Home > Still Traveling > Archives > 2009 > February > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHave you ever taken Fido on a flight or Rover on a road trip?
Pet owners: Share your tips for traveling with pets.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For nearly two years, we have been able to count on one thing from our daughters. Every few weeks, we would find on our bed a thick, business-size envelope containing the latest “contract” and list of responsibilities that our children would undertake if we would just do one thing for them - get them a dog.
These weren’t simple little lists of promises either. Most were at least eight to ten pages long, front and back, filled with enough legalese to make the partners at Atlanta’s top law firms consider hiring the Still girls even in these tough economic times. They outlined the joys of owning a dog; the personal growth they would experience; the sacrifices they would make - and on and on.
After months of discussion and research to find the right kind of dog that would be appropriate for our family and situation, we finally allowed the girls to get a Labrador-Golden Retriever mix puppy. She has quickly become a member of our family, and the girls already assume that wherever we go… Maggie will go too. That includes beach trips, weekend getaways, and big summer vacations like our planned trip to Yellowstone this year.
Given her youthful exuberance, I doubt seven-week-old Mags will be traveling with us anytime soon. We’re nowhere nearly comfortable enough with housetraining to let her wander round our own house for very long without running her outside (or cleaning up messes). It will take a lot of training - house and otherwise - before I would be willing to “unleash” our little puppy on an unknowing public.
While I don’t imagine we will include the family dog on every family vacation, I would like to believe we will bring her along on some appropriate travels when she gets a little older. Camping and hiking trips are natural pet-friendly getaways, and I’m pretty sure my husband harbors heartwarming images of kids and canine running free on a sandy beach. The key for us will be to choose good pet-friendly destinations.
Pet owners often combine their love of pet with their love of travel. Many websites are dedicated to helping animal lovers find suitable travel destinations - or pet-friendly attractions within a location - with lists of hotels, beaches and parks that welcome well-behaved pets. For instance, dogfriendly.com offers city guides, filled with pet-friendly outdoor restaurants, dog parks and other attractions in dozens of cities throughout the south, nationwide and Canada.
Sites like tripswithpets.com and petswelcome.com help pet owners plan their trip, feature travel deals and list important information and tips for travelers with pets. Most airline websites also provide helpful information for people who are planning to travel by air with their pets.
Do you ever travel with your pets? Where are some good destinations in the south that you can comfortably bring your pet? What are your favorite places anywhere to travel with your pet? What’s your best advice for someone considering their first trip with a pet?
How do you make the trip - by car, by plane, by train? Do you have an airline preference when you’re transporting your pet? Have you found a good pet-friendly hotel chain? How difficult is it to take a trip that includes your pet? How much pet-oriented research do you do before you leave town? Do you look up leash laws or veterinarian locations at your destination site?
Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment | Categories: Traveling with pets
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
Comments
By Jeff
February 25, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this
OK, we have a somewhat smaller dog, mini dachshund, but Fred travels EVERYWHERE with us, and I do mean EVERYWHERE. He rode on the back of a Harley 4000 miles to Sturgis SD a couple years ago, he is an accomplished co-pilot in our Piper Arrow on trips to NY and Fla, and he just can’t wait to get into the car. My wife’s Shih-tzu, on the other hand, gets carsick …
By scrappy
February 25, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this
One of my fondest road trip memories is trying to sneak our 120lb Golden up the side staircase of a hotel that didn’t allow pets! The reaction of the maid in the morning was equalling hilarious. He’s big, but he is all love.
By codygirl
February 25, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
I have a wonderful pet-sitter that takes care of my Harlequin Great Dane and African Grey when I have to go out of town! Kennedy and Gilbert love Ms. Diane….and the special attention they receive from her! It might cost a little more to have someone come and stay at your house but there is such “peace of mind” for me knowing my “kids” are safe and comfortable in their own home! :)
PS….Kennedy (great dane) LOVES to ride in my truck! You can’t miss that BIG body in the backseat!
By JJ
February 25, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this
I have a puppy I am DYING to take to the beach. I told my daughter, we will take her to college, drop her off, and the Pup and I are headed to the beach.
Petswelcome.com is a WONDERFUL site. We are planning a trip to Treasure Island, FL, where they have dog friendly beaches.
I can’t wait!!!
By Jordana
February 25, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
My big ‘ole mut goes everywhere with me, and especially likes to stick his head thru the sunroof of my car. When a realtor, who was showing me beachfront rental homes, told me that dogs weren’t allowed, I explained that Max wasn’t a dog, he was my directional indicator. And I went to another beach.
