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Hi, I’m Carly, the heart and soul behind Nala’s Dog Blog—a budget-friendly travel resource dedicated to adventurous dog moms who refuse to put their dreams on hold.

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Hi, I’m Carly, the heart and soul behind Nala’s Dog Blog—a budget-friendly travel resource dedicated to adventurous dog moms who refuse to put their dreams on hold.

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✨ Inspiring your next solo trip w/ your dog
🏕️ Car camping & building our dream life in 🇨🇦
🐾 Dog & digital nomad adventures
📍Alberta and everywhere

I don’t know what I’d do without that smile. 🫠❤️🥹

I don’t know what I’d do without that smile. 🫠❤️🥹

Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦☀️✨

Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦☀️✨

Happy 15th Birthday, Jake!! 🎉❤️🐾 Words could neve

Happy 15th Birthday, Jake!! 🎉❤️🐾

Words could never capture just how much this beautiful soul means to me, and Nala. Jake has lived the most legendary life — from mountain adventures in the Rockies to peaceful beach days on the island, he’s defied every odd with grace and that signature happy-go-lucky spirit.

At 10, my sister was told to say goodbye… but Jake had other plans. After a second opinion and a miracle naturopath, he overcame a misdiagnosed condition and kept on living! At 13, he survived a pitbull attack while I was walking him (I’m still traumatized by the whole thing), and he heartbreakingly outlived his sister Kali who passed a few years ago— who’s now waiting for him on the other side of the rainbow bridge. But Jake’s time? It’s still here. He’s got beaches to sniff and naps to take beside his sister Tia and his new little human brother.

Even now, with legs that don’t quite keep up with his incredible mind, Jake’s spirit is unstoppable. He’s been endlessly patient with Nala — initially baffled by her “flanguage” (aka her growly greetings 😂), but over time, he came to adore her quirks and showed her how to slow down and live a more peaceful existence lol.

My heart aches knowing we’re further apart these days… and I know when the day comes, Nala will feel it deeply. The Tia, Jake and Nala trio will be no longer, but he will be reunited with Kali and I can bet the first thing they will do together is run free and race up the closest mountain. Today, we’re just grateful — for every extra year, every adventure, and every gentle moment this boy has gifted his family, and us. We know he’s truly living his last years in paradise.

We love you beyond words, Jake. Happy birthday handsome!! ❤️🐾 P.S he’s my sister’s dog but I just love him so much! 🥰 @kristi.bilodeau

Nala and I could both use a whole lot of this righ

Nala and I could both use a whole lot of this right about now. Who else? 😍

What Nala eats on the road. 🚘🐾 Freeze dried or de

What Nala eats on the road. 🚘🐾

Freeze dried or dehydrated food has done Nala so well. It’s easy to travel with and you don’t have to wet it which helps since she’s a graze eater. Her digestion and overall health has never been better since switching her over 4 years ago now.

Picky dog owners, what are you giving for pups for healthy treats?

@tiltedbarnpetco is Nala’s absolute favourite treat. She also loves beef hearts.

P.s. she loves @smackpetfood so far. Looks like we may have found a new winner!

It’s Nala’s birthdaaaaaay! 🎉❤️🎊🥳🎂🎁

It’s Nala’s birthdaaaaaay! 🎉❤️🎊🥳🎂🎁

Two peas in a pod.🫛🥰 Fun fact: our birthdays are

Two peas in a pod.🫛🥰

Fun fact: our birthdays are only two days apart! Coincidence? I think not. As much as I have zero desire to celebrate my own at this point, I love celebrating Nala’s.

It’s become our little tradition to camp somewhere fun during the days between our birthdays, hike our favourite trails and find new ones—and honestly, it’s one of the highlights of my year. ❤️

First up: Bear’s Hump. A short and sweet hike with stunning lake views. The rock face at the top is closed for nesting, but you can still make it most of the way up and soak in that classic Waterton magic.

We also made sure to stop @woofertonofwaterton twice to spoil Nala with some fun treats and a new harness.

If you have a pup you have to go to Waterton and check out @woofertonofwaterton it’s the best store ever! With unique finds, and the most wonderful owners. As if Waterton couldn’t get anymore magical, it did when Wooferton opened up. 🐾❤️

NALA TURNS SIX THIS WEEK AND I’M NOT OK WITH IT! 💔

NALA TURNS SIX THIS WEEK AND I’M NOT OK WITH IT! 💔

I promised myself I would not be one of those dog owners that cry over their dog’s birthday and would enjoy every moment of her existence and not think about the future, but this week got the best of me and I’ve already cried like five times about the fact that SIX YEARS have already gone by.. like how?!

Also, my fur baby is no longer a baaaaby anymore.

If anyone has any hints on how to invent a time Machine to slow down time, or, I heard there’s a pill being developed, anyone got any tips on that?! I’ll gladly take them. 😭 scientists come on, do your thing! Kidding, but not really, I just cannot believe how quick six years have gone by.

Any other crazy dog moms out there that felt this way on their pups birthday? ❤️ I know I’m not the only one! 🐾

Long weekends whaaat? Running on caffeine and pure

Long weekends whaaat? Running on caffeine and pure determination—late nights, weekend catch-ups, early mornings… I do it all for this girl (and the dream we’re building). Exhausted? Always. Giving up? Never. ❤️

I’ve come to learn in these moments the best lessons are learned and that another breakthrough is just around the corner. And what a blessing to be busy doing what you love! 🙏

When you feel like quitting, and sleeping in…wake the heck up and keep going! 💪

P.s. this is more for myself than anyone else at the moment, but hope it helps someone out there with the motivation they need too! 😅🫶🤗
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#dogmom #bossmode #lifeofanentrepreneur #dogmomaf #buildingmydream #mondaymotivation #mondaymood

Two years ago, on the way to my sister’s, Nala and

Two years ago, on the way to my sister’s, Nala and I randomly turned up a mountain road—because why not? We had no idea that little detour would lead us to THIS!

