Van Life Diaries - Meet My Dog, Noodles the Whoodle
Welcome to van life diaries!
My name is Noah and it’s just, myself and my dog Noodles in my van today.
No edits. No script.
Today we’ll be discussing my dog Noodles!
As well as everything involved with living full-time in a van with a big doggo.
We’ll also take listener questions at the end…
Until then,
I’m going to grab a drink, if you’re in a position to as well do so one and let’s hang out..
When you live in a van traveling with a dog and traveling without a dog are two entirely separate experiences.
One of them provides an almost unlimited amount of freedom - the ability to go wherever, whenever
The other, offers connection and unconditional friendship in a situation where that can be few and far between.
I’ve live both experiences and over and over again I’d pick the later…
As great as it is to have that amount of freedom, my experience with Noodles has been made insurmountably better.
I guess the best place to start would be the beginning -
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Noodles is a weatlen terrier and a poodle - she’s energetic, sometimes overly playful and loves meeting new people. Her name was either going to be Hops or Noodles - her often floppy and showing tongue made the choice for me - She was a noodles.
The first week with noodles was at once both wonderful and scary …
I loved this playful little pup so much but I also had in the back of my head the lifestyle I had in mind for her …
What if she didn’t like the road? What if she gets car sick? How will I make sure she is comfortable and as happy as I can make her?
After slowly introducing her to play dates in the van and small road trips it quickly became apparent that she doesn’t mind the road.
In fact, she seemed to thrive meeting new people, experiencing new things and new places…
This was perhaps most evedent in our trip out to see the Grand Canyon… walking allngthe rim trail she said hi to everyone tail waging all the way.
Their was a moment when we both were sitting, looking peacefully out at the canyon where I thought to myself “we’re both happy”
It’s a moment that will stay with me forever - I was inconsolably relieved.
With that said, I’d like to go over how I make sure she’s comfortable, happy and excited on the road …
Firstly, in what is often peoples first question “how do you maintain a comfortable temperature?”
And to start, I have both LP heating and an AC unit that I run with my generator, so whenever I leave for groceries or another errand I run that
But I never rely entirely on this - if I’m gone for more than I’m comfortable with I’ll take her with me … which I think we both prefer
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I also want to talk about how I drive with Noodles
I made an extendable wooden plank that widens the passenger seat to she can lay entirely down (she’s a big gal after all) theres also space for water and food if she get’s hungry…
Their’s also a cushioned bed that she sits on
And this fast became her favorite spot in the van - she has a full view out every window, food and water and a comfy bed …
Finally, I wanted to talk about exercise and interviews
I’m not going to sugar coat it - sometimes it’s incredibly hard to go for our daily walks, especially when it’s raining or we’re not familiar with the layout of where were at, but by and large - we spend most of our time outside.
Dog parks help with off leash time, and out walks are always nice, but the best times are when we’re remote enough to go off leash and play some fetch …
For interviews, I have bully sticks, puzzles and what are they called snarf matts? Idk, little matts that hide treats to keep her occupied - and she’s usually great!
Although sometimes you can hear clear noodle noises in the background.
All in all, she makes life on the road so much better and I hope I’m giving her everything she deserves …
Alright time for questions :
- Why don’t more people visit the Salem you went to?
- Have you heard of the ergot theory? So interesting?
- What’s your least favorite town you’ve been to?
- What do you use to write?
- What was one thing that surprised you when recording the Salem episode?