Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Pics of the Van and Puppy

Today is a gorgeous day. sitting at work on my break. Hoping everyone gets some sun today. we are heading for the beach and park when i get off.
Puppy and van. So this morning i got ready for work and i let the puppy outside to do her business and she heads for the van. She is now 10 weeks old and almost potty trained but what amazes of is there has not been one accident in the van so i wonder he she sees it like a giant kennel. She is a handful but oh so fun.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Van Modifications & Plans

So the mods on the van began. The van was originally a work van anyways so its only a 2 seater which worked out great. I need to replace the carpet and ceiling cover yet but for now it works great. I have added a bed roll and storage bin (large) for linens. The bed roll is permanently down on the passenger side and runs from the back of the passenger seat to close to the tailgate. Plans are to build a bed platform for the bed roll so the totes can go underneath and a hatch length shelf for the office and pets. (more below on that).

Function: place to crash in case of winter emergency with plenty of blankets, a siesta or camping. Plus the dog loves to lay on it while we are driving. The cats take over the pillows.

Then there is the mini kitchen with propane stove, water for cooking drinking and 5 gallon bucket for dishes which is also good for storage of dishes once clean. I don't cook inside the van at this point so its also got a bin. I usually eat at work, family and campgrounds. I also have a cooler with things like bread and the like for the times when I don't feel like cooking which is most often. Planning to add a 12V crockpot, norcold 3 way refrigerator and coffeemaker. I use the single serve coffee packets when needed.

A bin for van gear like spare window washing fluid, oil, battery jumper cables ect. This is self explanatory particularly for someone like me who is not mechanically inclined.

Add 2 duffles, one for clean clothes and one for dirty. I pack light as I am a minimalist (not extreme) and prefer light weight non wrinkle clothes. My job is hard on clothes so I wash and wear until they are no longer serviceable, then replace. Walmart, Goodwill and garage sales work well for this. This method has worked since high school. Plans are to add a closet bar and a shoe hanger.

Then there is the office, entertainment, work related items. I have a portable office organizer on the back of the passenger seat for portable DVD player or laptop (which I will be getting soon). Then a few plastic tiny totes with envelopes, markers, pens, crafts (I love to latchhook and do puzzles) for those days when outside isn't working out so well. There are also several paperbacks in my purse and stashed throughout.

Then the toilet that fits in the back corner which is a 5 gallon bucket (love those). Planning to get a Thetford toilet and a curtain to go around. I have a backpack that holds spare toiletries like body spray, shampoo, conditioner, body wash ect thats in the linens tote. In an emergency, the dish washing bucket, a cup and some boiled water can do a scrub up and hair wash. Not my favorite, but not a bad experience. I prefer a shower but sometimes one isn't available.

And finally, the pets. They have a mini scratcher from wal mart for the cats, a litter pan in the front passenger seat foot area, and food and water dishes behind teh drivers seat on the linens bin. I use the no tip dishes (thanks twokniveskate to your blog, they are a miracle). The puppy (Tippy) has food and water near the back hatch where she is tethered during driving (she sleeps). There is a 3 bin drawer (the roller kind with wheels off) in the back end for the puppies food and supplies. The ex pen and kennel go in the passenger seat pushed back. Plans are to build a back hatch shelf with trays that pull either in or out to put the kennel and ex pen in and then put the cats supplies and their litter box below. Maybe put the propane stove in the shelf that can be taken out and then add a keyboard tray to dual the counter space for a desk setup.

And finally planning to add a Honda EU 2000 generator, Fantastic fan, vent and 2 AGM batteries. I have LED lights now, push button lights and LED flashlights as well as emergency crank lighting and radio.

And so there is the van conversion so far. Its an evolving project which involves money and that's slow going. Its not fancy but its functional. My homebase is also functional and mostly play space for the pets, has a shower and laundry and extra storage. Probably could do for an apartment but I have issues with non refundable pet deposits and parting with my washer and dryer. When I part with my laundry and shower, its full timing for sure but for now, the local nomad is working out. Once the puppy is a little bit older, plans are to go on a road trip to TX, AZ and CO. I have taken trips in the past year to NY, NJ, Ontario, Can.,PA, southern OH and I see MI and OH every day.

For anyone visiting this region, Cabelas in Dundee,MI is a great place to visit, has awesome shops, and is great camping. Spent 5 hours in Cabelas last weekend. Monroe, MI is also a nice place with strip malls and Toledo, OH has some very nice museums and science centers that are free with low cost parking (3.00 most of the time) tons of parks, Maumee Bay and finally Luna Pier in MI.

My situation and solution, what's yours'?

I work full time, drive an insane 26 miles + to work, take the puppy to daycare another 20 minutes out of the way aka dads and attempt to keep 3 felines happy. Two of the cats grew up traveling, the third tolerates it and the puppy sees the van as her second home.

The background: It started out with 3 cats, the normal house, job and occasional trip for work, camping, visiting family and so on. Then gas prices went up, the car (before I got the van) died, and I still needed to get to work. I spent 3 days at dads and had a pet sitter for the cats. This was expensive. So I bought a van. Its older but runs, is easy to work on and gets me to work. I suffer a bit in mpg but the space is worth it and the cats have room. Then a few months later I went to visit my brother and adopted a puppy. She stays with family during the day and so came the need to haul her ex pen, kennel and belongings plus her. I have no plans to drive a car any time soon.

Mods are next post...

How to travel with cats and a dog in a mini van

Do you work and take your dog to day care day after day? Do you travel long distances to work? Do you have cats and feel you can't spend enough time with them? And...How many cats and dogs have had to find a new home or go to a shelter due to their owners moving, traveling, or perhaps to much to handle?

There are solutions to these scenarios and together we can explore some options and share a few cute pics along the way! You don't have to be a millionaire to have a pet or 2, but you do have to be creative and be willing to compromise to make it work. Together, we can create solutions where all things are possible.