Traveling Together

Do you travel with your dog?

Take vacations together?

Here is one dog and human team that has been traveling together for nearly five years. Talk about bonding!

Ara Gureghian and his dog, Spirit have been traveling across America on a motorbike equipped with a special side car for his canine buddy. For this man and his best friend it is about the spiritual journey for there is no destination.

They like to travel slowing to take in all the sights. Ara has been posting stories and photographs about their travels on the Internet. His photography is awesome! Be sure to visit his website. You can also experience "the ride" as you watch the videos. The SPOT satellite tracker enables you to track their journey.

They seem to favor the big open spaces, the type of spectacular terrain found in Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. The last post was from Texas.

It sounds as if Ara and Spirit have developed a special relationship traveling the highways of America.

Dogs ready to travel:



See Spirit on the website.

Dogs and Motion Sickness

Did you know that motion sickness could also affect your dog?

Motion sickness is an illness associated with motion – as in a car, a boat or an airplane. Since vacations typically involve traveling, dogs prone to motion sickness do not always enjoy the trek to the final destination.

The cause of motion sickness is stimulation of the vestibular apparatus located within the inner ear. When this apparatus is stimulated, your dog feels dizzy and nausea may develop. Usually, the signs of motion sickness stop when the vehicle stops moving. Pets afflicted with motion sickness begin drooling, feel nauseated and may even develop vomiting or diarrhea. If your pet is known to experience motion sickness that is not easily treated, you may want to reconsider bringing him/her along on vacation.

Treatment

There are various ways to treat and even overcome motion sickness.

Frequently, the signs of motion sickness can be overcome by conditioning the pet to travel. Slow, short and frequent trips in the vehicle, gradually increasing length of the ride, can help condition your dog.

Some dogs cannot be conditioned and medication is necessary. Commonly used medications to help reduce the nausea associated with motion sickness include diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), meclizine (Bonine®) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®). These medications are available without a prescription but should never be used unless specifically recommended by a veterinarian. Proper dosage and use are crucial to treating and diminishing the signs of motion sickness.

For some pets, the motion sickness and anxiety associated with travel is so severe that sedatives are necessary. Commonly used sedatives include acepromazine and phenobarbital. These are available by prescription and should be used with caution in animals traveling by airplane because of the possibility of side effects. In a cargo hold, there is little direct supervision of animals, so side effects may go unnoticed. In addition, there is little chance that a pet can receive medical help while the airplane is in the air.

Previous blogs discussed both traveling on an airplane with your dog and whether or not to sedate your dog.

Travel Ideas With Your Dog

Vacationing with your dog?

Here are some travel ideas...

Throughout North America, many inns, lodges and Bed & Breakfast places allow pets. Some even have pet vacation packages available.

Once you have decided on a place to stay, you have many activities to chose from. Some people include their pets on walking tours through towns or historic areas. Hiking is also a popular activity. Some national parks allow pets but some do not. Make sure you check with the park service before planning your vacation.

Camping with your pet is another alternative. Again, if you plan to camp at a national park, check with the park service to make sure your dog will be welcome. Biking vacations are becoming more common and the number of people including their pets is growing. Even if you do not bring a bicycle with you, most towns have bike rental places that can supply the necessary equipment.

Water sports are yet another activity in which you can include your pet. Swimming, boating and fishing as well as traveling in canoes or pontoon boats are all possible. Depending on the breed, this may be the best vacation possible for a water loving dog.

And finally, for the wild at heart, you can even include your pet on a gondola tram ride over treacherous canyon or attach your dog to your waist, slap on some skis and go skijoring!

There are many activities available that you can enjoy with your pet. Remember, the most important part of any vacation is to have a wonderful relaxing time!!

New Travel Trend

Travelers can be provided with dogs for companionship while staying at certain hotels. It is one way to meet people and also to be alone without being lonely.

At the Bedford Hotel in San Francisco, for many years Bill Kimpton has been visiting every day with his Collie Chianti. It has prompted about 15 hotels in the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant chain to keep well-trained dogs on staff. The dogs (many are rescue dogs) live full-time with employees who bring them to work each day. The dogs welcome guests with their enthusiastic wag, help the concierge make suggestions for pet-friendly spots, host the complimentary evening wine hour, sniff our potential pet amenities and services, and make guest appearances. Other hotels known to have dogs on staff include the Fairmont and Ritz-Carlton.

The Aspen Animal Shelter has run a very popular rent-a-dog program where tourists pick a dog to take with them around town or on trails. This program is about 10 years old and is FREE. Sometimes the dog even gets adopted!

Traveling with Dogs

Dogs love to go for car rides. For many dogs, their favorite words are "bye-bye". I have seen dogs jump, prance, smile and bark with delight at the thought of a car ride. How many times have you seen dogs hanging out the car window? Or on the owner's lap looking as happy as can be?

Yes, going for a ride in the car can be fun, but driving with dogs can also be very dangerous to both you and your dog.

There are some very common dangers and causes of injuries that can be prevented – and if you understand them, it will help keep you and your dog safe.

