BajaNomad

Bad case scenario

Packoderm - 10-29-2008 at 05:21 PM

The scenario is that I'm traveling down Baja by automobile with my 40 lb. dog, and the car breaks down, and I plan to just abandon the car. Is there a way to get home with the dog? Do the buses put them in the cargo bay if the dog is in a crate? I'd hate to have to be expected to give up my dog if such a situation arises. Thanks in advance.

longlegsinlapaz - 10-29-2008 at 05:35 PM

That's not a bad case scenario....that's a nightmare scenario! I'd be looking for an internet cafe to ask for Nomad assistance to come get you....if buying the dog an inside seat ticket didn't work! I think fumes & heat would do him in down in the underbelly!:(:(:( Look for a white stick & turn him into a temporary "seeing eye" dog!:yes::spingrin:

Paulina - 10-29-2008 at 06:16 PM

40 lbs isn't all that bad. I often had the same thought when I traveled with my 240 lb Mastiff...I think the internet cafe/ Nomad to the rescue scene is the ticket.

Hopefully you'll never be faced with this problem, although it is good to plan ahead. I also used to plan as to what to do in case of an accident and always kept leashes in both doors of the truck.

P<*)))>{

Bruce R Leech - 10-29-2008 at 06:21 PM

First I would look for a car that you have more confidence in.


no nomad is going to let you lose your dog.

CaboMagic - 10-29-2008 at 06:31 PM

If we saw a post of yours asking for ayuda e would send $$ to get you and your dog home another way... and there are lots-of nomads to make sure it got to you.

that said hope it doesnt need to be and you have a great trip.

Bruce R Leech - 10-29-2008 at 06:37 PM

the best insurance you can have when traveling Baja Ca. is to be a Nomad. I have never seen someone ask for help and not receive it on this forum. we may fight like cats and dogs but when someones chips are down they will receive more help than they ask for,:saint:

Mango - 10-29-2008 at 06:37 PM

Yeah, getting on a bus would be hard. As others suggested.. fellow Nomads would be your best option.

The only bus that I could imagine that would take you and a dog... would be a true 2nd class bus.. (The first class buses won't stop; except for at their scheduled stops) and on any 2nd class bus you would probably need to offer to buy an extra seat for you dog to even think of having the driver agree. And they may only take you to the next town.

My advice.. would bring lots of extra water and a warm blanket for you and your dog if you are really concerned about breaking down. Wait for a good ride. They are out there. Eventually someone will come by with a pickup truck and you can tie your dog down and/or ride in the back.

In some of the more rural areas.. pickup trucks are "the bus".

Packoderm - 10-29-2008 at 06:44 PM

Thanks for the answers so far. I'm considering every one.

"First I would look for a car that you have more confidence in."

What's the fun in that. Anyway, a vehicle like that would be too big of an investment if I had to abandon it.

This is all coming about because I had a cool vacation planned out where I drive south just after Xmas with my son and my brother, my son and brother fly back on Jan. 10, and I take my time driving back after that. However, I just learned that I have a very important academic examination to take on Jan. 10 and only on that date. Bummer. I have a lead on a motorhome for $300. which I plan to abandon/donate/junk/sell in Cabo, so I can fly back on the 9th. Of course I have to look into flying back with the dog in a crate or whatnot. I am very reluctantly considering leaving my dog at my dad's house, but that would be so sad.

I already know I need to register the motorhome, but that's no big deal. If the motorhome breaks down, we'll just take the bus to Loreto for a stay and then bus it to cabo for short while and then fly home. It would just be part of the adventure. The only caveat is that I'm home by the 9th.

shari - 10-29-2008 at 07:51 PM

Hey amigo....just call us....dont abandon that vehicle.....we will come and rescue you and your family and deal with the vehicle...Super Juan to the rescue!!!
Also there are quite a few nomads heading back around that time so maybe your dog could get a ride and you can take the bus????? Or leave your dog with us, we have so many bloody dogs right now, we wouldn't even notice another one! Look forward to you guys being here at New Years again...more wild and crazy dancing!

Packoderm - 10-29-2008 at 08:01 PM

Here is photo of the Motorhome. It would be cheaper to just buy a ticket home ($235.00) than the gas back home in that thing. And plus it would be great to do a one way drive to Cabo. Has anybody ever left a vehicle behind? Is it illegal to sell or give away a California licensed vehicle in Baja? Should I care if it's illegal?





Heck, I'm hijacking my own thread, and I don't even really know what constitutes hijacking a thread.

.

[Edited on 10/30/2008 by Packoderm]

Packoderm - 10-29-2008 at 08:02 PM

Oh, and thanks so much Shari. I'm looking forward to visiting there again.

BajaGringo - 10-29-2008 at 08:54 PM

You could sell it to somebody who could just park it and use it as a living space and not for transportation. You could easily get a few hundred for it on that basis alone. Construction sites like them for guards living on site...



[Edited on 10-30-2008 by BajaGringo]

Packoderm - 10-29-2008 at 09:12 PM

It would be cool to recomp the cost of the rig. The guy selling is says that it runs and just passed smog.