By genn
February 25, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
Travel with my dog? Well DUH! The kids, not so much…
By doglvr
February 25, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this
I have been traveling with my boxer for years. But traveling with a larger dog has added on situations. If you fly (especially in the summer months) large dogs are not allowed with you on the plane and have to travel in the cargo. While I realize the airlines do the best they can there are too many “accidents” that occur so I have never taken that route. I do travel by car and google dogparks along my route. Many beaches are dog friendly but that may be certain hours. Many only allows dogs in early morning and late afternoon. I recommend lots of dog training to make sure the dog knows a perfect recall. So she will not run off if she gets loose. I think you have to decide if your dog will enjoy the trip as much as you. Do your homework on where you stay and if dogs are allowed in those areas. You would be surprised on where dogs are NOT allowed.
By lovelyliz
February 25, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
My sister-in-law moved back to the area with he husband and yippy dog. I have never seen her without thaty dog. Even if she leaves him in the car or with a relative in town, she never goes anywhere without her dog.
By lovelyliz
February 25, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
I have a dog and I love to take her with me, but I always check that where I am about to roam is suitable.
By amy
February 25, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
It depends upon the nature of the vacation—
if it is going to be a lazy vacation, with not much scheduled activities, and a lot of lounging around, for example a beach vacation, then sure, If I can get accomadations that allow pets then I’ll take them with me.
But, if I’m going somewhere like a large city where I will be doing a lot of sightseeing, and scheduled tours, and will be away from the room a lot, then, No. I don’t want to be tied down to after being out sightseeing for 8 hours having to rush back to let the dogs out. They are perfectly fine staying in the kennel. It won’t hurt them. As it is, on a daily basis, I have to rush home from work to let them out and then have to go back out if I have to do any errands or extra things in the evening. I don’t want to be tied to that on my vacation. I want to relax.
By Me
February 25, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this
My ‘granddog’ went to Cape San Blas, FL with us…it is a ‘dog friendly’ beach, and we found a wonderful ‘dog friendly’ house (immaculate, who’da thunk it?). We did pay extra-a non-refundable ‘pet fee,’ no more than $75 if memory serves…it was a great week.
We did bring her crate, and only put her in it when we went out to dinner…we took her to the beach and every other place we went.
Now, I have my OWN dog, and am looking forward to going back there! Both of “the girls” love the car, and are really easy going, which makes life easier.
I don’t think I’d take them on a plane (too big), but am considering making a trip back to the northeast this summer, and the thought of leaving my dog behind is killing me! 21 hours in a car????
By Me
February 25, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this
My ‘granddog’ went to Cape San Blas, FL with us…it is a ‘dog friendly’ beach, and we found a wonderful ‘dog friendly’ house (immaculate, who’da thunk it?). We did pay extra-a non-refundable ‘pet fee,’ no more than $75 if memory serves…it was a great week.
We did bring her crate, and only put her in it when we went out to dinner…we took her to the beach and every other place we went.
Now, I have my OWN dog, and am looking forward to going back there! Both of “the girls” love the car, and are really easy going, which makes life easier.
I don’t think I’d take them on a plane (too big), but am considering making a trip back to the northeast this summer, and the thought of leaving my dog behind is killing me! 21 hours in a car????
By Me
February 25, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this
My ‘granddog’ went to Cape San Blas, FL with us…it is a ‘dog friendly’ beach, and we found a wonderful ‘dog friendly’ house (immaculate, who’da thunk it?). We did pay extra-a non-refundable ‘pet fee,’ no more than $75 if memory serves…it was a great week.
We did bring her crate, and only put her in it when we went out to dinner…we took her to the beach and every other place we went.
Now, I have my OWN dog, and am looking forward to going back there! Both of “the girls” love the car, and are really easy going, which makes life easier.
I don’t think I’d take them on a plane (too big), but am considering making a trip back to the northeast this summer, and the thought of leaving my dog behind is killing me! 21 hours in a car????
By Tanya
February 25, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this
I love dogs and my sister in law has one I help take care of. But I don’t think I would take my dog on vacation with me if it was a long one and only if I was driving. I wouldn’t want to have to worry about where I could take hima nd where I couldn’t. I would never want tot ake my dog on a flight, I’ve heard a lot of very bad things can happen. I also don’t think it’s a good idea tot ake your dog everywhere especially enlcosed spaces like a airplane since I’d be worried about other passengers who may have allergies.
By RobbieSue
February 25, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this
I recently returned from a trip to Colorado that we had planned to take our 5 pound Yorkie on with us to stay in the Pet Friendly ski lodge. Until I found out the airline was going to charge MORE for the little 5 pound dog that fits in my purse than they charged for my plane ticket!!
