Hi all,

We are off for a weeks break on the Isle of Harris (Outer Heberdies) next
week with Rufus.

It is approx 10 hour drive, then a 1½ hour ferry, and finally a further
half hour drive.

We are going to take lots of water, make regular stops, take lots of
chews/toys - has anyone any other suggestions as to how to make
Rufus as comfortable as possible.

He will be harnessed in the back, with the whole back seat to himself
and a snuggly blanket.

Its a long way for us, never mind our 8mth schnauzer. Any suggestions/
experiences or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks, Louise

you are already thinking ahead, bear in mind if its a hot daay and you get stuck in traffic you will need to make even more stops.
the crates and vans at work that our dogs travel in have thermastically controlled air conditioning, on hot days its almost impossible to get the dogs out
tanya

It seems as if you've given a great deal of thought to this already. All I can add is we drove down to Cornwall (only a 5 hour drive) with Libby when she was 6 months old; as she was already used to the car, she settled really quickly and went to sleep :D She was far more refreshed on arrival than we were:) :)

Good luck and enjoy your hols!

liberty

Louise, let us know how you get on. I hope to take a trip across to Spain in the future with my boy and your experience would you useful. Have a good holiday.

Hello to all,
thanks for your replies, I am just being a bit of a 'puppy smother mother' ha ha.
We are actually travelling from 10pm at night, through the night (gluten for punishment aren't we?)so the temperature should be lovely and cool for him!

I probably have covered everything and he will be fine, so I think I will just
sit back and relax about it. I am actually quite excited about it now - knowing
he is going to have miles of fields, and beaches to roam without any worries - heaven :-)

Will let you know how we get on...we go fri 13th - oh no something else to worry about!! :-)
for a week, so will post then!

Louise x

Hi Loiuse, we took our two labs up to Scotland last year from the South East, we left about 4:30am and arrived at our cottage near Inverness about 19:30pm. They had a quick walk before leaving and a very small amount of dry food. We stopped about every2-3 hours and gave them a good walk each time plus water. They travelled really well. We almost forgot they were in the car as they settled down to sleep really well. I must say all the service areas on the motorways were very good with exercise areas for dogs, and of course once we reached Scotland there were wonderful places to stop for exercise. We're looking forward to going back this year. Have a lovely trip.
Lorna

I took my 4 month lab on a 6 1/2 hr drive when we moved, and he slept the entire way, except when I stopped. I brought along his favorite bone -- one that he only gets as a treat -- as a backup, but he never even needed it.