Ticks, Beepers, and a Stick in Norman's Mouth | Life on the Road With Dogs

"Do you want the good news or the bad news?" That's how this one started. Norman, a stick, and a phone call that had Cara convinced something was actually wrong.

We've been traveling full-time with Norman and Bella for a while now, and this episode is everything we've learned along the way that we haven't said out loud yet. The hammock that saved our backseat. The water timing trick we wish we'd figured out before our Kansas debacle. Why we medicate them the same way we'd medicate ourselves after an injury. The tick situation that's still not fully solved. And the beeper collar that quietly became one of the best decisions we've made on the road. Plus: a stick, a spoon of peanut butter, and a phone call that had one of us convinced the worst had happened.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Why our dogs never learned to hold their bladder, and what that means for road trip planning
• The dog hammock and cushion setup that saved our backseat (and our sanity)
• Why we don't feed or water them right before a long drive, and what taught us that lesson the hard way
• The pain medication mindset we use for the dogs that we also use for ourselves
• Our ongoing, unsolved tick situation and why we're looking for a better option
• How the beeper collar became one of the best tools we've added to the road
• Hot pavement, paw pads, and timing walks around the heat
• What we've learned about national park rules and campground restrictions for dogs
• Norman, a stick, a spoon of peanut butter, and the funniest non-emergency of the trip

Resources & Mentions:

• Our dog first aid kit episode (porcupine quills, cactus removal, rattlesnake awareness)
• Our Kansas episode (the cop and emergency convoy story referenced here)
• Wall Drug, South Dakota (the billboard campaign that got us curious)

If something in our conversations is stirring something in you, The Reinvention Project is where we go deeper. Come find us when you're ready. https://thereinventionproject.podia.com/the-quiet-reinvention-workshop

You're always welcome at our campfire. The blog, the show, social, Ko-fi, and how to reach us!