A life on the road requires a complex combination of factors to make it work. On the top of my list is someone to share the journey with. In my case, it is my dog, an 8-year-old Aussie/Husky mix named Cannoli. For you, it might be a spouse, partner, child, parent, or a combination of humans and/or pets.
In my case, I couldn’t or wouldn’t attempt this adventure without a dog. If I didn’t have the stellar dog companion I have now, I’d drive as fast as I could to the shelter and pick one out. It’s a “must” for me.
At the KOA in Amarillo, Texas, I camped next to a couple in a handmade teardrop. The woman told me that in her opinion, a woman solo on the road must have an animal to take care of in order to stay emotionally stable. I agree with her. But I wish I had asked her to expound on that. It was the beginning of my travels, on my trek from Louisiana to California, and I was not as adept at talking with fellow travelers as I am now.
I also understand that for some of us travelers, the solo journey is the best. Having along other people or pets does complicate issues and I can see why someone would choose complete freedom to move around and not have to accommodate another being.
For me, the dog life is best. Here’s why:
- Unconditional Love — I need to be around this pure loving being, who wants nothing more than to be with me (well, that and her walks and food and soft bed). Where else in life do you get such a consistent supply of unconditional love? I need it. I want it. I must have it.
- Someone to Care For — I need a being to give my love to. I thrive on the snuggles, the hugs, the petting, the tender touches, and all the other ways I convey to her that she is loved. I love cooking her food, frying up the ground turkey and then adding the yams and carrots and spinach and green beans and fish oil and calcium and eggs. Each addition and stir of the pot elicits from me the endorphins that come from the act of love.
- Protection — It probably helps that my dog looks like a wolf. Any big dog (she is 65 lbs.) is a potentially dangerous creature. And as nice as she is, she is also fiercely protective. She can get very tense when we come across strangers. I like that very much. And she is a light sleeper so she can hear potential trouble when I might be snoring away. We’ve never had any trouble, but it could happen.
- Someone to Walk With — I realized in my early 40s that if I didn’t start exercising everyday, I would end up stiff and crippled when I got to be the age I am now. Walking is the answer to all that ails me, or that could ail me. Walking with a dog is the only way to go for me. For their own mental health, dogs needs to get out and see and smell the world around them. My dog’s need drives my 3 walks a day. Our walks are among my favorite parts of each day.
- Someone to Talk to — I do talk to my dog. Usually it’s to say: “We’re almost there,” or “We’re going on our walk soon,” or “C’mon, let’s go.” Sometimes I verbally review her day with her, reminding her all the fun and adventures we had, and all the good meals. When you travel alone, it’s good to have someone to talk to so your mouth and all your talking apparatus don’t stiffen up.
- Warmth — My girl brings me emotional warmth and physical warmth. To be in presence of such a glorious creature is an experience I would not want to miss.
I could and would not do this without a dog. Thankfully, I don’t have to.