Marina Piro, a UK-based Italian travel blogger, went on an adventure with her dog, Odie, a Labradoodle mix that Marina had rescued at the shelter. Originally, she wasn’t planning to have a dog as a companion on her travels, but she had fallen in love with him on the first “bark.”
Marina decided to travel via land because she wanted to bring Odie with her. It would be very difficult to bring Odie with her if she would travel by any other means. She needed to secure permits and clearances and she had to pay extra for Odie’s accommodation.
Marina bought a 2001 model Renault Kangoo and converted it into a mobile home. She named the mini-van Pam. She prepared Pam for two months before she started to embark on a road adventure with Odie. She removed the seats and replaced them with a small bed, and added curtains, a small kitchen, lighting, and houseplants to make her mini-van liveable.
Marina made occasional stops to do some online work to fund her travels. She had a store on Etsy where she sold handmade pieces of jewelry. She also did collaborations with several brands and made reviews about them.
Marina, Odie, and Pam traveled together for three years. They had been to several countries in Europe. Marina had written several tips and ideas about road travels on her blog, Pam the Van.
However, in May 2019, Odie crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It was hard for Marina to accept Odie’s passing, but life must go on. A few months after Odie passed away, she sold Pam and bought a motorcycle. She named the motorcycle Jane.
Marina might be traveling solo these days, but it didn’t mean that she had forgotten all the memories she had with Odie and Pam. The road trips she had with them would always be in her heart.
Photos courtesy of wildshegoes91 via Instagram
