If you have been following our newsletters, you know my husband and I have been working our tails off building out our very own converted school bus. We have totally downsized our footprint and we have hit the road, traveling across the country to visit stores and meet as many of you as possible. We'll be keeping a running log of our happenings here, so check back for updates!

APRIL

Well, y’all the journey has begun! I’ve finally set off to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with the dogs and my husband Tim on an 18 month roadtrip around America in a (nearly) converted school bus! We’re halfway through the conversion and are finishing things in Austin (naturally), Texas with some help from our friends Kels and Jay, veterans in the art of renovating school buses, vans, and Airstream trailers.

I got to drive up picturesque mountain passes, rolled through lush California’s farmland, navigated the sprawl of LA, and drove through some amazing desert scenery. Sunsets have mostly been stunning, but we hit a patch of rain storms in the south which was amazing with the clouds and lightening over the covered landscape.

  • tinkering in the parking lot

  • getting hands on

  • meals on the go!

While Tim was all about driving, my daily routine revolved around the dogs, ensuring they adapted well to this nomadic lifestyle. I stayed in hotels where managers were nice, and some were just plain MEAN! The dogs have had morning walks around lakes, playful runs in dog parks, and done loop after loop after loop around downtown hotel lots - but each day has brought its own small adventures. Mostly, the dogs have thrived, although Harper does lots of panting for the first hour each day before she settles down.

While Tim was all about driving, my daily routine revolved around the dogs, ensuring they adapted well to this nomadic lifestyle. I stayed in hotels where managers were nice, and some were just plain MEAN! The dogs have had morning walks around lakes, playful runs in dog parks, and done loop after loop after loop around downtown hotel lots - but each day has brought its own small adventures. Mostly, the dogs have thrived, although Harper does lots of panting for the first hour each day before she settles down.

MAY-JUNE

Well y’all, the last few weeks have been filled with bus building, retailer visiting, new product designing, and even more dog rescuing! I left you last month on the cliffhanger that we’d decided to foster a TX stray that we named Kingsley. He’s a gorgeous white German Shepherd that has spent 18 months roaming the area we’ve been recently staying. To say he’s a gentle soul is an understatement. He integrated into our little pack so well that we’re going to keep him, and we’re redesigning the bus to accommodate him.

Half way through April a tiny puppy joined us...8-10 week ol’ Mabel Poppy arrived after a massive thunderstorm. She was exhausted, riddled with fleas, and could barely stand. We started to nurse her back to health but things went downhill and we suspected she had Parvo. It was touch and go whether she’d live but a week in intensive care and a new monoclonal antibody treatment and she’s now the proud pup of our bus builders, Kels and Jay.

I've also visited over 20 incredible retailers in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. I love being on the road because I get to meet enthusiastic pet owners, all with hearts as big as Texas itself. And I get to tell the story of why I started Austin and Kat, and share our products with a new audience. Stores are set up a little bit differently than Seattle, but all in all, it’s the same vibe - everybody wants to take really good care of their pets and help give them a better, longer, happier life.

Here's to many more miles, smiles, and wagging tails! 🐾💕

  • mabel poppy when she turned up

  • blanca meeting mabel poppy

  • visiting the pupology store team

  • kingsley posing in some flowers

follow Kels and Jay!

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JULY

Hello Hello! It’s been 12 weeks since I left Seattle with the dogs and we’ve now driven through…WA, OR, CA, NV, AZ, NM, TX, OK, CO, KA, IL, IN, KY, MO, OH, PA, NY, MA, RI, CT, NH, ME!! Along the way I’ve got to see the landscape and local culture change, the pups have experienced over 40 dog parks, and we’ve all had a brilliant time visiting all the stores we drove past.

Each day I set off in the car with the dogs in search of a park for a morning run to wear them out. Moxey then slowly follows me in the bus and each night we park up and work on completing all the loose ends. We’re now 95% complete and have officially started living as full time bus nomads!

With 4 (big) dogs it’s definitely a squeeze but we’re getting more organized. Feeding the dogs in such a small space needed some real discipline so we’ve got the same order for feeding, and getting on and off the bus. First is Kingsley, then Blanca, Harper, and finally Austin. They learned the order quickly but Austin hates being last so is always like a rocket when it’s his turn.

We’re going to be traveling through July so the dogs are now with one of our customers who is an amazing trainer. So while I’m away Tim from the Guiding Leash is taking care of my babies and elevating their training, recall, and getting them to sit on a log in a really cute pose so Moxey can get some nice photos 😋

To watch the dogs go to @guidingleash on instagram and you can see their progression.

more to come soon!

I’m currently over in the UK seeing our family (and cows!) and missing all my 4th of July favs…fireworks, parades, sunny beaches and friends.

So from me and the team to you and your furry friends, I wish you a wonderful, safe and happy 🇺🇸 4th of July 🇺🇸

Below is a quick glance from the UK... a super ambitious hike! 12 miles - and it felt all uphill, even the down 🥵

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