1. Jumpers – Many dogs love to hang out windows and watch what goes by, enjoying the feel of the air in their hair. Some dogs will jump out of an open car window, even though their owners would have sworn they would never do that. One day – for some reason – something extra excites them and out they go. Ebony did this after a rabbit!

2. Air and eye injuries – Some dogs that hang their head out of an open car window can obtain injures when things that are flying in the air hit their head or eyes. When these objects hit the dog's eyes it can cause corneal ulcers and injuries.

3.Airbags – Dogs can be severely (even fatally) injured by airbag deployment. For this reason, many dog seats and harnesses are created for use in the back seat.

4.Distraction – Dogs distract drivers. I have seen excited dogs on their owner's lap moving back and forth from the passenger window to the drivers' window.

5.Slowed reaction time – With a dog on your lap, your ability to drive and react quickly is impaired. Drivers are often unable to make a quick turn with their dog on their lap.

6.Injury in crashes – Pets can be severely injured in crashes and, when they are unrestrained, they can run out of the car and suffer even more injuries. Some have even run away.

7.Foot petal problems – Some dogs (and cats) love to get down by the floor, under the seat or near the foot petals.

Less than 20% of dog owners use some sort of harness or seat belt to restrain their dog while in a car. Seat belts and car seats are especially made to keep dogs safe.

Returning Home

Nearly a month in Greece, I was greeted by an exuberant dog.

No surprise, right?!

Next, I noticed she had gained weight. Did the caretaker give into my dog's begging or did the caretaker over feed her, I wonder?

Then, I laughed because I certainly over ate while in Greece and was feeling a bit pudgy myself.

Need I say, Greek food is FABULOUS!?!?.

Thus, Ebony and I are now on a weight loss program with plenty of exercise. I figure in a month we should both be back to normal.

Dog Sitters

I am heading off to Greece tomorrow! Through a friend I have found a reliable pet sitter that will also tend to my house.

How do you find reliable dog sitters when you travel?

Here are a number of things that you might think about doing to find care for your pet and to ease your mind while you are away from home.

A Friend Or Neighbor At The Home

Do you have a trusted friend or neighbor? Some animals, cats in particular, prefer a familiar surrounding. Assess what your pets needs are and determine if the pet staying at home is an option for you. A friend who adores your pets and would not mind house sitting might be a particularly good option for you. If you have cats that are very low maintenance, perhaps a neighbor can check in on them a minimum of every other day to change litter and give them affection.

A Friend Or Neighbor Away From Home

This option would most likely pertain to only dogs. Dogs are okay with a change in routine and may even be excited for a little adventure. Make sure that the person who is caring for these pets have all of the appropriate tools to feed, groom, walk, and care for your pet from their home.

Pet Providers

There are a number of web sites available that offer services of pet caregivers. These are people who sign up to a site and are paid to watch your pets from your home or just walk them (live in or out). These web sites can do background checks, provide references, and sort providers by the amount of pay, experience, distance, and amount of work that they do. These people range from college students who need extra income to people who work regularly caring for animals at vets, shelters, and grooming facilities. Make sure to interview and introduce your pet to them before hiring, research their background thoroughly, and hire only if and when you feel you have make a decision you can be comfortable with. Once you do find someone you like and trust, a pet provider can be great to have around, especially for short term care or last minute trips.

Pet Boarding

There are many pet boarding facilities that range in price and level of care for your pets. Be prepared to do a little leg work ahead of time in making sure the dates you choose are available, your animals are treated ahead of time for fleas or other conditions, your animals have shots that are up to date, and be sure that the conditions are ones in which your animals will be safe and happy. Ask how often they are given affection, meals, treats, walks, medication, etc. and tour the facility. Another option might be to find a pet boarding facility at your vacation destination. If this option is feasible you may have to drive or fly with the animals, but can check in on them periodically.

Leave Detailed Instructions

Whatever option you decide to choose, be sure to leave a detailed note listing the routine and care procedures for your animals. Times of feeding, litter changing, walks, grooming, medications, and toy and bedding preferences should all be listed. Do not forget to leave emergency phone numbers for your cell phone, vacation destination, and a phone number and address of the closest veterinary clinic. You also might consider speaking with your vet and leaving instructions for emergency care. Your vet will need the name of the caregiver and billing instructions.

With the proper pet sitter, supplies, and instructions, you can take that relaxing and stress free vacation without worry!

No Dog Left Behind

I picked up the 2009 September/October addition of the American Automobile Association (AAA) magazine to find an article about Northwest places for you and your dog.

The place that came highly rated was Harrison House Suites in Friday Harbor because the owners make dog biscuits in eight flavors. Also there is a Downtown Dog's Bow Wow Bus for field trips to local dog hot spots.

At the Lake Chelan Winery, dogs can sit on the tasting porch.

The Dining Dog Cafe and Bakery in Edmonds is a restaurant for dogs serving everything from cocktails to desserts.

The article lists several parks, hikes, and places to stay in Washington.

In addition, two books were hightly recommended: The Dog Lover's Companion to the Pacific Northwest by Val Mallinson; Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook.

Let's go, Ebony!