By John
February 25, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
We use HomeAway.com to find pet friendly places to stay when to travel. Once you get to the area on their page you want to stay at, you can refine your search to pet friendly, down the page on the left side. Like me at 12:58 said, there is usually a pet deposit, but having your own condo, house or townhouse instead of a hotel room is wonderful. We have stayed at both Charleston SC and Myrtle Beach SC. Both places had nice, clean places to stay, and the price was not more than staying at a hotel.
By Lori
February 25, 2009 1:56 PM | Link to this
I would never take my dogs on a plane. The airlines do not guaranty they will make it there alive!!! That said, I have taken them on some driving vacations. Even if the hotel allows pets, you have to consider what you will be doing while you are on vacation. The hotel may allow pets, but what about all the entertainment you have planned. Are you just going to leave the dog cooped up in hotel all week? Camping is a good dog friendly vacation, but you can’t really leave the dog unattended in a tent (better if you have an rv). My favorite places to take my pets is the mountains. We rent a cabin up in Chattanooga or Galtinburg. The dogs are happy even if they have to stay in while we are out because they have the whole house to explore, not just a tiny hotel room. And there is tons for them to explore outside as well (just don’t leave them alone - bears, yikes!!!). But by far I leave my poor dogs at home most vacations, but I choose to have a trusted neighbor or friend watch them at my place, rather than boarding them. Much less stress on everyone.
By doglvr
February 25, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
I wanted to mention that also Residence Inn’s are usually very pet friendly hotels with a FEE. I think some Holiday Inn’s are also becoming pet-friendly. But that does not mean you should not have your pet in a crate when you are not there. They should always be crated and technically you are not suppose to leave them in the room alone. Also, a reminder that you should NEVER NEVER leave your dog in the car at any time especailly while on vacation summer months. They shouldn’t be with you if you have to leave them in the car.
By HSimpson
February 25, 2009 9:50 PM | Link to this
A little off-topic, but why do you have a 7 week old puppy? It sounds like you’ve had the puppy for at least a little while. Most recommend to wait until the puppy is at least 8 weeks before separating the pup from its mom.
By 2 dogs
February 25, 2009 11:02 PM | Link to this
One comment about Yellowstone: Do not take a dog to Yellowstone. With the exception of service dogs, dogs are not allowed on the boardwalks and trails any where in the park. We are yearly visitors to Yellowstone and have been for the past 25 years and never bring our dogs. There are no park kennels, summers are too warm to leave pets in the car, the park hotels will not allow them in the rooms. Not sure about the cabins. Do not bring them.
By Rebecca
February 25, 2009 11:25 PM | Link to this
We absolutely do travel with our 2 Labs and have gotten a lot of great reviews from Fido Friendly magazine. I think this comes out every other month and they list places that accept pets and write reviews. One place we stayed at when traveling to California was the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort. This place was so elegant, but they greeted our 2 dogs like family. Very cool.
By shelley
February 26, 2009 8:01 AM | Link to this
My two dogs flew Delta from Sacramento CA to Atlanta and when my hubby went to pick them up at the airport he witnessed the cargo people at Delta kicking their dog crates. I have to say my golden retriever and my black lab had diarrhea for a week after that experience. This was way back on 2003. I will never put a dog on an airplane ever again. In fact when we left Atlanta I drove my mini van across the country so my black lab would not go through that experience ever again!!
By shelley
February 26, 2009 8:02 AM | Link to this
My two dogs flew Delta from Sacramento CA to Atlanta and when my hubby went to pick them up at the airport he witnessed the cargo people at Delta kicking their dog crates. I have to say my golden retriever and my black lab had diarrhea for a week after that experience. This was way back on 2003. I will never put a dog on an airplane ever again. In fact when we left Atlanta I drove my mini van across the country so my black lab would not go through that experience ever again!!
By peter
February 26, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this
Thought I’d mention another great pet travel wed site — petsonthego.com. Has all sorts of terrific info on hotels, how to prepare your pet for trips, and much more….
By Jerri
February 27, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this
What a great article about pet travel. As a pet friendly cabin rental company in the North Georgia Mountains and guardians of 4 fur babies, we agree whole-heartedly that taking your dog on vacation with you is a fun, stress-free way to travel. There are many places within a short drive of metro-Atlanta that will not only accommodate the fur-babies but welcome them with open arms. Not only do you remove the cost of the air travel, you don’t have to worry about airline misshaps.