I had to move from Austin to Portland for work. Biscuit had to come with me. There was no question about it — she is my dog, she goes where I go. But Biscuit is 9, which makes her about 61 in human years. And 61-year-old dogs do not handle 1,200-mile road trips the way 3-year-old dogs do.
I planned the trip like a military operation. Rest stops every 2 hours. Hotels that accept dogs. A cooler full of her food. Her orthopedic bed in the back seat. Medication for car sickness. I thought I had covered everything.
I had not covered everything.
Day One: The Departure
Biscuit loves car rides. Or she used to. She would stick her head out the window and let her ears flap in the wind like a cartoon dog. But at 9, she does not stick her head out the window anymore. She sits in her bed, looks out the window with a resigned expression, and occasionally sighs.
The first 4 hours were fine. She slept. I listened to podcasts. We stopped every 2 hours like planned. She peed. She drank water. She got back in the car without complaint. I thought: this is going great.
Hour 5: Biscuit started panting. Not excited panting. Stressed panting. She could not settle. She kept changing positions. She whined quietly. I checked the temperature — 72 degrees. Not hot. I checked her paws — fine. I offered water — she drank but kept panting.
I pulled over at the next rest stop and let her walk around for 20 minutes. The panting stopped. She was fine. We got back in the car and the panting started again. She was not hot. She was not sick. She was anxious. And I had not planned for anxiety.
The Anxiety Factor
Senior dogs are more prone to travel anxiety than young dogs. Their routines are disrupted. Their familiar environment is gone. The car becomes a source of stress instead of excitement. And anxiety in a confined space manifests as panting, restlessness, and whining.
I had brought Biscuit's bed, her favorite toy, and a blanket that smelled like home. But I had not brought anything for anxiety. No calming supplements. No pheromone spray. No plan for what to do if she panicked.
At the hotel that night, I called a vet in the nearest town and explained the situation. She recommended a small dose of trazodone for the remaining travel days. I picked it up the next morning. It helped. Biscuit slept through most of day 2. But I wish I had planned for anxiety from the start instead of reacting to it.
The Physical Challenges
Senior dogs have physical needs that young dogs do not. Biscuit needed help getting in and out of the car — her hips were stiff after sitting for 2 hours. She needed more frequent bathroom breaks — her bladder control was not what it used to be. She needed softer surfaces — the hotel floors were hard on her joints.
I brought a ramp for the car, which was essential. Without it, I would have been lifting a 25-pound Beagle in and out of an SUV multiple times a day. My back thanked me. Biscuit thanked me by not hesitating at the car door.
I also brought her orthopedic bed from home. Hotels have dog beds sometimes, but they are thin and unsupportive. Biscuit's bed is thick, memory-foam, and smells like her. She slept better because of it.
The Food and Water Situation
I packed Biscuit's regular food in pre-measured bags — one per meal, labeled with the date. This prevented me from guessing portions while tired and stressed. I also brought bottled water from home because sudden water changes can cause stomach upset.
What I did not bring: enough treats for rest stops. Biscuit is motivated by food, and a small treat at each stop made the car re-entry easier. I ran out of treats on day 2 and had to buy gas station dog treats, which she ate but looked at me like I had betrayed her standards.
The Hotel Reality
Not all "pet-friendly" hotels are senior-dog-friendly. Some have slippery tile floors. Some have stairs instead of elevators. Some charge $50 per night for pets and give you a room next to the ice machine.
I learned to ask specific questions when booking: "Is the room on the ground floor?" "Are the floors carpeted or hard?" "Is there an elevator?" "How far is the nearest grassy area?" These questions matter when your dog has stiff joints and a small bladder.
What I Would Do Differently
If I had to do this again — and I hope I never do — here is what I would change:
- Talk to the vet about anxiety medication before the trip, not during
- Bring twice as many treats as I think I need
- Book ground-floor rooms exclusively
- Plan shorter driving days — 6 hours max instead of 10
- Bring a portable water bowl for rest stops (I forgot one and had to use a coffee cup)
- Pack a first-aid kit with Benadryl, gauze, and styptic powder
The Arrival
We made it. Biscuit walked into our new apartment, sniffed every corner, and immediately fell asleep on the carpet. She was exhausted. I was exhausted. But we were together. And that was the whole point.
Senior dogs can travel. They just need more support. More planning. More patience. And more treats. Always more treats.
Biscuit is currently asleep on the Portland carpet. She has claimed the sunny spot by the window. She seems happy. She seems home. And I am never driving 1,200 miles with her again. Next time we are flying. Or I am hiring a pet transport service. Or I am staying in Austin forever. One of those.
