traveling by car, I keep it handy in a car seat pocket. I've read reviews of similar items and one complaint is that they leak. I have never had that problem. There is a flip trough attached to a water bottle and the only time water comes out is when you unhinge the trough and squeeze the bottle. Seymour loves to drink out of it. I continue to squeeze as he is drinking so he almost thinks he is drinking from a running faucet - or a dripping faucet. Seymour is a picky eater and drinker so finding something that encourages him to keep hydrated was a relief.

I do have a couple of small complaints with the Gulpy. First, it is quite a big bottle for Seymour. We could easily use one 1/2 the size and it would be more convenient to carry around. The one I have holds 20 ounces of water. But I have read reviews from people with large dogs who say it is too small - so maybe they need to make 3 sizes.

The other problem is when I take Seymour for a walk and clip the bottle to my jeans, it soon looks like I have a quacking duck bill (not the body) attached to me. The trough opens and closes and twists to my body movements. Now, I'm not a "sashay-er"; the hips make the normal movement of a well over 6 pound body, so I'm pretty sure the product design is the problem. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm thinking that wrapping a wide rubber band around both the bottle and trough should keep it from quacking.

The problems are minor compared to the convenience of having an easy-to-use one piece water/bowl. I like it so much that I plan to buy another, just in case this one breaks or gets lost.

Seymour was well on his way toward having the perfect and necessary travel accessories - and stylish travel wardrobe.