Hello! I'm Jen. I'm a writer, photographer, dog mom, and outdoor enthusiast. When I'm not writing about awesome ways to get outside with your dog, I'm probably out for a long trail run. I also fancy myself a pretty decent vegan cook, and am always happy to whip up a batch of cookies for friends. I am based in the Pacific Northwest and I never leave home without my dogs.
Few of us care to admit when we start to notice signs of aging in our senior dogs. I know I denied the inevitability in Sora as she became older (pro tip: blue merle dogs really hide the gray!) However, if your dog is healthy, in good shape, and still has plenty of energy, there is[...]
One of the main reasons we enjoy camping trips so much, aside from our love of sleeping outdoors snuggled in our sleeping bags in the tent, is because they are almost always dog-friendly. Most campgrounds welcome dogs and, unlike hotels, rarely have pet fees. Unless we are camping with a[...]
I never thought much about eye protection for my dogs until we were in a teeny, tiny village on the Chile/Bolivia border preparing to pedal across the Salares de Coipasa and Uyuni. We read about the importance of sun protection for ourselves, given the high altitude (nearly 12,000 feet)[...]
When my parents planned a long layover in Paris en route to their dream trip to Africa, we drove our van to meet them there with the dogs. Since we were so close to the UK, we figured that we may as well continue north before Brexit makes entry to the UK more difficult. We, the pet travel[...]
Bend, Oregon is a favorite year round destination for adventure enthusiasts. A three hour drive from Portland, many head to the Central Oregon vacation spot in search of sun during the rainy winters, delicious craft beer, and all the outdoor activities one could ever want. Thanks to the[...]
I used to live in a small town in the Hudson Valley in New York, where I had trails literally right outside my door. I could head out and go for miles upon miles in pure bliss. The only thing missing was a dog. I suppose that began the start of my transition from road running to trail[...]
If you’re thinking about taking your dogs camping on your latest outdoor adventure, you probably have a ton of questions about what gear to bring, where your dog sleeps, and what to do with their poop and so much more. Adding your four-legged friend to the party certainly requires a bit[...]
Long days on the road mean that you may not always have the opportunity to make sure that your dog gets the physical exercise they need. For dogs with a lot of energy like Laila and Riia, mental stimulation is just as, if not more important, as physical exercise. Brain games prevent[...]
Our preferred method of overnight travel with dogs is camping. Not only is it the most dog-friendly way to explore, but spending the night outdoors creates a wonderful bonding experience between you and your canine companion. Sleeping outside introduces new stimulants for your dog. Before[...]
The timing wasn’t exactly right, but the situation sure was. Dave and I had been talking about adding a second dog to our pack for a couple months. We knew that we wanted another herder and so kept our ears and eyes open for the right dog to come our way. Every couple of weeks or so, one[...]
Sometimes, ok, often, I do this often, I drive myself crazy trying to be the most sustainable version of myself I can. I research for hours and hours about best products. I try to factor in my veganism. Is the vegan version less harmful or the animal version? And now I do the same for the[...]
Most adventure dog parents I know or associate with are fairly savvy when it comes to the principles of leave no trace. For those who have never heard of them, they are seven sets of guidelines created by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics that provide direction to enjoy time[...]
No matter how long we walk our dogs in the parking lot or around the trail head before starting off on a hike, they will inevitably poop just far enough away from the start (and therefore trash can) that it’s exactly too far to pick it up and jog back to toss out. So what do we do? While[...]
Having grown up in Seattle, I always considered it to be quite dog-friendly. However as I had cats, I never knew just how much the Emerald City loved its four-legged friends until I lived there with my own dog as an adult. I was beyond elated to learn that many bars and breweries allowed[...]
This post is sponsored by REI. I have been an REI member most of my life, whether through a family account growing up or with the one Dave and I have now as adults. The majority of the outdoor gear I currently own or have ever owned has come from REI. Their knowledgeable staff, generous[...]
We use the same tent whether we are backpacking, cycle touring, or car camping. And since it’s rare that we do any of these activities without our dogs, we choose tents with a pet-friendly design. Choosing a tent to accommodate your dog is not all that different from buying one for[...]
