Vistabuling with Pets

Meet Karen and Friends

Within the Vistabule community we have a significant contingent of folks traveling with their pets. I don’t think I need to poll the group to determine that most of these furry pals happen to be dogs. Given their innate desire to be everyone’s best friend, dogs tend to be a bit more compliant and obedient, making for better travel companions. It also helps that many breeds are naturally rugged and built for the outdoors, while simultaneously providing an added sense of security. It’s fair to say that the canine is king in the realm of pets and camping. However, there is nothing in the rulebook barring other domesticated species from enjoying your company in the outdoors. And if there is a rule, maybe we can break it just a little bit?

Meet Karen Angelici (#838). She came to us inquiring about purchasing a Vistabule in 2023. Like most of our customers, her initial questions were nothing out of the ordinary. It wasn’t until her plans to purchase started to materialize that we learned Karen had a grand vision for her trailer. Though perhaps not as accommodating as Noah’s Ark, Karen has found a way to transform her Vistabule into a sanctuary of sorts for her furry and feathered friends. On any given trip, if you run into Karen out at a state park, you can expect to find her with a dog, two cats, and maybe most remarkably, a small parrot.

Karen will be the first to tell you that she is no expert and is new to the whole “traveling menagerie” thing, but that’s pretty modest coming from someone that regularly travels and camps in a teardrop trailer with a whole pet store. She was kind enough to share some of her experiences with everyone today. Let’s hand it over to Karen!

A Dog, two Cats, and a Parrot, walk into a Vistabule…

“As a single woman in my 50’s, I had grown tired of solo vacations and realized I wanted to be able to travel with my pets. My Vistabule has made that possible! During Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020, I began to accumulate a small circus:

Dollie Mae: a Maremma Sheepdog rescued from a shelter in rural Oklahoma, thick white double coat (self-cleaning fur though, which is amazing!), sweet, gentle, calm, but can be very protective and wary of strangers.  I have learned that it is best to introduce her to new people away from the campsite and then walk together to my Vistabule, if they would like a tour.

Max: a cuddly, long-haired, brown tabby Scottish Fold cat from a reputable breeder, very social like a dog, fetches, sensitive, sweet…and is also a bit mischievous. He is the one most likely to escape at camp; and he has escaped!

Zoya: a very loving, long-haired, orange and white Scottish Fold cat, from the same breeder, incredibly chill, beautiful and acts like the princess she is. She enjoyed meeting Bert and Lily during my Vistabule orientation.

Charlotte: a tiny, green Black-Capped Conure parrot, rescued from a pet store that had severely neglected her to the point that she could barely walk or perch without falling. She is slowly learning to trust humans and was happy to get some neck and beak rubs from Al & Lily when I picked up my Vistabule.

After purchasing a Toyota 4Runner in 2023 (to replace my 21-year-old Tacoma), I suddenly realized I could vacation with my pets since my vehicle could easily fit them all, and could also tow a camper. Thankfully, although I work full-time, I have been blessed with an employer that provides a generous leave package. I did a bit of research and saw a Vistabule in person, and ordered one. Although I had almost never camped as an adult, and some people thought that I was nuts, I took the plunge and dove straight into camping – Vistabule-style!

After 6 months of intermittent camping with my furry and feathered family along with my new Vistabule, I have a learned a few things about traveling with pets which I will share, for what it’s worth. And, for the record, I have no regrets! It’s been challenging, but I love it…and it seems that my pets do too🙂

I am learning, first and foremost, that preparation and flexibility are key when traveling with pets (or with anyone I suppose!) As one might imagine, “winging it” is not going to work with a small circus😀 [editor’s note – “winging it” is Charlotte-approved]

