This is the first of four postings on RVing with Pets.

Millions of our furry four-legged friends love life on the open road and “ruffing” it at RV campgrounds.

According to recreation vehicle industry numbers, about nine million Americans own an RV. Of those, more than half, or roughly 4.8 million, take along at least one pet companion when they hit the highways.

In fact, it is not unusual for RVers to travel with more than one pet. Professional photographer Fran Reisner travels full time in her 2010 35-foot Winnebago Adventurer motor home with two rescue dogs: Jazzy, a 60-pound seven-year-old Labrador mix and Sadie, a six-year-old golden mix, weighing in at 45 pounds.

What “strikes me most about RVing with my dogs,” says Reisner, “is how easily they took to it, and how much they clearly enjoy the journey.”

Reisner also built a portable platform (doubles as a table) that fits over the passenger seat with space enough for “both Sadie and Jazzy to ride eye to eye with the ‘big boys’ out there.  They love it,” she says.

“After leaving a two-acre fenced property where they could run freely, I though it might be a big adjustment for them. Not so. They’re happy to be with me and jump in willingly when I ask them if they’re ready to go for a ride.”

URLs:

Follow Fran’s travel adventures by clicking on:  Journey in Focus
Check out her professional photography at: Fran Reisner Photography

Read more about Fran in a profile written for WomenRVers.blogspot.com by Julianne G. Crane.

Books:
‘The Dogs of Central Park’ (Hardcover, $19.95) 2011. (Order direct from Fran Reisner at Fran@FranReisner.com and a percentage of the purchase price goes to support animal rescue organizations.)
‘The Mountain Dogs of Colorado’ (In process).

Tomorrow ‘RVing with Pets’ part 2 gives tips to consider ‘Before hitting the road.’

Photographs: (Top) Fran Reisner and her pet companions Jazzy (black) and Sadie (mixed). Photo by Julianne Crane. (Bottom) Courtesy of Fran Reisner.

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