Nothing beats ruffing it
All a dog owner has to do is jiggle her RV keys and Fido is dancing in circles by the front door.
Millions of pets hit the open road each year to enjoy a jump in the lake, a romp at the beach or simply a scenic view from the passenger’s seat.
Depending on where one gathers the numbers, it is said that up to 80 percent of all recreational vehicle owners have at least one pet travel companion.
“The majority of RVers we see, especially the empty nesters,” says Ron Little of RVs Northwest, “have pets that travel with them. The pets seem to be their surrogate kids.”
Walking through the RV dealerships’ two stores, one will see bowls of doggie treats on tabletops and water dishes dotting the showroom floor.
“People bring their pets in with them all the time to shop,” says Little.
Because RVs Northwest is a pet-friendly place, it is partnering with SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. for the third year.
The dealership is donating $2,500 to the Inland Northwest Humane Society, plus $25 for every RV sold during June.
“It has worked really well for us in the past,” says SpokAnimal executive director Gail Mackie. “The last two years, total donations from RVs Northwest ranged between $4,250 and $4,500. So far this year we are on track for a similar amount.”
The money is earmarked for the purchase of the SpokAnimobile, a mobile spay/neuter and educational unit.
Another aspect of the partnership is a special “pet adoption” event today between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., at RVs Northwest, 10006 N. Division St.
“We’ll be bringing several dogs with us,” says Laura Thulean, SpokAnimal outreach coordinator. “This will be only a sampling of the more than 40 dogs we have available for adoption.”
Thulean says she will have pictures of all the other available animals at the shelter.
As for pet adoption fees, they vary between $25 and $125 depending on a variety of circumstances.
There is a little financial encouragement for folks 60 and older. Purina’s Pets for People program provides $50 off the total adoption cost and even pays for spaying or neutering.
“We chose June for our fund raising event with SpokAnimal because it is typically our busiest month,” says Little of RVs Northwest.
‘RVing with Dogs’
RVers aren’t the only ones who pack a supply of pet food for their weekend trips to the mountains.
More than 30 million families take their dogs camping each year, according to Jack and Julee Meltzer, authors of “Camping and RVing with Dogs.”
That is a staggering number. Let us all hope that 30 million families also take boxes of “doggie bags” with them.
Cleaning up after a pet is one of the “Ten Commandments to Camping with Dogs,” write the Meltzers in an article posted on RV Travel.com.
Another suggestion is for campers to call the campgrounds where they plan to stay before leaving home.
“Even if a park claims they’re pet–friendly,” say the fulltimers, “always call ahead to confirm their policy regarding your dogs. We’ve arrived at parks (with our two German Shepherd dogs) after a long day on the road only to discover that ‘pet–friendly’ meant dogs weighing under 20 pounds.”
• The Meltzers’ Web site is www.rvingwithdogs.com.
• View the full “Ten Commandments” on the RV Travel.com at http://rvtravel.com/publish/article_697.shtml.