Jean M. Fogle
"My husband Paul and I are Type-A personalities, admits Liz Palika of Oceanside, Calif. To get away, we load our three Australian Shepherds in the van and go camping. Surrounded by huge Douglas firs with a burbling creek nearby, we are in heaven. The dogs get to explore and smell all kinds of new things they don't encounter at home, and I enjoy watching their reactions, she says.
Another canine camping fan, Robert Armstrong of Houston, says, When Charlie, our 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, hears the RV rumbling down the street and can see it from the couch by the front window, he lets everyone in the neighborhood know that it's camping time.
Whether you like pitching a tent under the stars or parking your RV in a campground, including your dog doubles the fun.
Think it Through
Like a good scout, be prepared.
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Confirm that the campground accepts dogs. Policies can change from year to year. Due to insurance concerns, some campgrounds do not allow certain breeds.
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If your dog has never camped, set up your tent a few days ahead in your yard, so she can get used to it.
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Pack your dog's rabies certificate. Many campgrounds and parks require proof of vaccination.
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Help ensure your dog's safety with up-to-date ID tags that include your cell phone number.
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Carry a current picture of her in case she gets lost and you need to put up posters or talk to people in the area.
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Check the weather report, but plan for weather changes. Savanna, our Greyhound, nearly froze to death when we went camping in late September in Big Bear, says Kim Thornton of Lake Forest, Calif. My husband Jerry had an old sweatshirt, so we cut the arms off and put it on her.
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Make sure parasite preventives
are up-to-date.
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Posted: Tue May 31 00:00:00 PDT 2005
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