Big Dog Travel Blog

5 years ago, I was rescued from an abandoned backyard in Miami.

My parents named me Scarlett Boney Begonias and promised to gift me the life I always dreamed of. I created Big Dog Travel Blog to educate people on the importance of breed awareness, and to share my love of travel and adventures with the world.

I am currently based out of Portland, Oregon, and I have been exploring the Pacific Northwest for a little over a year. Over the past year, me and my parents have journeyed across America on a road trip, explored the Oregon Coast, hiked through the Columbia River Gorge, and voyaged around British Columbia, Canada. I am excited to travel more and show the world the beauty of traveling with your pup.

TPM: What kind of traveler are you?

BDTB: I am a weekend warrior with a love for both budget and luxury travel. I would be happy staying in a remote cabin or a fancy 5-star hotel with dog beds and treats included. However, I absolutely despise camping! The sound of howling wolves, creepy crawly bugs, and sleeping on the ground makes me panic and growl all night. My mom recently attempted to take me glamping, and I stayed up as the watchdog all night.

TPM: Why did you decide to start a travel blog?

BDTB: I decided to start Big Dog Travel Blog to become a breed advocate for discriminated bulldog and pitbull breeds, while showing people the joys of traveling with your best friend. I love to share my travels with other dog owners so they feel the inspiration to take their pup on more adventures.

TPM: I know you were a rescue from Miami and now reside with your new family in Oregon. Can you tell us about your family and first travel adventure after you were saved?

BDTB: My parents are nerdy, passionate adventurers. My dad makes delicious, gourmet ice cream by day, and studies video game design by night. If we’re not on an adventure you can find him experimenting in the kitchen or playing Splatoon 2. My mom is a part-time massage therapist, studies her master’s, and moonlights as my editor for Big Dog Travel Blog. My mom’s long-term dream is to create a dog-friendly hotel chain. When I was just a pup, Mom and Dad took me on my first hiking, road-trip expedition to the Appalachians in Georgia and the Great Smoky National Park in Tennessee. It was woofing awesome!

TPM: I know you love to go on hikes with your mom and dad - where is your favorite place to hike?

BDTB: Currently, my favorite hiking spot is at the Sandy River Delta Park in Troutdale, Oregon. It’s a thousand acre park that doubles as an adventurous dog park! There are miles of off-leash trails to explore, muddy areas to roll around in, and a huge river to play fetch in for hours. Whenever we visit the river, dozens of dogs congregate to play fetch together. I actually cry when mom and dad stop fetching and say it’s time to go home. If I had a choice, we would live at the Sandy River.

TPM: Where in the world is your favorite place to visit? Why?

BDTB: My favorite place to visit is my grandparent’s house. It sounds simple, but they give me loads of treats, and I can get away with whatever shenanigans I want.

TPM: How many countries/states have you visited?

BDTB: I have visited 2 countries (The United States and Canada), and I have been to 10 states including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. I would like to be like my parents and visit all of the states and most of Canada in my lifetime. The only places we actively avoid are cities where pit bulls are banned such as Miami.

TPM: Have you had any scary moments while on your travels?

BDTB: As I mentioned earlier, I have a major fear of sleeping outside. It might be PTSD from being chained up in a backyard when I was a puppy. My scariest moment was the first time we went camping in Tennessee. We were at my grandpa’s house, and he let us camp outside on his property in the woods. I smelled wild animals and heard the pitter patter of tiny animals running (most likely rabbits or coyotes) around the tent while we were trying to fall asleep. I scared mom so much with my growling, she finally ran back up to the house with me and we got to sleep in a cozy bed. Grandpa made fun of us for being scared of rabbits!

TPM: Where is your next travel destination going to be? Why?

BDTB: I would love it if my parents took me on a road trip to California. They are always talking up In & Out burger, and I would like to try a patty to see what the hype is all about.

TPM: How has travel changed you?

BDTB: Travel has made me appreciate the endless trails and smells this world has to offer. I feel stronger, healthier, and happier after every adventure we take.

TPM: What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about traveling with their pup and wanting to start their own dog blog?

BDTB: I would tell them to just get out there, be brave, and start going on adventures. Explore local parks, find hiking trails nearby, and look for dog-friendly destinations that people aren’t aware of. The friends you meet, the experiences you create, and the stories you keep will be priceless memories you will adore for life.