Three years ago, I rescued my first dog, a 2-year-old Jack Russell-Chihuahua mix found in a taped box in the middle of the road.
After he warmed up to me, I was inspired by his courage. I promised this dog, whom I would later name Elko, that I would make up for the lost time and show him the world.
Since then, we've been to over three continents and 45 countries together. After countless flights to Paris, ferries across the Mediterranean, and trains throughout Europe, that once scared pup is now braver and arguably a better traveler than I am.
When I tell people about my travels with Elko, their reaction is almost always surprise. For one, they can't believe I'm able to bring a dog that's not a service animal on a plane without having to make him fly in cargo.
In reality, it's far more doable than most assume.
Figuring out all the logistics beforehand allows for seamless travel
Elko is roughly 11 pounds, and he has flown in his carrier right next to me on every flight we've ever taken together. A lot of passengers don't even realize that there's a dog near them until we land.
To ensure Elko is always with me on board, I simply call ahead to reserve his spot on the plane, since most airlines limit the number of animals allowed. This usually comes with a fee of $75 to $200 and replaces a carry-on suitcase.
Along with talking to the airline beforehand, I also always check what paperwork our destination may need for Elko.
Each country has different specifications — some ask only for an up-to-date rabies shot, whereas others might also require a tapeworm medication or a list of country-specific vaccinations.
After a recent trip to the United Kingdom, I realized there was a small error in Elko's rabies paperwork, which almost triggered a quarantine hold at the border.
We sorted it out within an hour of the plane landing, but it was a stressful back-and-forth, so now I always verify all his necessary documents are accurate and up to date before we even head to the airport.
Another crucial part of traveling with a dog is making sure they're used to sitting in a carrier for long periods. This can be a gradual process that starts with short road trips or even just visits to a nearby park.
Even with Elko, there was a small learning curve to get him used to being in his carrier. Now, whenever I pull it out before a trip, he can't wait to hop in because he knows he's included in the adventure.
Plus, it serves as a piece of comfort for him, since no matter where we are in the world, the carrier remains a constant safe space.
Exploring the world with a dog taught me that the journey is just as fun as the destination
Sitting next to Elko at 30,000 feet is surreal, but I think the best part about traveling with a dog is discovering pet-friendly travel alternatives when airplanes aren't an option.
When Elko was not allowed on a one-hour flight between Finland and Sweden (the plane already had the maximum number of pets on board), we opted to take an 18-hour ferry through the Baltic Sea, where we rented a cabin and snuggled the whole ride.
Additionally, whenever we're traveling in Europe, Elko and I prefer to take the trains, since most allow animals on board for free or for a small fee.
We like to call this the scenic route because, although it can take four times as long as flying, we get to see stunning landscapes we might not otherwise experience.
No matter where we are, I always put Elko's comfort first. Long drives get broken up into shorter legs, with stops every few hours.
Towns that I usually would have driven straight through turn into hidden-gem pitstops, like in Norway, when Elko needed to use the restroom, and we discovered an old turf-roofed mountain farm overlooking a fjord.
Regardless of where we are, traveling with Elko by my side has changed the way I travel.
Conversations with dog-loving locals have broken the ice in countries where I didn't even speak the language, and made me hopeful that the world is considerably kinder than I imagined.
I can't wait for our next journey, driving along the Pan-American Highway, from Michigan to Argentina, where Elko will add 13 new countries to his passport.
Not bad for a pup found in a box in the middle of the road.
Read next
William Atek is a travel writer, rescue animal advocate, and content creator. His work follows Elko, a rescue dog found in a box, who now travels the world with him. He founded the travel brand Away On Earth (awayonearth.com), publishing travel guides and gear for adventurous pups and their humans. His expertise and storytelling have been featured in Newsweek, People Magazine, and Business Insider. Together, they are chasing the world record for most traveled dog, documented on Instagram at @awayonearth.
