Getting ready for a trip to the Netherlands reminded me of something I talk about all the time:
Every dog needs something different.
Same house. Same family. Same big change coming. But Ginger, Thunder, and Wizard all needed completely different plans.
Three dogs, three different plans
Thunder was coming with us to the Netherlands. He had flown overseas before, but this time he would be in the cabin with us, which was new for him.
Wizard was going to a dog sitter because he’s way too high-energy to be home all day while my husband is at work.
And Ginger got to stay home, which is exactly where she’s happiest. She likes her routine, she likes her house, and honestly, she is the easiest of the three when it comes to something like this.
Same trip. Three very different dogs.
And this is exactly why I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all advice.
What works for one dog may be wrong for another
One dog may need more activity, while another needs more quiet. One dog may handle change just fine, while another needs a very careful plan.
This is true for travel, but it’s also true for health, behavior, food, stress, training, and daily life.
It’s easy to think, “Well, this worked for my last dog,” or “This worked for someone else’s dog,” and then feel frustrated when it doesn’t work for the dog in front of you.
But our dogs are individuals.
That’s the kind of thing I want more dog parents to feel confident looking at. Not just, “What should I do?” but “What does my dog actually need?”
Even the dog sitter needs to know YOUR dog
One thing that helped me get ready was writing down all the dog-care details.
That’s why I created my Dog Sitter Checklist & Info Packet, because even when someone knows dogs, they still need to know your dog.
I used it myself for Wizard so I didn’t have to rely on memory or last-minute texts while someone else was caring for him.
And even if you never need a packet like that, I hope this reminds you that your dog’s plan doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
What matters is knowing your dog well enough to support the dog in front of you.
Originally sent to Rescue Dogs 101 subscribers on May 7, 2026. Published online in September 2026.
