Truck Driving Jobs

neophyte · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 12

I was aware that a handful of oddball truckdrivers take their pets (mostly dogs) with them. But I was astonished to learn how common this is and even saw one truck drive through the truck stop parking lot with some cats sitting in the window. I am not in anyway aversed to this practice mind you, in fact it's nice to know I have that option if in the future I were ever to get another dog. Currently though I have an old cat that acts very strange when I leave for extended periods of time. I would love to take her with me but I fear that she is just a sweet old house cat and not a rough truck driving kitty. I know theres a poll here somewhere I just have to phrase it right.

Liberty_Girl · Joined: 21 Oct 2005 Posts: 2

Well this one trucker I know took his pet albino buramese python on the road with him. And since the snake only eats one rat every few weeks, he doesn't have to worry a lot about food.

BanditsCousin · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Posts: 3294 Location: Chicago, IL

A pets forum might be appropriate here due the large quantities of posts I see about pets, or pet concerns. I am a little confused about what the poll is asking, but I'd vote "yes" for a Pets/Traveling Companion (NOT teammate) forum. I know I'd visit it, and post periodically.

CharismaticEvil · Joined: 11 Sep 2006 Posts: 39 Location: 1 of 48 States

I am all for allowing pets onboard OTR trucks. We have to live in that truck, and it's often a lonely road. I'm only speaking for myself here, but I'd rather have a warm, friendly, familiar, loving companion who won't whine, bit*h, moan and complain around, as opposed to say... a lot lizard in the case of male drivers. It's safer to have a pet than a person, in the case of a dog, ALL their expenses can be written off on your taxes as a security measure for having alerted you to potential dangers, and who knows? They might save your life some day if somebody is dumb enough to attempt a break in. Personally I have a cat on my rig, a purebred pedigreed Sphynx, whom I will be showing on a national level very soon. He's the coolest little kitty ever, completely hairless! That's right, I said butt naked bald #%$$#! Ever seen Austin Powers? Remember Dr. Evil's kitty? They didn't shave him! That is a breed of cat! My little guy is an intact male, and I intend to breed him if he wins consistantly in the show ring. I believe that Sphynx are an ideal trucker's pet because of their temperament, size, and blessed lack of shedding. Easy to care for, very smart and affectionate, and you know what the best part is? I don't have to stop to let "Streaker" go potty. I scoop the littler when I empty my trash daily.

jayburd · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 391 Location: Wortham,Texas

:D
I agree CE.........I'd rather have my dog with me than a stranger.
I plan on taking Taz with me anyway.
Like me,he's an old fart and we get along better than me and the wife do. :lol: :lol:

Thanks for the tax tip!

mapleleaf_1 · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 379 Location: Wisconsin

Neophyte I have 3 purebred Siberian Huskies. When I'm on the road I usually take one of them with me. They're great company and they love to travel. My only concern is when I'm driving for a long period of time there isn't much room for them to move around. Either on the bunk, on the floor or in the jump seat, that's their only option. When I finally stop I take them for a good walk or run. That gets the kinks out of them as well as myself. LOL Drive safe everyone. :)

Sheepdancer · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 1353

If you ask most vets about taking a dog on the road with you, he would honestly tell you its cruel.
I little known piece of information about dogs in cars that not many people realize. Do you know why dogs like riding with their head out the window? Its not because they want to smell the outside. They do it because the smell in the inside of the car is driving them crazy.
However, Im not some animal rights activist. Even though most vets would tell you that its cruel. It your dog, you are free to do with it what you want.

GoldiesPlating · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 1173 Location: New York City USA

I agree with Sheepdancer. When I first started driving a year ago, I too wanted to take my dog with me. In fact, I almost declined working for TMC because of their no pet policy. I have since changed my mind. After doing a bit of research and experiencing life on the road, it IS cruel to take your dog along with you. I KNOW that most dogs will JUMP at the opportunity to go along for a ride. So too would a three year old human child jump at the chance to go running off a cliff if their parent did. They simply don't KNOW any better and only want to be close to their master. They don't necessarily LIKE the truck, they like the company of their human friend.
However there are three major problems I see with this now:
1- The inside of vehicles STINK to the sensitive nose of an animal. The vinyl and leather intiors of vehicles release nauseating fumes most humans learn to ignore. Not to mention the lack of stimulation and exercise afforded by being cooped up inside a truck.
2- Being an ANIMAL, and of free will. There WILL be one time when your pet will interfere with your ability to safely operate your vehicle or distract you (even if only for a split second) when it may cost you your life. Those of you who will respond, "I've had a dog in my rig for 20 years and NEVER had a problem." DO have a problem and don't even know it. You've only been LUCKY so far, NOT a skilled pet owner with a "miracle" pet.
3- A few shippers forbid pets on their premises even if they stay inside the truck for good reason. It's DANGEROUS.

