We Rehomed Our Dog Before Traveling Full-Time

The dream is slow-traveling the world. The plan, for us, meant rehoming our pets — and that was the single hardest part of the whole decision. If you're planning to travel full-time or move abroad and you have pets, you already know how heavy this choice is, and how quick people are to assume the worst about anyone who makes it. So I wanted to talk about it honestly: why we chose to rehome our dog and cats instead of bringing them, how we did it responsibly, what went wrong, what went surprisingly right, and how it actually feels now that they're settled. I share the whole story — Graham, our 6½-year-old golden retriever, and how his new family found him through a sign neither of us expected. Our cat, and the cruel messages I got before everything turned around. And the quiet peace of knowing, three months out, that they're all in homes that love them. This isn't the "right" answer for everyone. Plenty of people travel with their pets, and bravo to them. This is just our honest version — the realist half of a big dream. Dream it, then plan it, even when the planning breaks your heart a little. If you're facing this same decision, I hope this makes you feel less alone in it. 💛 🎁 FREE GIFT — The Pivot Planner A gentle workbook for thinking through every area of life when you're making a big change — including the hard, tender parts like this one. → https://noellerollins.kit.com/0dba89ed38 💌 Notes from the Road Every other Sunday I send honest, unhurried letters about slow travel, intentional living, and starting over with some grace. Come along: https://noellerollins.kit.com/37529d3ee1 Tell me in the comments: did you have to rehome a pet — or are you debating it right now? I'd really love to hear where you're at. Please be kind to each other here; this is a soft place. CHAPTERS 00:00 The dream, and the hardest part of the plan 00:19 14 months ago: deciding to travel 00:41 Our golden retriever, Graham 01:34 Why I gave my husband space to decide 01:49 Why we chose rehoming over bringing him 02:36 Loving on him through the holidays 03:12 The vulnerable part: asking for help 04:27 How Graham's new family found him 05:46 Meeting Samantha (and the sign) 06:36 Why rehoming overseas felt irresponsible 07:36 Our cat: when it went wrong, then right 09:18 The cruel messages I got 10:28 Finding the right home after all 11:13 Living her best life (the pastor's sermon) 12:24 Our older cat finds a farm 12:45 No regrets — and glad we didn't wait 13:13 Under 100 days: the peace of knowing 13:40 Our turn to be a little selfish 14:01 Your turn — did you rehome a pet? #fulltimetravel #rehomingpets #movingabroad #slowtravel #travelwithpets #intentionalliving #sellingeverything #realistdreamer