Viral 'Van Life' Pup Carries Huge Stick on 14-Mile Hike and Wins the Hearts of Many

Sometimes, there are people who we look at and think they got famous for absolutely no reason - now more than ever. On the flip side, there are an ever-growing number of famous animals, and no one ever says anything negative about them because, well, they're sweet little animals!

On Thursday, July 11th, one viral van-life dog got even more attention on his latest long hike. He carried the same stick for the entirety of the journey, and nearly every single stranger had something to say about it:

Vanessa Keating and Bryce make such good travel buddies. They both love hiking, and they love each other even more!

Related: Dogs' Excitement Over Arrival of the 'Doggy Hiking Van' Is Way Too Sweet

Vanessa is a van-lifer, a trend that has been a thing for a long time, but really picked up popularity during the pandemic. People used the time in isolation to reflect, decide to disavow their material possessions, and take off. Vanessa's vehicle of choice is actually an RV, which is definitely more suitable for a big dog like Bryce.

He's living it up. He gets to go on tons of long walks, he's always meeting new people, and he's always in a new place with new things to smell. He has his best friend/mom by his side, and a never-ending line of adoring fans who want to compliment him. And, most importantly, tons of big sticks to find and carry around. What more could this good boy want?!

Is Nomadic Life Good for Dogs?

One thing that van-lifers get a lot of flack for is whether their environment is good to raise a pet in, and particular, dogs. They need a lot of space and are typically considered the "high maintenance" pets - Vanessa herself has gotten a fair amount of comments about Bryce.

If you have adequate space in a mobile home, like an RV or a large van, you can definitely keep a dog, though the type of dog you want will depend on your specific lifestyle. Smaller dogs may be easier for some van-lifers, while large dogs are fine if you have excess space.

Having a dog in your traveling journey doesn't have to be difficult. You'll need to make sure you have a few basic things:

1. A van/RV/mobile home that your dog can comfortably stand , sit, lie down, and walk around in.
2. A secure place for them to stay while the vehicle is in motion.
1. A crate or seatbelt/harness combo is best!
3. A secure food and water dish (and access to fresh, clean water).
4. Waste disposal bags, a leash, and a harness.
5. An up-to-date microchip/ GPS tracker.

Whether you personally want to bring a dog on your adventures is up to you, but it looks like Bryce and Vanessa are having tons of fun. It can be done!