Our First Furbaby Getaway: Packing Chaos, Paw Prints, and a Whole Lot of Sand

It’s hard enough packing for the kids — the snacks, the spare outfits, the sunscreen you’ll somehow forget anyway. But this time, we were levelling up. Our first-ever family holiday with our new furbaby, Echo. And honestly, I wasn’t sure who was going to need more calming treats — her or me. The Central Coast was calling, and we were determined to make it a proper family adventure. The car was loaded, the playlist was questionable, and somewhere in between packing the girls’ floaties and Echo’s chew toys, I realised this was no longer just a getaway. It was a mission.

Pre-Holiday Chaos: The Packing Olympics
If you’ve ever travelled with kids, you’ll know that packing isn’t just a task — it’s an Olympic sport. Add a dog into the mix and suddenly you’re competing in a triathlon you didn’t train for. There’s the human packing list, the toddler packing list, and now the dog packing list, which somehow rivals both. Food, toys, lead, bed, wipes, treats, collapsible bowl, shampoo, towel, seat cover — and that’s before I even think about my own toothbrush. The kids were easy; Echo was the wildcard. Would she sleep? Would she bark the whole car ride? Would she mistake the Airbnb couch for a giant chew toy? All valid questions that I chose to ignore in favour of optimism and snacks.

Enter the Kurgo Essentials: Saving Sanity Since Day One
Thankfully, I’d armed myself with some serious backup — three clever products from Kurgo that were about to change how we travel with our pup. Between the Quantum 6-in-1 Dog Leash, the Direct to Seat Belt Dog Tether, and the Splash-Free Wander Water Bowl, we were about to find out just how stress-free a furbaby holiday could be.

The Road Trip Reality
Car trips with kids are a test of patience. Car trips with kids and a dog? That’s the boss level. Normally, Echo treats the car like a theme park ride she didn’t sign up for — pacing, whining, attempting to climb into the front seat, or staring dramatically out the window like she’s in a breakup montage. But not this time. The Direct to Seat Belt Dog Tether was an instant win. It clipped directly into the seatbelt and kept her safe and secure in the back seat. No tangles, no tugging, and most importantly, no 20kg fluff missile launching forward every time we stopped for traffic. Echo was calm, comfortable, and dare I say… elegant. She sat proudly in her seat, gazing out the window like she was starring in her own doggy road movie. I could finally focus on driving instead of my usual backseat commentary: “Echo, sit. No, don’t eat that. Leave your sister’s hat alone.” Peace restored.

The Quantum 6-in-1 Dog Leash: The MVP of the Trip
Once we hit the beach, the Quantum 6-in-1 Dog Leash became the unsung hero. This thing deserves its own applause track. Six functions in one leash — hands-free for when you need to juggle kids and coffee, extended for a little more freedom on walks, and adjustable for training. It even doubles as a two-dog leash if you’re brave enough to manage a multi-pet household. The bungee-style flexibility was a game changer. Echo could explore, chase seagulls (within reason), and wander at her own pace without pulling my arm out of its socket. There’s a special kind of relief in having both hands free while wrangling beach bags, toddlers, and snacks — and I’d never realised how much of a luxury that was until now.

Hydration Without Havoc: The Splash-Free Wander Water Bowl
Echo’s relationship with water is best described as “dramatic.” Whether it’s a bowl, the beach, or a puddle, she’s all in — literally. So, when I heard about Kurgo’s Splash-Free Wander Dog Water Bowl, I was intrigued but skeptical. Turns out, it’s genius. The flat wedge design and high sides kept it stable on every surface — from the back seat to the picnic table. Even with enthusiastic lapping, there were zero spills. It survived the car ride, the beach day, and the pit stop at the café — which is more than I can say for the kids’ juice boxes. For once, my car didn’t smell like wet dog and spilt water, and I silently thanked the design gods for this invention.

Beach Days and Furry Firsts
Watching Echo experience the beach for the first time was a mix of comedy and chaos. There was the initial shock of waves (“What sorcery is this moving water?”), the inevitable taste test of sand, and then the pure joy of zooming across the shoreline like she was auditioning for Baywatch: Canine Edition. The kids were equally thrilled, squealing every time she chased foam or rolled in the sand. And while my inner voice whispered, “This is going to be a nightmare to clean,” my heart was full. These were the moments that made the chaos worth it.

Evenings at the Airbnb: The Calm After the Storm
After long days of exploring, the evenings were blissfully calm. Echo, exhausted from her beach adventures, would curl up on her mat while the kids watched a movie. We’d pour a glass of wine, exhale, and laugh about the day’s mishaps — the seagull standoff, the sand explosion in the car, and Echo’s obsession with chasing waves she’d never catch. Having her tethered safely in the car, hydrated on the go, and happily leashed on our walks made all the difference. It wasn’t just about convenience; it was about confidence. For once, travelling with a dog didn’t feel like an unpredictable gamble.

Parenthood, Paw-renthood, and the Art of Letting Go
Travelling with kids teaches you patience. Travelling with a dog teaches you surrender. Plans shift, mess happens, and sometimes, the best moments are the ones you don’t plan at all. There’s something grounding about watching your dog nap in the sun while your kids build sandcastles beside her — a reminder that simplicity wins every time. This trip wasn’t perfect, but it was real, and that’s kind of the point.

The Verdict
Echo loved every minute — the smells, the space, the constant attention. And we loved having her with us. The combination of Kurgo’s travel gear meant no stress, no spills, and no chaos (well, less chaos). These products didn’t just make the trip easier; they made it enjoyable. From car rides to café stops, the right gear turned what could’ve been a disaster into a new family tradition.

Would We Do It Again? Absolutely.
Next time, I’ll still overpack, forget something crucial, and probably bring too many snacks, but I’ll do it knowing that Echo’s part of the adventure — and that’s what makes it special. If you’re planning your first dog-friendly trip, start small, stay flexible, and invest in good gear. It turns the mayhem into memories, and that’s really what family travel’s all about.