Food
At the beginning of our journey, we had no idea how we would find BARF food. Although there are countless pet stores in both Canada and the United States, not all of them carry raw food. Over time, we discovered where to find it. However, every state has different suppliers, so we constantly have to look for new sources as we travel. If we can't find a pet store that sells BARF, Walmart is always a good backup. They sell large rolls of dog food that can easily be fed as a substitute. The texture is similar to bologna sausage and the ingredients include chicken, beef, pork, and a small amount of vegetables. Yes, BARF made with pork is actually available here. At first, I was a little skeptical, but after doing some research, I learned that there is no risk of Aujeszky's disease because the pork is subject to strict health regulations and controls.
Our dogs are happy, healthy, and eat well—as they always have.
When crossing the border from Canada into the United States, we had to give up all of our BARF food from the freezer, as raw meat is not allowed to be brought into the U.S. Instead of throwing it away, we donated it to a local veterinary clinic, where it was gratefully accepted. We declared our emergency supply of dry dog food at the border, and that was allowed into the United States without any issues.
Walking the Dogs
Travel Days On travel days, when we're covering longer distances, we take the dogs for a walk before we set off. Along the way, we often stop to let them stretch their legs. In the United States, however, rest areas are surprisingly rare, so we usually leave the highway for a few minutes and pull over near a quiet field or another suitable spot. Remarkably, our dogs seem to understand exactly what's important on these days. They quickly take care of their business, don't wander far, and return to the truck as soon as they're finished. Only occasionally do we come across other dogs. In those situations, Tila and Roxanne stay on their leashes.
On campgrounds such as those in the National Forests, each campsite usually offers plenty of space and privacy, much like wild camping. In these places, we can simply let our dogs roam freely, as they normally stay close to us and don't run off.
The only exception is when there are animals nearby, such as sheep or other livestock. In those situations, Roxanne has to stay on her leash. As a Borzoi, she still has a strong hunting instinct and might decide to chase them. Although she has become much calmer over the years, I still can't trust her completely in those situations.
Campsites: clearly, they are for the dogs. I have to keep them on a leash, and they only do their business once we are outside the campsite or in an area that is not used for camping, such as a meadow or a patch of woodland. We found areas like this at most campsites. If they ever poop on mown grass or on a path, it has to be picked up with a bag.
Hiking and Walks / Exploring Nature
Hiking in Bear Country Hiking in bear country is one of the highlights of our journey. Equipped with bear spray, we can safely explore some of the most beautiful trails in North America. Our two dogs behave very differently on these hikes. Tila naturally walks ahead but always stays close to us, so we can confidently let her off leash. Roxanne, on the other hand, is a hunter by nature. If she spots a deer or a rabbit, she may be tempted to chase it. That's why I decide whether she can walk off leash based on how focused she is on her surroundings. If she's calm and attentive to us, she can enjoy the hike without a leash. If not, she stays leashed for everyone's safety.
Mountain Hiking Mountain hikes are a special challenge for all four of us. The dogs have to navigate steep, rocky terrain, while we need to stay sure-footed and fully focused on every step. In this kind of terrain, there is usually no need—and it often wouldn't be practical—to keep the dogs on a leash. They move confidently over rocks and narrow trails and are often much more agile than we are. As always, we judge each situation individually. If the conditions are safe and there is no risk to wildlife or other hikers, our dogs are free to enjoy the trail alongside us.
Going for a Walk The very first walk after arriving at a new campsite is especially important for our dogs. Before they can truly relax, they want to explore their new surroundings. They investigate every scent, discover who has been there before them, and get a feel for the area. This first "inspection walk" helps them settle in and understand where they are. Only after this little exploration do they seem completely at ease in their new home—whether it's for just one night or several days.
Sleeping and Relaxing
Tila: she spends most of her time curled up in the seating area with us. That's her favorite place to relax and keep us company. At night, she sleeps beneath our bed, where she has her own cozy and secure spot. During the day, she also likes to lie in the passageway to the driver's cab, always close enough to know what's going on. Whenever the weather is nice, you'll usually find her outside on a blanket, in the grass, or stretched out on warm sand, quietly enjoying the sunshine. She has a wonderful ability to settle in wherever we are and truly makes herself at home.