Now befor the hate mail or flames start rolling in allow me to state that I already KNOW that there are those of you out there who STRONGLY disagree with my OPINION. But remember it is only that, MY OPINION. Leave your pet home where he/she can enjoy a life of freedom (hopefully) with room to run and be what they are, an animal.

kips41 · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 213 Location: Orange, TX

This is funny......ok for a human to live in a truck, but not a dog, because of the material that the interior of the truck is made of stinks.

And it is dangerous !!! So is talking on the cell, using the qualcomm and reading a map.

Some of you guys over analyze and take this trucking stuff way to serious. Put your favorite little buddy on the truck and have fun watching the dog run and play in the snow, slide on the ice and fetch his favorite toy in the big fresh mowed lawn at the shipper and at night you can laugh when he hikes his legs and pisses all over the polished wheel of that TMC truck !!!!

Not only is it good to get the dog out for some exercise, you will get your big fat buffet eating butt out of the truck too and you will have someone to talk too that will never tell you he is not wearing his panties. !!!!!

GTR SILVER · Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 483 Location: new jersey

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

coastie · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 418 Location: Elberton, Ga

A Pet is a Great Stress releiver. Many pets such as Dogs loves to travel, yet some do not. Most cats do not but some do.

There wil always be those who will say it cruel.

I took my little buddy out with me, and made the mistake of leaving him at my parents on my way through towwn. When I left he was napping, but when I returned the next day, he had climb the fence and went out looking for me, not seen him since.

inmate1577 · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 718

As a company driver I'm glad they dont allow pets. Personally when I'm issued a new truck (or newer) I prefer not to have to spend an extra 2 hours cleaning pet hair and other assorted pet related goodies out of the tractor left behind by some driver who insists that they cant live a day without their filthy hairball.
I wouldnt take a pet with me because I dont want to be hassled with feeding or taking car of a pet on the road. I dont live in the truck, I sleep in it and thats it. I live at home and home is where my pets live and they are alot happier there.
Wanna take a pet on the road? Buy an RV. :wink:

Sheepdancer · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 1353

Quote: Put your favorite little buddy on the truck and have fun watching the dog run and play in the snow, slide on the ice and fetch his favorite toy in the big fresh mowed lawn at the shipper and at night you can laugh when he hikes his legs and pisses all over the polished wheel of that TMC truck !!!!

We used to allow pets over here and drivers always ask me why we dont allow them anymore. The reason is exactly this. Too many customers complained about drivers allowing their dogs to do their business on those lawns at the shippers and recievers. Our drivers were warned about it many times. They didnt stop it and BAMMO....no more pets ever. So when drivers complain to me about us not allowing pets, I simply say, dont blame us, blame your fellow drivers. Because they were the one who caused that policy to be in place.

GoldiesPlating · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 1173 Location: New York City USA

kips41 wrote: This is funny......ok for a human to live in a truck, but not a dog, because of the material that the interior of the truck is made of stinks. Living in the truck is your CHOICE. Your pet isn't given a choice nor does it have the reasoning ability to make one if it could. The vinyl not only stinks, it is poisonous. You ever notice a film on the interior windows of a vehicle that has been closed up for a long period of time? THAT is the toxic residue of the chemicals used in vinyl production that have evaporated settled on the glass. That is why older vinyl cracks and peels. The chemicals that keep it soft and pliable leech out over time.

Quote: And it is dangerous !!! So is talking on the cell, using the qualcomm and reading a map.
But a phone, map and Qualcomm RARELY if ever, have been known to jump up on your lap while you were driving and not READY to have them do so. They also never piss on your bed or start chewing on your electrical wires or crawl under your feet preventing you from stopping or distracting your attention from the road ahead. :wink:

Quote: Some of you guys over analyze and take this trucking stuff way to serious. Put your favorite little buddy on the truck and have fun watching the dog run and play in the snow, slide on the ice and fetch his favorite toy in the big fresh mowed lawn at the shipper and at night you can laugh when he hikes his legs and pisses all over the polished wheel of that TMC truck !!!!
Childish but funny. Also don't forget to enjoy the feeling of me kicking your a$$ when I catch your dog peeing on my truck.

Quote: Not only is it good to get the dog out for some exercise, you will get your big fat buffet eating butt out of the truck too and you will have someone to talk too that will never tell you he is not wearing his panties. !!!!!
I'm not fat and get PLENTY of exercise flat-bedding. And how do you KNOW my dog isn't wearing any panties? :P

Doghouse · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 963

I would be to worried about my pet getting lost in an area that they would be unfamiliar with,...but then again, my pets are poorly behaved.
An actual pet that behaves is probably not a problem.

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