Truckin’ Dog. The Joys of Having a Dog on the Road: A Trucker’s Perspective

written by our truck driver, Melissa R.

Anyone who has been around truckers and the transportation industry knows just how lonely the open road can be for the driver. Driving a big rig is a solo or two-person adventure.

 

The open road is lonely: bring a furry friend

Companionship is hard to come by. That’s why many drivers opt to have a canine companion with them. Or feline. Or avian. Or even other more exotic critters, like iguanas and bearded dragons!

Alas, those other pet options are a topic for another conversation. Today, we’re talking about Man’s Best Friend- the dog!

My Four-Legged Co-Pilot: The Importance of Companionship on the Open Road

I had a dog with me, over the road, for about two years. I loved it!

She was my best friend!
She was my protector!
She was a “land shark” as one DOT officer called her!

When I adopted Molly, she was already about one and a half.

And she was perfect in every way! House broke and loved riding in the truck, which was our home for 3-4 weeks at a time.

Well-mannered on a leash, so much so, she didn’t need a leash most of the time! She LOVED meeting new people, on her terms!

She loved to run at the dog parks.

Molly was also fiercely loyal and protective! She would sit in the passenger seat and watch other drivers walk by.

If one decided he wanted to get too close to us, and I hadn’t invited him, she let him know that was NOT ok!

At night, when we parked, I always parked near a grassy area. I would let her out, and as long as there weren’t other people and their dogs around, she was off her leash.

She would play and run to stretch her legs, but she never wandered far.

Molly and Melissas’ son

The Challenges of Caring for a Pet on the Road

So, what does it take to travel with your dog on the truck full-time?

When I first started traveling with my pets, I didn’t think much beyond the companionship and the daily chores of caring for my fur baby.

I never thought about what would happen if my dog got sick or injured on the road, and we were away from our vet.

I never thought about the repercussions of what would happen if she (heaven forbid) attacked another person out on the road. We rarely had to stay in a hotel, and every service center I went to was pet friendly.

I think many truckers are the same way.

However, in reality, we should always have contingencies.

We should know and have written down “doggy safety plans”.

Much like they use to teach us in elementary school, to draw an escape plan in case of fire.

Keeping Your Pet’s Information Handy:

I already mentioned some things we should think about, but here are some deeper thoughts for you. Keep your dog’s vet information, rabies, county tag, and microchip information written down and available in your truck. We all have to carry cab cards, insurance, and IFTA information anyway so keep it with all of your other important truck paperwork.

Identification Options for Your Pet on the Road: Microchips and Digital Dog Tags

Consider a digital dog tag, like the SmartTag® from www.idtag.com. Make sure you register the tag, and microchip (if you have your pet chipped).

Sure, there’s usually a small annual fee, but that’s chump change for the peace of mind you have knowing your pet could be recovered quickly if he’s ever lost on the road.

Emergency Situations on the Road

Know your vet’s phone number, saved in your phone.

Veterinaryemergencygroup.com has emergency vets all over the country, that you may be able to access in case your fur baby needs immediate medical attention.

Pet First Aid Apps: A Valuable Resource for Traveling with a Dog

Downloading the Pet First Aid app by the American Red Cross will also help you triage your pet, so you’ll know if something is a true emergency or if you can get phone support until you can get home to your normal vet.

Pet Insurance and Credit Options for Emergencies on the Road

Something else to consider is pet insurance or a line of credit, like Care Credit®.

If you need to use an emergency vet, depending on your location, it can be costly just to get in the door! The task of finding the right pet insurance can be daunting, to say the least! Most are “reimbursement” plans. You pay the vet, submit your claim, and the insurance company will pay you back, eventually.

There are a few on the market that do offer direct pay, however. For example, trupanion.com says, “We offer 90% coverage of eligible conditions*, no payout limits, vet direct pay and one simple plan that always provides the best coverage, because we know it will help your pet when it matters most.”

Now, I just ran a quick quote for my four-year-old spayed chihuahua, Peanut. The quote was less than $80 a month with a $200 deductible. That’s less than my medical insurance deductions from work!

Again, not too shabby for peace of mind out on the road! Keep in mind a couple of things though, Trupanion is for emergency and unexpected events, they do not cover wellness visits or exam fees. The quotes are also based on the dog’s breed and age, but the policy rate doesn’t change once you’ve set it.

Boring Stuff Out of the Way

I just covered all the boring stuff, insurance, vets, paperwork, ugh, I know, so tedious! But, like eating the vegetable you don’t like first, I got it done and out of the way. What’s next?

Finding Dog Parks and Pet-Friendly Rest Areas for Truckers

Where do you bathe your dog? Or where are the dog parks that you can get your truck to?

Thankfully, most Loves Truck Stops have small dog parks now.

And, I’ve noticed in my travels, that other chain truck stops have followed their lead. Took them long enough, am I right? One of my favorite dog parks is in Kingdom City, MO. Off exit 178 on I-70 between the McDonald’s and Dairy Queen (ice cream anyone) is the Fast Lane Pup Park. It’s not all that big, but it’s clean and super easy for truckers to get to.

There’s parking behind the McDonald’s, Phillip’s 66 Truck Stop, and the Petro across the street. Be sure to check out Ozarkland while you’re there! One of my favorite souvenir stores on the road!

So, what about dog baths? Some truck stop attendants will let you take your dog in with you when YOU shower. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Just be polite! The worse they can say is no or give you a nearby alternative. The Dodge City Petro in Dodge City, AL has a dog wash station! It’s also a large truck stop, so parking should never be an issue!

Other drivers have mentioned using Petco or PetSmart. Both are usually in large shopping plazas, and you can book your pet online! Just make sure your fur baby is up to date on his rabies vaccines, they will request proof of vaccination.

The advantage of using their services? You can buy your doggy treats, toys, food, or maybe a new bed (so he’ll stop stealing yours) all in one place! Ha, just kidding, you’re never getting your whole bunk to yourself ever again!

Looking for a Shift in your Trucker career?, check and keep yourself updated with the positions we have available in your area:

Why Every Trucker Needs a Four-Legged Co-Pilot: The Importance of Companionship on the Road

Now that you and your doggo are all spruced up, exercised, and protected, it’s time to hit that open road and get back to doing what you love. One of my favorite parts of trucking was the scenery, especially out West or in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Molly would often ride up front and watch the road right beside me.

Then, go and curl up in the bunk when she got tired. But my absolute favorite part of truckin’ with my dog? The cuddles when we bunked down for the night.

She kept me warm, safe, protected, and most importantly, loved. Our job is lonely.

Our dogs’ job is to make sure we know we’re loved.

If you’ve been thinking about a dog companion, do it. Visit your local shelter and find your next best friend to take out on the road!

 

Meet Melissa, a trucker with ten years of experience over the road.  She’s a third-generation trucker on her mama’s side, and both parents were truckers.  She also advocates for animal rescues, spay and neuter, and TNR.  Currently at home and attending school to become a veterinarian technician, her life goal is to work with rescues and start a mobile spay/neuter clinic for low-income families.