Roxanne Every time we arrive at a new campsite, one of our first routines is preparing Roxanne's sleeping area in the driver's cab. We rearrange the seats and create a comfortable bed just for her. That's where she sleeps every night, and it's also where she often relaxes during the day. Her bed consists of two custom-made cushions: an extra-thick mattress that fits perfectly into the passageway between the living area and the cab, and a thinner cushion with a durable faux leather cover that we place across the seats at night. Together, they create a spacious and very comfortable resting place. Unlike Tila, Roxanne rarely chooses to lie outside. Flies and other insects are something she simply can't tolerate. As soon as they start bothering her, she heads straight back into the camper, where she can relax in peace.
While we're driving, all of the cushions are stacked between the seats, creating a large, comfortable resting area in the middle of the cab where both dogs travel together.
At the beginning of a journey, they're usually alert and curious, watching the scenery pass by through the windows. Once we're on the highway and the drive becomes steady and uneventful, they settle down, curl up on their cushions, and spend most of the trip sleeping peacefully.
Health
Fortunately, neither of our dogs has experienced any serious health problems so far. The only exception occurred during our trip through Turkey. After Roxanne was bitten by a stray dog, the wound became infected, and we had to visit a veterinarian on three consecutive days for antibiotic injections. Thankfully, she recovered quickly, and everything turned out well. Since that incident, we no longer allow our dogs to have contact with unfamiliar dogs. Roxanne is very people-oriented, and Tila seems to be all the canine companionship she needs. We've learned that avoiding unnecessary encounters with unknown dogs is the safest choice for everyone.
Clothing and Blankets
For the colder months, we carry warm felt coats for both dogs, as well as lightweight rain capes. Tila, in particular, is quite sensitive to cold and wet weather, so she appreciates the extra protection. And, to be honest, having two soaking wet dogs inside the camper isn't much fun either. The rain capes help keep them dry during walks in bad weather, making it much easier for everyone to stay comfortable once we're back inside.
Blankets We travel with three simple fleece blankets, each measuring approximately **2 × 1.8 meters (6.5 × 6 feet)**. They're lightweight, easy to fold, and don't take up much storage space. We often fold them several times and spread them over the seating areas to protect the upholstery from dirt, dog hair, and wear. They also make comfortable resting places for the dogs, both inside the camper and outdoors. Another advantage is that they're easy to wash and dry in the laundry facilities at campgrounds, so keeping them clean while traveling is simple.
Social Behaviour and Travelling in the Car
Strange dogs: encounters with other dogs produce very contradictory behaviour. Tila loudly signals distress and discomfort, yet when she meets a dog off leash, everything is fine and sometimes they can even play. Roxanne, on the other hand, always wants to protect Tila, which is unnecessary, so I have to keep my distance with her. She finds the situation uncomfortable and wants to leave.
Flying with Dogs
We enthusiastically prepared everything for flying our dogs to Canada. Staying positive, we built custom travel crates ourselves according to the IATA requirements we had obtained from Condor and began crate training well before departure. Finding a suitable crate for Roxanne wasn't possible. Because of her height, her head was about 5 cm (2 inches) taller than the maximum height allowed by the aircraft cargo door. We decided to take the risk. If she wasn't accepted on our flight, the alternative would have been transporting her through a specialized animal shipping company. That wasn't an attractive option. These companies only flew into Toronto, while our Unimog was waiting for us in the port of Halifax. That's why we booked our flight with Condor directly to Halifax and hoped for the best. Fortunately, everything went smoothly. Nobody was concerned about those missing five centimeters, and all four of us were able to travel together. The most difficult part came after landing in Toronto. The airport was extremely busy, and it took several hours before we were finally reunited with our dogs. They were understandably stressed. The blankets inside their crates had shifted during the flight, and it seemed they hadn't received any water. Both dogs had also soiled their crates a little during the long journey. But the moment they were out of their crates, outside the terminal building, and safely in our rental car on the way to our first accommodation, they relaxed almost immediately. For them, only one thing really mattered: being back with us again—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.