DOG Soothing Balm

Watson insisted on riding in the front seat.

Every road trip started with him beside me. Eventually he'd climb into the back for a nap, then return to the front when he decided I needed company.

He let me choose the music and tolerated an unreasonable number of podcasts about Australian outback crime.

Which meant that when we stopped somewhere remote for a toilet break, we'd both pee, get straight back into the car and lock the doors.

Australian road trips also meant heat.

We'd have the air-conditioning blasting during the day, which would dry Watson's nose out.

Then we'd stop somewhere hot and he'd jump from the car onto ground that could be incredibly warm and dry.

His paws suffered too.

When we eventually reached one of the hotels that would let Watson stay with me, I'd put the balm on his nose and paws before bed.

That timing worked beautifully.

He was tired enough not to immediately lick it off, it had all night to soak in, and it became this tiny part of our road-trip routine.

It wasn't something I bought because it looked beautiful.

I kept using it because it was practical, made him comfortable and helped me look after the parts of him taking the brunt of our adventures.