Those endless images of celebs jetting around with their purse-sized pooches finally got to me. My own dog hardly qualifies as “hot”: the aptly-named Flopsy is a run-of-the-mill cocker spaniel notable only for her extra-long ears. Yet I figured she too deserved something better than a quick run to the cottage. And it seems I’m not alone. Today, dog travel is a bone-afide trend. In fact, one industry poll shows that almost 80 percent of vacationing animals are canines, with cats coming in a distant second at 15 percent. Nevertheless, Flopsy and I have discovered that “ruffing it” does pose a few challenges.
Take It or Leave It
Before you start slapping your thighs and hollering “Come on, girl” consider how willing you really are to make concessions on your holiday. Planning marathon drives followed by spontaneous stops at quaint inns? How about long, leisurely dinners and hours of sightseeing, shopping or spa-going? In fairness to Fido, such activities have to be limited. If that’s fine by you, the next step is determining whether your potential travel partner is up to the journey.
With dogs that are very young, very old, or otherwise infirm, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Ditto for perfectly fit animals who are confirmed homebodies. Sure, their behaviour can be modified (the standard trick is to take short, fun trips gradually lengthening the duration). But ideally your companion will enjoy the experience, not merely tolerate it. So ones that are easily stressed out by new situations or—heaven forbid—plagued by chronic motion sickness are best left behind with a qualified sitter.
Before Em-bark-ing
If you are both good to go, visit your vet no more than ten days before departing to get updated health certificates and vaccination records. Having the proper paperwork not only allows for faster, more effective treatment in an emergency: it is typically required for pets traveling by air, crossing international borders, or using day-boarding facilities. While at the vet, also stock up on meds and ask about any special concerns in the locale you’re visiting (Lyme disease, for one, is an issue on the Eastern Seaboard).
