Molly’s Van Life: The Nomadic Golden Retriever
The fan favorite of our home on wheels is Molly! Molly is our furry, chillin’, playful Golden Retriever. She recently turned 9 years old and in those years she’s explored a whole lot of the United States! Molly’s comfort, health, and joy has been a top priority. How we manage it since living in a van has changed a lot. We can assure you she’s living her best life with her parents, friends, and being outdoors all the time!
I can imagine the first thought about living in a van with a dog is how do we have space and is she comfortable? For those of you who know Molly, she is a carefree, sweet angel (I’m biased! But I hope you can agree 😉). When building out the van we made sure to keep her a nice spacious living area. Aside from her designated living area she has found comfort in a few other spots in the van. (When she’s not laying in the sunshine or shade of the van.😁)
My favorite spots: (by: Molly)
-Since my Dad and Mom drive a lot, I like to lay right in between the driver and passenger seats. This way I can make sure I get constant pets, feel the vibes of the van, and they won’t forget about me! It’s awesome.
-During the night I prefer to sprawl out on the cold floor in the kitchen. There’s a nice, squishy pad I like to rest on too. Only downside is when Mom has to use the toilet in the middle of the night. She makes me move because I block the door to it or whatever.
-My Dad and Mom’s bed is higher than I can jump and as a couch/bed lover this has been a sacrifice. When I’m itching for a cozy bed and snuggles I will sit at the front of the bed and growl until they get the hint and Dad picks me up. It’s a cool view from the bed and I always get snuggles.
Woof!🐾
Travelling with a furry companion comes with more things to think about. From comfort to routine to safety, we always have Molly at the top of our mind when making decisions. Recently, we have been working remotely and staying around with Molly a lot. But when we have to leave the van and start our summer jobs, we make sure to crack windows, open/turn on our fan vent and other fan, and fill her water bowl. We also use our Living in a Bubble window covers that keep out so much heat, providing shade and insulation. There’s also a thermometer we constantly check to make sure the van is staying at a comfortable temperature when we aren’t home. We also check on her frequently and if there is a hot day and we don’t feel comfortable leaving her in the van, we have helpful friends she can stay with. Keep these things in mind when traveling with your pet to ensure their safety and comfort.
Full time travel means that we play outside a LOT! From exploring trails to campsites to bodies of water to dog parks we are always picking up after Molly and keeping an eye out for critters. As you travel with your furry friend, be sure to clean up after them, stay hydrated, and be on the lookout for other animals (especially reptiles). Traveling with our dog, Molly, has brought us so much joy too! She reminds us to slow down, smell the flowers, and enjoy all the new places! Safe travels to you and your pawed companion(s)!🐾
