Oftentimes, bringing your dog along on your travels is next to impossible: is information on pet-friendly accommodations even reliable?
And once you’ve found a place, will there be enough activities to keep your furry companion entertained? After all, the last thing you want is for your dog to be stuck in a hotel room the entire trip.
“The Ultimate Dog Friendly Travel Guide to Malaysia”, an e-book by Nadia Hasbi solves these problems for you.
The book covers dog-friendly accommodations, activities and dining spots in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur that Nadia herself explored with her Golden Retriever, Reggie.
It is a valuable travel resource for furparents, and it even includes a pre-travel checklist for busy dog owners.
Its digital format allows the inclusion of links to the websites of dog-friendly resorts and information about eateries. As a bonus, it also features delightful photos of the handsome Reggie!
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Nadia shared what inspired her to create the e-book. “Reggie is my first dog, and I was really, really excited when I got him in 2020. I wanted to give him the best life I possibly could,” said the 43-year-old full-time content creator.
However, Nadia, who loves travelling, discovered that it wasn’t easy finding information about places that she could take Reggie along. So, she took on the challenge herself, discovering dog-friendly travel destinations in Malaysia. And now, she is sharing her insights with others.
Since its launch in the fourth quarter of last year, the book has sold around 200 copies. She said that she may release a limited number of physical copies in the future.
Looking back, Nadia shared that she has created many beautiful memories travelling with Reggie, which they do at least once a month.
Fun fact: Nadia took a leap of faith by leaving her full-time job in marketing to become a content creator last July. Today she documents her adventures with Reggie on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube where she has amassed over 39,000 followers!
Describing Reggie as a friendly canine who loves people, the handsome pooch instantly charmed this writer with his cheerful personality.
“He knows that when he’s getting into the car, he’s going to go somewhere fun,” said Nadia with a smile. The longest car trip Reggie has taken has been from the Klang Valley to Perlis. He even travelled by ferry when they visited Langkawi.
Reggie, she added, particularly loves the beach where he enjoys swimming and playing in the sand. “The first time he saw the beach, I think his mind was blown,” said Nadia, adding that the experience remains one of her best memories of travelling with him.
She also finds it heartwarming to see how others react to Reggie. “It makes me happy to see people interact with him and appreciate him as much as I do.”
However, when she is out and about with Reggie, she makes sure he is leashed and only lets him roam freely when no one is around.
As for the future, Nadia hopes to visit all the states in Peninsular Malaysia with Reggie, and introduce a second edition of her book as they continue to explore new places together.
“Whenever I think about Reggie on the beach, it just makes me so happy. Taking your dogs on trips creates memories that will last forever. It’s very cliché, but your dog’s world is as big as you make it,” she said.
‘The Ultimate Dog Friendly Travel Guide to Malaysia’ is priced at RM49.90. Orders can be placed here.
Follow Nadia and Reggie’s adventures on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. For further information, send Nadia a message via Instagram.