In this van life Q&A, I’m answering all your questions about what it’s really like traveling full-time with my beautiful companion, Abby. I talk honestly about the big stuff (like what I’ll do when she eventually passes and whether I’d get another dog), and the day-to-day practical bits—odours in a small van, keeping a dog entertained, and what our sleeping setup looks like. Abby’s 12 and a half now, and we’ve been doing this for five years, so a lot of what works for us comes down to her age, her personality, and the routines we’ve settled into. I also share the naughtiest things she’s done (she’s a bit of a Houdini, she’s dug holes under the van, and yes… she ate my nuts once), plus how I find dog-friendly bushwalks using WikiCamps and info centres. I’m a real rule follower, so I talk through how I handle national parks and why I won’t bend the rules. And lastly, I cover pet sitting—why it can be a great option, but why it doesn’t work for Abby now because she can panic if I leave. The biggest takeaway: not every dog is suited to van life, so it’s worth testing and really thinking about your dog’s temperament before committing.