Chance’s Excellent Adventure
By Chance the Dog

Note from Pat: In 2000 we had to relocate from Calgary, Canada, to Houston, Texas. Several years before, we'd tried putting our Samoyed, Chance, on a plane for a long distance move, with disastrous results. So this time we decided to drive--a journey that totaled 3.000 miles. Keith and I have our own memories of the trip. What follows is Chance’s view of this adventure, as it appeared in the online publication PetScoop.

I knew something was up. My people, Pat and Keith, often behave strangely-- moving furniture around, hiding things, living on Domino's pizza... but this time my crate disappeared. This was serious.

Bye bye, snow

We were moving again; something to do with “work.” I am fortunate because I am self-employed. So I can dig, chase squirrels, guard tennis balls and sniff things just about anywhere on earth. As long as I have my people along, I am happy. But I was willing to help Pat and Keith find a new home… that’s just the kind of guy I am.

So, one frosty day in December, my crate and all my worldly belongings (toys, treats, leashes, brushes, food, medicines. insulin, and syringes--did I mention I'm diabetic?) were loaded into the 4X4. Pat and Keith's few meager belongings were stuck on the roof. We left Calgary--home of the world's best dog walks, Norman the squirrel, and Cleo the cat, Queen of Canada (she said), and hit the open road.

Avalanche cannons

First we checked out the Rocky Mountains--in the middle of winter! I was taken for a spectacular walk through the snow in Rogers Pass, B.C., the highest point of the Trans Canada Highway. We were delayed while park officials set off avalanche cannons ahead of us. I marked a number of excellent spots during this walk, happy that our risk of being buried in tons of snow was now significantly reduced! My Pat was looking a bit nervous, however. Maybe this is why we decided not to make our home in these mountains, even though I voted YES.

In Vancouver for the holidays, I had to fight off the ladies as usual. So many snuggles and kisses! Unfortunately, most of the ladies were preschool age and human. I also met two wicked and powerful felines, one of them ruler of the Western Hemisphere, she said. Her name was Abby. She allowed me to join the family for Christmas dinner, as long as I refrained from sniffing the litter box and eating the ping pong balls. It seemed a small price to pay. Though I must admit, the ping pong balls looked mighty tasty.

America, America

The land of the free, home of the brave, and birthplace of Rin Tin Tin, welcomed us early in January. Our Canada/U.S. border crossing guard was gravely ill. I know this because I was stretched out in my crate, smiling healthily and agreeably so he would let me into the U.S., but he paid no attention to me at all. After visiting the big border building for awhile, Pat and Keith came back to the car cheerful and relaxed, so I'm pretty sure there was some rawhide in there.

The days that followed were crisp and pleasant... we drove through Washington State and Oregon, which I liked very much because there were lots of huge trees and lots of fresh air. Pat and Keith stopped every two or three hours, so that I could stretch my legs, have a refreshment, and leave my business card. Never know what connections you might make in Lincoln City.

Coasting in Oregon

En route to California, here's what a typical one-night home was like: small, stuffy, near the highway, and the art was nailed to the wall. But my Pat and Keith were at least with me--close enough for me to hear them snoring! --and all my important things were there, like my food and raggedy toy. When it was time for dinner, I was given my usual excellent meal, then accompanied Keith and Pat to their dinner! ...Well, I had to wait in the car, but I could see them through the window, enjoying sumptuous diner food!

California girl

Actually, that pretty well sums up all our potential homes--none of them were suitable and we would only stay one night (though I might have voted YES to any one). Then we reached California, and... 

Kyra!

Kyra, my most beloved, is a Samoyed who, like me, enjoys squeaky toys, yogurt, driving in the country, and eating dirt. We finally sniffed face to face! My people and her people met on the Internet when Kyra and I were diagnosed with diabetes at the same time. Kyra did not want to get too amorous on our first meeting--she made that quite clear--but allowed me to nap on her mountain of plush toys while our people ate dinner. It was a glorious time! I hope we will meet again soon.

The Dog Beach

Next stop was a magical place called San Diego. Here there were smells I had never smelled and sights I had never seen before! Big expanses of litter box (I learned the scientific name from my cat friends, Cleo and Abby), tall flowers and exotic scents, and people who stopped constantly to scratch and pet me. This was a bit of alright. And San Diego is the home of my favorite dog park: the Dog Beach!

A bit of wind, a bit of surf...

Picture a most excellent stretch of sand and sea, under brilliant blue skies; and on that sand picture dogs--dogs of every size and shape, running and splashing, meeting and greeting. It was heaven! I made some lifelong friends there (and am certain to hear later from those who picked up my business card). What a thrill to have a beautiful beach that welcomed both me and my people!

I voted YES on San Diego. But, my Pat and Keith were still restless, so next thing I knew we were in the truck again and driving across an enormous litter box. It was very hot, the walks were dusty, and I got burrs in my paws, so reluctantly had to vote NO to southern Arizona and New Mexico.

Tenderfoot in the desert

Then we were suddenly somewhere I deeply understood. This Texas place has big Alberta skies, and cowboy hats, and folks appreciate BIG things... no one has ever agreed with me before that bigger is always, ALWAYS better--bigger sticks, bigger bones, bigger treats, bigger girls... and now I feel I have come home!

There aren't many of us sled dogs here in Houston, so I have to endure a lot more attention when we’re out (a great hardship). And it is hot. But I have already met the local squirrels (Virgil and Eugene), and made the acquaintance of a sleek local cat, the Queen of the Confederacy, she said, but she didn't leave her name.

Maybe next time.

Houston, we have no problem!

Pat again: We were on the road for about a month, so packed extras of everything we thought Chance might need, including food, insulin and medications. He had a cooler in the truck for his insulin, but we always requested a room with a kitchen or a fridge. We used several of the larger chains, including Best Western and Quality Inns. Most places were good and very accommodating; some were not--so it was always best to phone ahead for details and to make bookings. We always preferred a ground level room, preferably with its own outside door, since this made dog walking much easier.

The major highways have good rest areas that allow pets on leash, and maps from the AAA show exactly where these rest stops are located. It was important to stop every few hours to allow Chance to relieve himself, drink fresh water, and stretch his legs. He traveled in his kennel, secured to the inside of the 4X4 with bungee cords. Please contact me if you would like any more info about traveling with your pet!