Packoderm - 11-1-2008 at 10:41 PM

Well, I didn't get the motorhome. It needed a master cylinder, and I didn't want to replace things on a rig of unknown reliability. Instead, I bought a 1986 chevy van for $250. I believe I got a heck of a deal on it. It has been a daily driver for a tulip farmer who used it for shipping his flowers, but he got a brand new van. The registration is current till Apr. and the seller wrote me a letter saying that he would allow me to drive the car into Mexico. It only needs ball joints, and it could actually get by with how it is. I drove it home and it really cruises. Also, I booked my flight back. The dog stays home, but I think that issue is under conversed on this forum. :( Next, I need to make a bed so that we can sleep in the rig and be able to store stuff underneath. I think I can do that with 7 2x4s, two sheets of plywood and a mattress from craigslist. So far so good.

schwlind - 11-2-2008 at 12:23 AM

Hey everyone,
I'm a newbie to this forum, but have found it not only very informative... but I am so happy to see people so willing to just help other people. Never did a formal intro of myself, but will soon under "general". While I've seen some "nasties", for the most part, everyone is helpful. Thank you all!

2-tie-dye-4 - 11-2-2008 at 12:47 AM

Hey hijacker, I'll pick up the dog and the motorhome and take them to Shari's, and all I need in return is....ICE

2-tie-dye-4 - 11-2-2008 at 12:53 AM

Hey Schwlind,
welcome:yes: You pegged it right. It's way cool...but nassssteeeee sometimes. I get scared and hide for weeks sometimes.:no::no:
Hee hee, welcome aboard from a just past newbie.

duke62 - 11-2-2008 at 03:28 AM

I think you are correct not taking the dog this time. I have two mutts, one we rescued on a lonely stretch of Mexico 1, the other was hiding out in the back of San Diego Carburator. They get all alert, and excited, if I simply whisper the word, "Baja." I have had the best times with them on lonely beaches (the pelicans think otherwise), hiking Arroyos, or just having them in the car as adventure companions.

However, for some trips, because of circumstances, I have had to leave them with friends/relatives, even, "Gasp," a kennel, stateside.

I miss them (as you will with your one), but, dogs are amazing in their power of foregiveness and loyalty. You will come back, and, within an hour, your dog will act like you never left. That is why they are called Man/Woman's best friend, and, in my feeble mind's opinion, should be identified as a :saint:

Carry on. Be good.

Jack Swords - 11-2-2008 at 07:27 AM

We make the trip to La Paz each year with our dog. This has always been a concern. We carry a crate for hotels, etc. and may need it for bus/plane/cars. We have been given rides many times by Baja folks to complete a hike, we always give rides when we can. I'm sure we could prevail on passerby to get us to a nearby town where other methods can be sought out. Baja is like that! Then the Nomad folks are all over the peninsula and as others have said, a great resource. And wonderful Shari and Juan, who have helped out so many, are there too. A problem that hopefully never happens, but there are some alternatives. We will keep these in mind as we drive down in 3 weeks.

Baja&Back - 11-2-2008 at 12:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by duke62I miss them (as you will with your one), but, dogs are amazing in their power of foregiveness and loyalty. You will come back, and, within an hour, your dog will act like you never left. That is why they are called Man/Woman's best friend, and, in my feeble mind's opinion, should be identified as a :saint:



Of course, a dog is man's best friend!

Just try putting your dog and your wife in the trunk of the car for an hour. Then open it up & find out who's got a positive attitude !!! :lol:

gnukid - 11-2-2008 at 01:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Packoderm
Well, I didn't get the motorhome. It needed a master cylinder, and I didn't want to replace things on a rig of unknown reliability. Instead, I bought a 1986 chevy van for $250. I believe I got a heck of a deal on it. It has been a daily driver for a tulip farmer who used it for shipping his flowers, but he got a brand new van. The registration is current till Apr. and the seller wrote me a letter saying that he would allow me to drive the car into Mexico. It only needs ball joints, and it could actually get by with how it is. I drove it home and it really cruises. Also, I booked my flight back. The dog stays home, but I think that issue is under conversed on this forum. :( Next, I need to make a bed so that we can sleep in the rig and be able to store stuff underneath. I think I can do that with 7 2x4s, two sheets of plywood and a mattress from craigslist. So far so good.


Hi,
When you build your bed, keep it light weight but certainly level and not something that will bend and make your sleep unpleasant. Of course foam is needed to make it complete and make it level.

Weight makes a difference with all your gear so everything helps to reduce weight to make the ride easier.

Keep it secure otherwise over every single bump (tope) it will fly up and down in a unpleasant manner.

I usually just make the bed and then drill long screws angled into the bed, its easy to remove.

Or you could go fancy, and make two benches, with a table in the center which is removable to lower and make the bed.

sancho - 11-2-2008 at 01:48 PM

Was getting on a bus in the Yucatan after
getting off the Cozumel ferry, in I believe
Playa carmen, was throwing my bag
into the below bus carpartment,
it was a bit after dark, I noticed some
movement in the luggage compartment,
I asked the driver what animal was
in there, laughing at the startled gringo,
he said they were turkeys in nets,
so I suppose a dog 'could' go