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

Safety First

• Keep a pet first aid kit, plus proof of rabies vaccination for all pets, in my vehicle.
• Stock up on meds from my vet to prevent motion sickness on the road. My dog and one cat take Cerenia for longer trips – but vastly different doses for each pet.
• Treat my pants, boots, and socks in advance (outside!) with permethrin to prevent ticks but never ever expose my cats to WET permethrin which is toxic for them. My dog & cats also take flea & tick meds (species-specific ones).
• Transport my dog in a crash-tested TransK9 crate with their spill-proof water bowl (she sleeps in it at night at camp, so that my Vistabule stays clean! My vehicle stays clean that way also!)
• Use my vehicle’s remote start function while traveling in warmer weather, which allows me to leave the A/C on with the car locked, while I run into a gas station.
• Place harnesses on my cats with trackers that don’t require cell service for tracking in case they escape my camper; I use Tabcat Cat Tracker.
• Carry a lightweight, highly-rated Fido Pro Emergency Rescue Sling on hikes (fits in my small fanny pack) so that I can transport my 72-lb dog out by myself, on my back, if she gets injured on the trail.

Creature Comforts

• Convert the deepest camper cabin cubby into a litter box using a disposable leak-proof one that fits snuggly; ZenKitty brand, in size 17” x 13” x 5”, works nicely. I also have a plastic litter box on the backseat floor of my vehicle for longer drives.
• Feed all pets special food, that they don’t get at home, while camping so that they associate trips with good things. My furballs get canned wet food and special treats, and my feathered friend gets her favorite seeds and veggies.
• Bring their favorite cat carriers and birdy backpack for sleeping in the Vistabule, and for transport in the vehicle. I also keep them out at home for naptime.
• Put two, fitted, fleece covers on my parrot’s backpack on colds nights and then add large-sized chemical warmers (similar to hand warmers) between the two layers to keep her cozy but not cooked! Ignik makes XL-sized ones that are reusable for up to 24 hours so a few will last me several nights.
• Use a tiny 2” white noise machine in my dog crate in my vehicle – the LectroFan Micro2 is fantastic. It charges via USB and ensures Dollie isn’t disturbed by outdoor sounds at night, and therefore isn’t disturbing campers by barking!
• Install a magnetic bug screen, from Luno, on buggy nights on my back retractable 4Runner window to keep bugs away from my dog and her water dish while allowing for fresh air.

Those are just a few things I have learned along the way, and I am still learning how to travel with my pets with every trip. My fellow Vistabulers have been very patient and understanding with me and my circus when camping together, and I am so grateful for that.

For example, no one gave me grief when I unexpectedly left the Northeast Vistabule rally in Massachusetts this fall, a full day and night early because Dollie would not stop barking after the campground filled up on Friday night (and a monster motorhome moved into my campsite instead). I left Saturday instead of Sunday, but I had arrived earlier in the week since I had learned on previous trips that my dog does best camping during the weekdays, when there are fewer people, large RVs and other dogs.

I had also called the campground office ahead to try to find a more-private, secluded campsite (although it seems they did not have those). Alas, despite my careful preparations, I realized that being flexible and leaving early made the most sense, so my dog would not be stressed and so that I would not disturb fellow campers.

Admitttedly, there is also lot of luck involved in traveling with pets! I have been blessed with furry and feathered companions that adapt relatively easily to new situations, get along with each other and seem to love camping most of the time. If they are showered with love and treats, they seem to thrive.  While it can sometimes be stressful, it brings me immense joy to travel with them.  My Vistabule and the Vistabule community has made this dream of traveling with my family come true for me.”

Doolittle or Doolots

Not everyone has the same kind of bravery Karen has to venture off in their trailer with fourteen feet and two wings tagging along behind them. But you don’t have to bring the whole farm along to enjoy the unique experience of camping with pets. With some thoughtful consideration and planning, and an openness and flexibility to the unknown, you too can bring a loyal companion along with you on your next great outdoor adventure!

We would love to talk more with you about how a Vistabule or DayTripper would make the perfect retreat for you and your little buddies. Well-behaved pets are always welcome at Vistabule HQ! So reach out today, by booking a showing, filling out our interactive build form, or by giving us a call (612-808-5974).*

In other words, *woof woof, meow meow, tweet tweet, hiss hiss (ok, maybe leave the snake at home…)