Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

A Retiree Nomad's Guide to Traveling Long-Term with a Dog
Bridget Kiregaard

The median age of retirement across the US is 62. After this age, retirement is seen as a time to enjoy, relax, and explore. However, most Americans today are choosing to retire earlier.

A study found that 6 out of 10 retirees stepped out of the workforce before they reached 62. If you can, then why not? Post-retirement, many decide to adopt pets and even travel with them.

Are you planning to do the same? Whether you're going to buy a pooch or already have one, you know the benefits of having a fur baby around. To adopt the nomadic lifestyle, indeed, you cannot leave them behind.

However, is it possible to have them accompany you on your adventures? Absolutely and this article will act as your guide. Find out all that is needed to travel long-term with a dog.

Adopt a Slower Travel Pace

Have you and your spouse loved exploring the outdoors till now? An early retirement must mean that your travel wings can soar higher. You should be excited to gather as many experiences as you can.

However, with a pooch in the picture, you may have to adopt a slower pace. Dogs tend to get tired more easily compared to humans. Moreover, they relax and sleep much more than us.

Studies have found that dogs may sleep around 12 to 14 hours each day. Can you imagine doing that? If anything, we humans have mastered the art of ignoring our internal clocks. This is most true when exciting travel plans call out our names.

Your pooch is unlikely to do that. Dogs respond to the cues their bodies give, which helps them recover from daily activities. Furthermore, dogs are extremely sensitive to their surroundings and require a lot of routine and structure to their days to feel comfortable.

So, when you spend an extended time in a destination, slow down your traveling pace. There are no hard and fast rules here; choose a pace that works best for you and your pet. From a couple of weeks to a few months, allow your pooch the time it needs to adjust to a new routine and neighborhood.

Choose Pet-Friendly Accommodations Wisely

If you're planning to become a post-retirement nomad with a dog, it’s a given that you will need to look for pet-friendly accommodations. We would recommend starting with a pet-friendly destination itself, like Austin, Portland, or Denver.

In these cities, it is easier to find amenities that cater specifically to your pooch. Across others, you may find options but it would require digging a little deeper. After zeroing in on a couple of favorable options, contact the accommodation to inquire about its facilities.

Besides the basics of pet beds, doggy daycare, and outdoor play areas, the accommodation must practice impeccable hygiene. Take, for instance, the pet play areas and parks. In general, pet parents must pick up after their pets.

That's fine as a rule but in itself is not a solid hygiene practice. This is because pet waste contains harmful nasties like E.coli bacteria. They can linger on the ground long after the waste has been picked up.

Ideally, the accommodation should collaborate with a dog poop pickup service. The experts will not only remove the waste collected across pet waste stations but they will also sanitize the areas.  

According to Scoop Soldiers, periodic sanitization will keep enemies like parvovirus and listeria at bay. This process will be followed by deodorization to remove any traces of unpleasant odors. Your stay will be the most comfortable when the living conditions are safe, hygienic, and suitable for your pet’s needs.

Always Carry All Essentials

Essentials is a largely broad term that would include all things that your pet would require. This will also depend on the mode of transport you choose to travel. Let's see a general list of items that may come under essentials for dogs.

For Days of Travel

When you and your dog are on the move to a new destination, you may require the following -

• A soft-sided carrier that easily fits within the airline’s specifications

• Dog food for a couple of days along with a plan to prepare or buy food depending on the destination

• A collapsible water bowl

For Daily Use

While you're exploring and enjoying the destination with your pooch, you will require the following essentials -

• A harness and leash along with a jacket for cold weather

• Toothpaste or teeth cleaning strips

• A few toys and treats

• Dog bed to ensure your pet understands that the new place is to be their home

• A grooming kit with shears and clippers. This depends on your dog’s grooming needs.

• A dog camera for days when you must leave your pooch back at home. It will help you keep an eye on their activities while you’re out exploring.

For Excursions

Certain days will be different than the others, involving a lot of seatbelt strapping and fun adventures. For those days, you will need these -

• A doggie backpack if your dog is small. They may get tired on long hikes and will appreciate a lift.

• A doggie seatbelt for car rides

Keep in mind that the list will vary depending on your pooch's needs. If anything, don't obsess about traveling light because that will seldom happen with a fur buddy around.

Consider Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

The truth is not all dog breeds suffer from separation anxiety. Even among those who do, some may experience it more than others. The breeds that most commonly experience separation anxiety include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Toy Poodles.  

According to the American Kennel Club, such dogs feel extremely stressed from the time you leave them alone to the time you reunite. Here are some unmistakable signs of separation anxiety -

• Excessive barking or howling

• Urinating or defecating inside the house

• Whining, pacing, or trembling

• Excessive drooling, panting, or salivation

• Prolonged desperate attempts to escape confinement

While you're out traveling, there may be places you cannot take your pooch along. If they are left behind, they may experience separation anxiety. Let's look at some ways to calm them down -

• At first, your dog may follow you everywhere to keep you in sight. Let them do so. This will help them get familiar with the new surroundings.

• Try to stay at a destination for a couple of days to help your dog get used to it. Also, for a day or two, take them along everywhere you go. Let them enjoy fun activities with you.

• Gradually, you can leave them behind but not more than a few hours.

• If you can find a reliable pet sitter to provide a homey environment, that would be the best.

Secure Pet Insurance

This point is especially important for those adopting a nomadic lifestyle with a senior dog. Pet insurance will offer you much-needed support with any unforeseen veterinary expenses that may arise during your travels.

You can have peace of mind and reassurance that your pooch will receive the best possible care without compromising on budget. Depending on the policy, your dog may receive additional aging benefits over health expenses.

Just choose a policy that aligns well with your budget and use a flexible mode of payment. It's a strategic move as should be any other when you're traveling with a senior dog. A nomadic lifestyle with them, although possible, requires a lot more planning and foresight. 

We hope this article has shed light on how to become a retiree nomad with a pooch. This lifestyle is exciting, adventurous, and a little challenging in itself.

Complexities may intensify when a four-legged buddy tags along. However, there's nothing that a little planning and foresight cannot overcome.  

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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