travel
When a pet sitter just won't do, pet-friendly travel locales and useful tips for a safe, smooth, and comfortable journey for critters of all kinds.
Lessons Learned Traveling with a Dog
June 3 of this year I packed all that I could fit in my car, made my dog comfortable, said my goodbyes, and off I went. First, when you're getting ready for a cross-country road trip with your furry best friend you have to check off the basics. For me, I made sure I had a blanket that smelled familiar to keep her comfortable and calm, a few of her favorite toys, some light snacks, and an awesome rubber bowl that didn't move around as I drove. Dogs can tend to get sick on long car rides even if they normally don't get car sick. With that in mind, I fed her that morning and let her settle and do her business outside before hitting the road. My dog's name is Jasmine she did amazing on the 10-11 hour trip to Kansas. We stopped two or three times I believe, for bathroom breaks for both of us and gas. It was hard finding spots for her to go at gas stations so I found myself having to drive a little further after getting gas to a rest area to let her get some energy out. My friend in Kansas has a German shepherd pup who is sweet as can be and Jasmine got to get in some play time for the two days we were there. I brought her favorite toys inside and the pillow she was using for the familiar smell and left her blanket bed in the car. The visit was short and sweet and we packed back up and left for Colorado early on the 5th. Colorado is absolutely stunning. If you haven't been please go. The drive through that state was anything but boring. The trip to Colorado was about the same amount of time but Jasmine seemed to be a little more restless. I think this was due to the fact that we only had a two day stop. My dog and I stopped at many sites in Colorado to admire the views which helped with her restlessness and she got more comfortable throughout the trip with every stop. There are actually stops when you travel that have dog parks which we discovered headed to Grand Junction. You can look up and see if any were on the way. We hiked the Colorado National Monument. We spent two nights in Grand Junction, Colorado at an Airbnb. An important thing to do for your trip is to find places that are pet-friendly to stay. The Airbnb in Grand Junction had a doggie door and a nice backyard and it made Jasmine feel so comfortable. Finally, we had one more 12-hour drive until we reached our final destination, our new home in California. Some of your dogs may be cool as a cucumber or some may be big stress balls. I have a big stress ball of a dog. Some things I wish I would have had are a weighted or compression vest for her comfort, a seatbelt buckle for her harness, and the treats or something to help calm her anxiety in traffic or when big trucks were close by. Every time she got anxious or scared she tried to climb up front in my lap. This did not go over well considering she is a 65-pound dog so I highly recommend the seatbelt. My dog is spoiled and almost always gets the last bite of all my meals but if you continue to do that on trips they will get sick and uncomfortable. I fed my dog light things like a couple pretzels and crackers while on the road but fed her every time we stopped for an overnight stay. I also snacked on things like pretzels myself to limit the number of times I had to stop. My top tip for traveling with a dog is having a second key for your car so you can leave your car running but locked for your dog when going inside anywhere for food or gas. If you get gas, turn your car off but roll the windows down on the side you can see first so the dog is getting air during that time. Other than that, please leave your car running with a spare key on hand. In the end, she was an amazing travel buddy and a good companion. I would definitely take this trip with her again. All dogs will be different and you know your dog better than anyone else so the needs may vary. I hope this helps someone! Safe travels.
Chasity OwensPublished 6 years ago in PetlifeMr. Darcy's Day Out
Comfort animals are used to bring comfort to a wide range of chronic and mentally ill people. Due to the fact that this privilege is often taken for granted by those who don't suffer from such illnesses, new rules and regulations have come into place. In order to better understand the process of traveling with ones comfort animal, I am going to map out some tips based on my own personal experiences.
Becca VolkPublished 6 years ago in PetlifeBest Accessories for Traveling with Your Dog
No matter how long or short of a trip you take, traveling with your dog can be a hassle. Your car seats can be covered in hair, your dog might even pee in your car or bark excessively. But there are multiple accessories available to make your life easier. Whether it's organizing your dog's food and water or making sure your furry friend is comfortable and relaxed, these are the ten best accessories for traveling with your dog.
Claudia JerroPublished 6 years ago in PetlifeThings to Know When Bringing Your Dog on Vacation
He's your best friend and the most loyal member of your family. You can't help but love the adoring look in his big brown eyes, or the way he wags his tail when he sees you. He's your dog, and if you're like many owners, you want to bring your pup with you everywhere you go.
Riley Raul ReesePublished 6 years ago in PetlifeWhy You Should — and Shouldn't — Volunteer With Wildlife
I started volunteering with animals nearly a decade ago, when I became a member of “zoo team” at the San Antonio Zoo. Since then, I’ve volunteered with sharks, baboons, bears, pumas, and more in South Africa and Bolivia. When people hear about my amazing experiences volunteering with wildlife, they often say that they’re jealous and wish they could do that too. I’m always careful with how I respond to those comments because, while volunteering with wildlife has made for some of the best experiences of my life, I don’t think it’s for everybody. Some people definitely go into it with the wrong intentions or misconceptions about what the experience will be like. That being said, here are some reasons, off the top of my head, why you SHOULDN’T volunteer with wildlife:
Elizabeth BrandonPublished 6 years ago in PetlifeBear 🐻 Duke
A day trip to London for an office meeting. Bear and I woke around 4:30. We went for a quick walk, Bear relieved himself of the evening meal and drink. Getting home I ran a hot bath remembering we had a 200 mile plus journey ahead of us. I feed him, possibly a little more than usual, and a few treats of dried tripe. I than sat in the tub for an hour and had a shave.
A Flipping Good Time
My favourite dive to date wasn’t somewhere exotic and tropical but actually in British waters – the Farne Islands. Anyone who has visited these islands will have seen the large seal colonies that populate the areas and I had the honour of diving amongst these friendly puppy-like creatures.
Jennifer RasalPublished 7 years ago in Petlife4 Tips for Safe Travel with Your Pet this Summer
Are you planning to travel this summer? Are you considering taking your pet with you for the ride? If so, you are familiar with the precautions associated with pets and vehicles, like do not leave your pet in a hot car, even if you have the windows cracked. This may seem like a no brainer, but every year thousands of people do it, and every year, thousands of pets suffer the consequences. Before you get your mind set on taking your pet with you, think about what you will do in situations where your pet cannot join you. For example, if you pull off of the highway to eat at a restaurant, where will your pets stay?
Charlene LittlePublished 7 years ago in Petlife- Top Story - July 2017
7 Awesome Dog Hiking Tips
A dog is man’s best friend. This is common knowledge and because of that fact, an owner may want to spend a lot of time with their dog and do fun things together. One of the ways in which an owner and his or her dog can bond is by going on a hike together. If you choose to go that route with your pet, here are seven tips you should follow in order for your dog and you to have the time of your lives. If you’re interested, please read on to find out these great hiking tips!