Today, we visited the build site of our future home, and we didn’t want to leave! The views. The peace. The feeling. It’s all coming together like it was meant to. ❤️

It didn’t happen overnight. It happened because I followed my curiosity, trusted the nudge, and wasn’t afraid to chase the life I wanted.

So if you’re in a season of indecision, take that back road. Say yes. Go all in. And trust God! You never know what’s waiting for you up the mountain!! 🏔️

Ask me anything about the build in the comment 👇

Cherishing every moment with her ❤️ This morning

Cherishing every moment with her ❤️

This morning Nala got attacked by another small dog on the beach while we were taking our morning stroll. This dog came out of nowhere!! I’m just so grateful that it was just a little bigger and not a large dog and I was able to stop it before terrible happened. She is absolutely fine, thankfully! 🙏

I’m still so shaken up about it though. It’s the absolute worst thing to hear the cries of your dog. 😭 She is traumatized and doesn’t want to be anywhere near people or dogs right now so I did what I could with work today and then we found a peaceful spot for her to decompress, where I knew there wouldn’t be lots of people around.

A plus that they are hot springs too. I know some of you might ask where they are, but I may keep this one secret, only because there are so few places left that are still quiet and I’m not entirely sure you’re still “allowed” to go here, and it’s not so secret anymore, AND it’s hidden in plain sight so you might have to do some digging!

I will say though, if this intrigues you, get out and explore! Always take the back road, gravel road, road towards the RV park hint hint lol and you may be surprised by what you might find! ❤️

Never again. I'll take all the tech problems, bugs

Never again. I'll take all the tech problems, bugs and minor inconveniences any day over a congested traffic commute every morning, passive aggressive colleagues and a stuffy office.

It's not for everyone but the freedom for me IS and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Also, because I get to spend everyday with my little bean, exploring our beautiful country! ❤️

Have you had the chance to work remotely? Did you love it or hate it?

The best day of my life was the day I brought her

The best day of my life was the day I brought her home. ❤️

Happy National dog mama day to all the ladies out there that treat their precious pups like the family that they are. We hope you get up to some fun adventures today! 🐾

Thank you to @sundaythegoldenretriever for the inspiration. This one was an epic idea❤️❤️❤️
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#pomchi #blackdog #nationaldogmomday #loveyourpets #dogsofinstagram

It’s actually crazy to think that if I hadn’t come

It’s actually crazy to think that if I hadn’t come across Nala’s photo that day—and had this gut feeling that I needed her in my life—I wouldn’t be where I am today.

I was supposed to be adopting a different kind of dog. One that didn’t shed, per someone else’s “preferences.” And when her owner literally told me not to come, I said, “Too bad—I’ll be there in an hour.” Picked up @ivonacabrilo, drove through a wild thunderstorm to some random farm in Manitoba… and that’s where I met the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. ❤️

I truly believe God sent her to me. She showed up at the exact moment I needed her—and changed everything.

She’s the reason I found the courage to move across the country and start traveling solo. To launch my own freelance business. And soon… to launch @barkbutlerventures

Without her, none of this would’ve ever been.

One dog. One God moment. One split-second decision. And a totally different future.

Follow along as we keep building this wild little life together. @nalasdogblog 🐾🤗

Anyone got a spare 2 mill that Nala can borrow? Th

Anyone got a spare 2 mill that Nala can borrow? This is what happens when you go down those random roads! You just never know what gems you might find! 🤗

Okay—this one’s a little sentimental, but I wanted

Okay—this one’s a little sentimental, but I wanted to share with you all a sneak peek into our future!!

We’ve come such a long way… and honestly, this is a future I never imagined I’d actually reach. Not because I didn’t want it—but because for so long, I was surrounded by voices that tried to keep me small. Labelled the “creative one” and put in a box that suited them.
Not me.

So to me, this isn’t just a little cottage in the woods.
It’s a symbol of everything I’ve fought and worked for.
A symbol of my faith in God, my belief in myself, and the strength it took to build a life that finally feels like mine.
It means more to me than I can put into words.

It’s proof that I’ve broken free from the voices that tried so hard to hold me back.
That I’ve learned to silence the noise and finally trust the voice within and most importantly, trust God.

To the one who told me I was stupid every day…
That I couldn’t make decisions.
That I shouldn’t hold any responsibility.
You were wrong.
I did it—and I did it without you.

This next chapter is ours.
Our own little slice of paradise.
And we couldn’t be more excited!

P.S. It’s also going to be a part-time Airbnb while Nala and I travel—so stay tuned for Nala’s Nest. It will most definitely be dog-friendly! 🐾

And if you’ve made it this far, take it as your sign:
Ignore the ignorant.
Silence the doubt.
Trust yourself—and do the thing. Because you most definitely can! ❤️

P.S thank you so much @kenaiacresmountainresort for the pictures! 🥰

I think Nala and I will just stay here forever! 😍

I think Nala and I will just stay here forever! 😍

Anyone want to guess where this is?

I’m really not quite sure how I ever lived without

I’m really not quite sure how I ever lived without this one. ❤️

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