Sixteen years ago, when GoPetFriendly was launched, the vision was simple: to make pet travel easy and accessible. Back then, the landscape was vastly different. Finding accommodations and activities that welcomed pets was a significant challenge.
While the concept of traveling with pets wasn’t entirely novel, it was far from mainstream. Many perceived it as an extravagant, unusual, or overly complicated endeavor.
The Rise of Pet-Friendly Travel
Fast forward to today, and the transformation is undeniable. GoPetFriendly might have played a role in this shift, but the real catalyst has been the millions of pet lovers who embraced the idea of traveling with their furry companions. Witnessing this evolution has been truly rewarding.
As pet travel gained momentum, businesses began to recognize the untapped potential. Hotels, restaurants, and even entire cities started actively promoting their pet-friendly amenities. Pet policies and dedicated directories appeared on websites, billboards, and storefronts, signaling a welcoming attitude towards pets.
Nowadays, walking through most cities reveals a significant number of pet-friendly establishments, perhaps even outnumbering those that aren’t. This is the reality we envisioned when we embarked on this journey.
This widespread acceptance, however, also means that the original purpose of GoPetFriendly’s business directory has evolved.
Adapting to Change
As pet travel became more mainstream, GoPetFriendly adapted as well. After an incredible twelve years of traveling in a motorhome, we settled down in pet-friendly Bisbee, Arizona – a fantastic pet-friendly vacation spot!
With newfound time freed from RV travels, I decided to pursue further education. Recently, I completed a certificate program in AutoCAD, a software essential for designers, drafters, and architects in creating building plans. I also explored residential construction courses, which proved to be an engaging experience.
Woman in a hardhat with new tools used for constructionBest first day of school EVER! Cochise College Residential Construction Program. Alt text: Woman in hardhat smiles holding construction tools, Cochise College Residential Construction Program.
At the time, the direction of these studies wasn’t entirely clear. It was driven by a passion for learning about subjects that had always intrigued me. Meanwhile, the digital landscape where GoPetFriendly exists was undergoing a significant transformation.
The AI Revolution
The advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been impossible to ignore. While there are valid concerns about AI’s societal impact, I recall my initial skepticism towards self-checkout machines at grocery stores. My strong aversion was met with my husband Rod’s pragmatic observation: “We might be a little young to stop adopting new technology.” He was right, although I still use self-checkout sparingly.
AI is undeniably changing how people plan their travels. GoPetFriendly has seen a noticeable decrease in human visitors over the past year. The convenience of AI-powered search, offering instant answers to travel queries, is undeniable.
The ease of obtaining information with a simple AI request is remarkable. While verifying the accuracy of AI-generated information remains crucial, the same level of due diligence was always recommended for pet policies found on GoPetFriendly.
Embracing New Horizons
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.
With the emergence of even more convenient methods for planning pet-inclusive trips, the decision has been made to shut down GoPetFriendly’s directory of pet-friendly places at the end of this month. It has served its purpose, and this transition will pave the way for new ventures.
The Blog’s Future
The blog, however, will remain active for the foreseeable future. It serves as a repository of cherished memories with our pets, Ty and Buster. Moreover, the blog offers a level of authentic, first-hand experience that AI cannot replicate. Our on-the-ground research, though some of it is from past travels, continues to hold value and hopefully will inspire more people to embark on pet-friendly adventures. I may also contribute occasional posts if I encounter something particularly interesting to share.
Scenic mountain pass with fall colorsIndependence Pass on Continental Divide. Alt text: Autumn view of Independence Pass, Continental Divide, showcasing fall foliage and mountain scenery.
Building a New Dream
Several years ago, Rod and I acquired a 3-acre plot of land atop a mountain in southern Colorado. When we discovered a wonderful house for sale in Bisbee and opted not to build there, the dream of building on that Colorado land resurfaced.
Suddenly, the knowledge gained from my recent courses became incredibly relevant. Months of research went into determining the optimal approach for building on a sloped, remote site with a short summer season and harsh winters.
Groundbreaking is planned for May, weather permitting. The panelized house is scheduled for delivery in June, and a professional crew will handle the exterior construction. We will then take over, completing the interior work ourselves and hiring subcontractors for tasks beyond our capabilities.
Architectural rendering of a modern prefab homeMy Sketch Up drawing of what the house will look like. Alt text: SketchUp rendering of a prefabricated modern home design with large windows, envisioned for mountain construction project.
Join Our Journey!
Many of you reading this have been part of the GoPetFriendly community for years, and your continued support is deeply appreciated. I am truly grateful for the connections we’ve made and invite you to join us on this exciting new chapter!
I’ve launched a YouTube channel to document our building progress. The first video is already live, explaining our choice of a prefab home. New videos will be posted weekly, each including a special “treat” for our long-time GoPetFriendly followers.
Fair warning: The video quality is not yet professional! But for those who have been with me since the beginning, you might recall that my initial blog posts weren’t polished masterpieces either. Improvement comes with practice.
