You can also find out more about WWhen, two summers ago, our dog sitters suddenly cancelled on us, just 24 hours prior to our departure, we were more than a little upset. Knowing that we couldn’t just leave Missy with a tin-opener at home, we sent out urgent texts and phoned people until we found someone. A friend of a friends of another friend was the one we ended up finding. What else could we do? The flights are non-refundable.
We were not keen to repeat the experience. We took Missy back with us the next year. Dogs After all, they are mobile and love adventure. Also, this was to be an extended holiday, away for a full month – working part time in order to fund it – and we couldn’t be apart from her for that long.
Missy was getting bored of the local parks. I thought she’d enjoy a break. It is amazing what you can see in hindsight. My wife and I set off in a state of high excitement – our girls waving us goodbye, then promptly disappearing inside to plan illicit parties.
The dog was seated bolt upright, panting, with her tongue almost between her knees, as we drove to France for a week and then north-east Spain for three days. As we stopped at motorway service stations, she would pull me toward unfamiliar smells in an urgent manner that was bordering on deranged. And once we got there, she continued to be confused. Missy did not enjoy the novelty that came with a brand new neighbourhood, learning a foreign language, or eating alfresco late into evenings without Netflix.
Seeing her tail tucked tightly into her body, I became convinced she’d sunk into a depression. The dogs she encountered during our daily walks were baldly antagonistic towards her (revenge for Brexit?) She began to hide between my legs. This was not good. Just like Withnail and I, it felt increasingly as if we had gone on holiday by mistake.
After a decade of our first dog ownership experience, we felt a sense of relief when Missy proved to be one of the best: calm, not easily riled up, and utterly simple. She never showed separation anxiety. She was also good off the leash and always happy. Simon Wooler is the author of the Dog Training Guide. More Than Just a DogHe says that traveling with pets is never easy. “There can be a number of problems that may not appear at first,” he says. Does your dog travel easily? “Are they susceptible to travel sickness?”
We quickly learned that France would be hostile to Missy. Its green spaces displayed NO DOGS signs and the locals frowned whenever she squatted down to relieve herself. We were staying at the hilltop village Saumane-de-Vaucluse (Provence), near a golf club we didn’t want to use, but we did enjoy its pool. Missy couldn’t go near the water and we had to leave her in our house. That she refused the familiar parting gift of a meaty treat was surprising – she just pinned back her ears, and slunk away. She had never done it before.
Wooler says, “It is the unfamiliarity of this place.” “It could have caused anxiety.”
Clearly. When I went back to check on her, my walk was accompanied by the intriguing sound of howling, and I immediately came over all Chris Packham: were these French deer? A Provençal owl? What about an ancient tribe of Gallic Wolves? It was then that I realized where it came from You can find out more about this by clicking here.My inconsolable chienne.
Zoom was set up on the laptop the following day. Again she refused the offer of a treat and, as we bid her goodbye, she walked off to face the nearest wall. After we left, she started to howl like Kate Bush did in Wuthering Heights. We had to return to her to apologize and feel guilty. We took turns with her, while the other went alone to the pool. This might have been interesting if it was The White Lotus or we were swingers. But, we spent most of our time apart. In the evenings we ate takeout on park benches because she couldn’t go to restaurants.
We told ourselves things would improve, just as desperate people often do. We would be in Calella de Palafrugell, a pretty coastal town 80 miles north-east of Barcelona, for three weeks. The three weeks in Calella de Palafrugell would give her time to settle down. Also, our daughters’ imminent arrival might be helpful. But, no. She didn’t have permission to go on the beach. The fierce breeze that whipped through the flat each afternoon slammed doors and shutters as it went. She didn’t like it. In the night, wailing and achy from insomnia, she would sit next to our bed, refusing any comfort. Even the night that a bat flew in the bedroom and sent us all screaming in different directions did not improve the situation.
We occasionally tried to behave as normal tourists and visited churches, cathedrals and shops. Each time I was forced to stay outside with her. She did not like us parting and wanted to stay together. On the day we drove to nearby Girona, there was a sudden spike in the temperature – 38C said the sign outside the pharmacy – and so we searched frantically for shade, pouring bottles of water over her, while I Googled “dog heat danger death”. If each of us was counting down the days until our departure, Missy was counting them quicker.
When at last we got back home, she made a beeline for the kitchen, and waited impatiently while I unpacked her cushion, then flopped down on it, curled into a comma, and let out the most operatic sigh.
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Should it have occurred that she might not enjoy it? Wooler replies kindly, “No.” Some dogs enjoy holidays with their owners. Others may not. It may be that they need to take medication first or go on a shorter trip. Some people are happier at home with family or friends. You won’t miss out on anything if you leave them at home.
This year we will send postcards.
What to do before you travel with your dog?
Taking your dog on a holiday is a good idea, but remember that they may be uncomfortable in new places and feel conflicted.
Travel sickness can be a problem for people who have to drive long distances. You can purchase sedatives and medication if they get travel sickness.
Try out some distances to test how your dog will do. Then, gradually increase the distance. It is easier to do this with a young puppy but it’s not impossible for an adult dog.
Fun games and tasty treats will help you create positive memories of new places.
In the end, your dog’s personality will determine whether it enjoys its holiday as much as yourself.
Essentials for your dog when you take it on vacation in the EU
1 Microchip your pet.
2 Vaccinate against rabies.
You can get an animal health certificate by asking your veterinarian.
Tapeworm treatment is important for your dog.
Arriving at the airport, you will need to present each of these documents.
Simon Wooler
People Who Like Dogs Like People Who Like Dogs by Nick Duerden is published by John Murray Press (£10.99). To help support The Guardian, order a copy today at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery Charges may Apply
