This is my first chance to read the talk on traveling with dogs. I have no idea what our Allstate motor club would do if we broke down in rhe road.
Once, my husband has the dog at a park in Albuquerque in the summer when it was triple digits F, and the battery died. He called me and I not only called the motor club, but I found our neighbor at home, and together she and I went to rescue Sandh who was standing under and overhang with my husband waiting for the motor club truck. So, my neighbor and I took Sandy home, and left hubby alone to wait for truck that arrived right after we left.
Now, I am wondering what would have happened of my neighbor had not been home and able to help me get to rescue Sandy. Sandy's crate was in the car, and the battery was jumped so my husband made it home. Then, the guy who did the jump also sold us a new battery and even put it in at our house.
Now, I am worried with all our traveling cross country.
And Nettle, you wouldnt believe the number of rest areas that have been closed "for repairs" all over the US. There is a major highway through the mojave desert where we have 200 miles and both rest rooms are closed. (Note on the California Highway rest stop system online said it was due to graffiti!)
There is one teeny town on that route called Ludlow with two gas stations, one restaurant and motel. One place even has a sign of ni dogs allowed on the grass. So many people have stopped at the other gas station near the restaurant that they added port-o-potties in the back. I found an area across the street that is basically dirt that Sandy uses. Once, though, and only once when Sandy was new to us, we stopped at the side of the highway. Husband had Sandy, but raced back to car with Sandy after he heard the rattler of a rattle snake. Since then, we know to go in Needles, just over the Colorado River after leaving Arizona and then racing 200 miles to Ludlow for facilities for both us and Sandy.
So, in the US, it can get pretty bad when they close rest stops. I have learned to limit my liquid intake. At least, we have some nice truck stops, and trucker often have dogs with them for company on the road, so there are usually areas for Sandy. I do have to not only keep him on leash, but I have to carry him through the gas pumps and parking areas to the grassy areas. Too dangerous for him otherwise.
I will need to look into the Allstate motor club policy as to towing situations. It sounds frightening after hearing the experience of MPBandmom. Sandy is also reactive, but since he travels in a crate, that is helpful for transporting him in another vehicle. Actually, with two of us, I would get a cab to a motel while husband goes with the tow guy, of course, as long as it isn't in the middle of the desert.
Well, we are now in Oklahoma City. Tomorrow, we go to Elk City, Oklahoma, and then, if all is well, we head to our Albuquerque house on Tuesday.
Diane
Sandy, Chihuahua mix b. 12/20/09