My journey into creating Have Pupper Will Travel began with a simple love for travel and getting outside with our cattle dog mix.

We adopted Archer from a local rescue back in 2011 when he was only 8 weeks old. At the time, we never could have predicted what having such a high-energy puppy would be like. An adorable ball of constant movement is how I would describe him. Our dog trainer simply called him pupper and the nickname stuck.

As he seemed to double in size each week, it became clear that he was not going to be 'only the size of a cocker spaniel,' as our original vet had estimated. In fact, he topped out at around 80 pounds; this meant we really wanted to make sure he was well-socialized with both people and other dogs. It also meant exposing him to a variety of environments.

To help him burn off some of that energy, I actively sought out spots for day trips, hikes, brunches, and vacations where he could join us. It didn't take long to realize that much of the available information on dog-friendly travel was a bit lacking, whether due to outdated details, size limitations for permitted dogs, or criteria that overlooked the fact that humans were also involved. Just because a dog is allowed to go doesn’t always mean it’s a place you want to go!

As Archer got older, we had to start making adjustments regarding how and where we traveled. On one of the few trips when he didn’t join us, he developed Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV or bloat) upon returning from the boarding facility. I don’t blame them, he drank too much water as soon as he got home and was probably still stressed from the experience, but it is a fatal condition if you can’t quickly get medical treatment. Recognizing the symptoms allowed us to act fast and rush him to the ER in time for a life-saving surgery. It’s a nightmare scenario for any dog owner, and it was a tough few weeks of recovery and worry before we knew he was going to be okay. However, that experience made it clear to us that leaving him behind on our travels was not something we ever wanted to do again.

What had once been a fun pastime became the mandatory way of vacationing, transforming our regular road trips around California into the preferred mode of exploration. Given his decreased mobility, we also started researching activities to meet an older dog’s capabilities, requiring some advanced planning (and creativity) to continue taking adventures together.

After years of traveling with a lively young pup and now with the seasoned companion he has become, I found myself with a vast collection of tips and experiences. These journeys, often starting near or from our base in Los Angeles, inspired me to start this blog. My aim is to help fellow dog owners who want to spend more time with their pets, ensuring that your adventures are not only memorable but also enjoyable for both humans and puppers alike.