Travelin' in Style!

I can almost hear this sweet pup saying,  "Onward James ! "      Today's four legged companions have the ability to travel with us in style like never before.   Often we see pets flying on plane trips, going on the family vacation in the RV, and riding in our cars on both long and short outings.   Adventures with your companion can be as simple or complex as you wish to make them.

For those who wish to take their pet flying, if you have pocket sized pals, they can travel in the  passenger space with us, under our seats, in carefully constructed bags.   For those with bigger dogs, they must ride in the belly of the plane with the luggage in airline approved travel crates.   If you are looking for this type of trek with your four paws pal, please be aware that each airline has specific standards that must be adhered to.  Some examples are, crate sizes and styles, health certificates, food and water directions, as well as many other rules.  It is good to call and make your plans well in advance.

Traveling in an RV gives one the opportunity to pack everything your pup will need well in advance.  If you are crossing state lines or going for an extended period of time, it is a good practice to type up and print out a copy of all of the dogs shot records as well as the phone number and address of the local vet you used.   This reference is invaluable if ever the worst were to happen and your dog might bite a person, another animal, or in the possibility of illness.  You will have the information ready to hand over and a name of a person to call to verify.  Don't forget to bring your pets medication in the original bottles in case you need to refill on the road.  Thus you have the pill size, dosage, and frequency available to bring to a different vet.

 If your pet is used to the RV then traveling will be a breeze.   They feel their home is on wheels and are settled in any campsite you pick to stop in.   Depending upon the size of the dog, a folding wire crate is a good choice to take along.   This will afford you the opportunity to set the dog up outside the RV, in good weather, and have him secure.   I would not ever leave a pet in a crate unattended as people could easily come along and steal them or cause harm.   However, if you have an outside area set up and people there watching, use of a crate to keep the dog out from underfoot or to relieve your pets stress when new people come to visit.  I like to take along a light weight sheet that is big enough to cover the crate.  If your animal is stressed, placing it inside and darkening the crate can afford more relaxation and a feeling of a natural den.  Of course, the dog needs to be crate trained at home way before this.

 If this would not work for you I would bring  a long, sturdy tie out that your pet can not chew through.   Again, I would not leave the dog unattended, but it offers a bit more roaming room than just a six foot leash and can be wrapped around a tree or RV tire while you are working around the unit.   Always bring more than one leash and an additional collar.   The dog should have on and wear, at all times, a rabies tag and a metal engraved ID tag with your name, vet name, city, state.   I refrain from putting my dogs name on the tag as it is not good practice to let just anyone know your pets name.   Again, they may use that to steal your dog.

Some people whose pets have sensitive stomachs will carry  water from home.  This is not practical for large breeds over an extended period of time.   Pet food from home is always the best way to keep the tummy from being upset do to a sudden change in diet.   Always bring extra food and be familiar with pet stores that carry your brand, in advance, on the route you plan to take.    Assemble a first aid kit for your pet.   Put in sterile gauze, scissors, vet wrap, alcohol pads, tweezers, needle nose pliers, ipecac syrup (used to induce vomiting in non-caustic poisoning), hydrogen peroxide, cotton balls, waterproof First Aid tape and a generic equivalent to triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) to help dress, care for and bind wounds, as well as remove fish hooks or splinters.   I recommend taking this kit with you any time you travel with your pet, even out to the park.    One time I had my dogs swimming at the lake and running in the woods when Echo came back whining, her mouth stuck open and a shaft of a tree branch she had somehow ran into was wedged into the back of her throat.  I was able to cut off the excess and rush her to the vet for removal of the branch.  Another time, Missy was trolling the shores and came back with a fish hook firmly in the roof her mouth.   The pliers and some help from a couple of fisherman, got the hook out.

When traveling by car, even across town,  bring a roll of fresh paper towels and a couple of dog towels.   More than one time I have had to clean up in the car when someone got car sick, or wrap up a dog who may have swam too hard and be shivering.   When going by car on a vacation, bring along the same things as in an RV.   If staying in a motel,  make those arrangements ahead of time and  double checks that  pets are welcome and the cost.  As you choose a motel, look for information on the web or advertisement stating if the place is "pet friendly" plus the cost per dog, per night.   Check to see if your dog is allowed to remain in the room while you tour an area or if you must keep the pet with you at all times.  That is particularly important in the summer and winter seasons so a pet is not left unattended in a parked car with temperature extremes.  Always bring doggie bags to  pick up after any animal and be considerate of people who may not wish to hear your dog barking, be lunged at or jumped on, or have pets of their own who do not co-mingle.   Your animal is best appreciated by others at a distance.  Remember they do not have a pet with them for a reason.   Set an example and show the highest degree of courtesy thus leaving a positive impression about you and your dog.

Our family vacations have drastically changed, over the years, to include our four legged friends.  No matter how you plan to travel, make all your arrangements in advance to allow your trip, you, others, and your companion to enjoy the quality time.  


                                                                       © PawEarFull Legacys