The Right Dog and the Right Place

Sadie's Close Up

Podcast Script:

Thank you for joining the Traveling Fur Kids podcast – a podcast series for dog lovers looking for travel tips, reviews and stories about vacationing with our furry friends.

Let’s get started on this fur-tastic journey.

So you love the freedom of traveling the open road to new, exciting destinations. But you also love hanging out with your pup. Well, you can have the best of both worlds by travel with your dog.

But, is traveling with your fur kid even an option?

Quite possibly! But there are a few important details to consider before setting out on your adventure. This episode will discuss how to determine the right dog and the right time for traveling with a pet.

First, determine if your dog is up for travel. This is the most important consideration – as a miserable travel companion does not lend to fun trip, even if the companion is cute and furry. If your dog doesn’t like being in a car, she may not be a good road trip co-pilot. But if your dog gets excited at the mere opportunity of jumping in the car and hanging her head out the window, you may have the perfect candidate! Take a few practice runs. Before you take an extended road trip, try a short day-trip to a fun location that both you and your dog can enjoy. If your dog loves it, you have a winner!

Second, make sure the vacation location is suitable for your pet. Be sure you are traveling to a place that can accommodate your pet. Check with hotels and resorts for pet policies and pet fees. And if you’re visiting family or friends on your vacation, ask to make sure your pet is welcome first. Research your location to be sure there are fun activities in the area that can include your dog.

And finally, be considerate of the time you will have to spend with your pooch. Bring your dog along if know you will have time to spend with her. It would be unfair to drag the dog along just to leave her locked in a hotel room all day while you explore the sites. Of course you cannot take your dog everywhere, but make time for fun adventures that can include your dog – like hiking, walks on the beach, or even fun restaurants that permit dogs.

Couple on Beach with Dogs, Captiva Island, FL - 2009

Once you’ve determined you have the right dog, right location and can ensure quality time with your pup, you are all set for your adventure.

Please join me in the next episode where we’ll start exploring some fun dog friendly locations to vacation with your pet. Until next time…happy trails and wagging tails!

My Favorite Websites for Planning Pet Friendly Vacations

Don't Forget the Dog!

You’re planning on traveling with your pet, but where should you stay? There are many different travel websites designed specifically to help pet owners find hotels, resorts and bed and breakfast location that allow pets.

1) BringFido - http://www.bringfido.com/

BringFido supports searches for dog friendly locations around the world. Search for lodging, air travel, local attractions, restaurants and services in the United States and abroad, including Canada, Central and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. The site also provides a list of pet policies for various airlines. A quick, one-stop-shop to research your vacation options that can include your pet.

2) Petswelcome.com - http://hotels.petswelcome.com/
Check out petswelcome.com to find Hotels in the United States that will welcome your furry friend. 

3) Trips with Pets - https://www.tripswithpets.com/
Trips with Pets also allows pet lovers to search pet friendly destinations. The site includes travel tips, suggested travel supplies and even pet friendly activities.

4) Priceline.com - https://www.priceline.com/home/?lrdr=secure
Interested in using a discount sites to book your travel, you still can. Priceline.com also offers options to narrow down travel searches by selecting the “Pets Allowed” amenities. 

These are just a few of the many sites created to help you plan your pet friendly vacation. And when in doubt, call the location you would like to visit to see if your dog is welcome. Just one more possibly for ensuring happy trails and wagging tails.

Sadie's First Road Trip

Texas Road Trip

I’ll never forget my first bona fide road trip with my dog, Sadie. My family invited me to bring her along for Christmas, so I decided to drive home. I was excited to take my car out on the open road for more than a few hours and the drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Austin, TX is 19 hours.

I’m one of those people who really enjoys driving and embraces every opportunity for a road trip. I find it relaxing, fun and always an adventure. I find a solo road trip to be very invigorating, rocking out to music or catching up on the latest audible book. I also enjoy a road troop with a rowdy group of friends. And this time, it was just me and the dog. My dear mother was worried about me driving this far alone, to which I explained, “I’m not alone, I have the Sadie.” At only 7 lbs Sadie wasn’t really a personal protection dog, but she could definitely bark and make noise. I was not concerned.

I wasn’t sure how Sadie would be on a trip this long. She loved riding in the car. I thought maybe she loved adventure as much as I did. Perhaps. Or perhaps she just liked being with me.

On the Road

Naturally, I over packed. In addition to my three suitcases - I’m a very gifted over packer - she had her own bag full of toys, food, medicine, two leashes, a play pen, blankets, dog coats and more treats than she could possibly eat in two weeks.  I buckled her into her car seat and we were ready to begin the Christmas Road Trip of 2013!

Sadie was so excited to not be left behind. So excited that she threw up all over her blanket in the first five minutes. Note to self, do not feed the dog right before a car ride. After a quick pit stop to clean up – thank goodness for that second blanker – we were back on the open road.

Sadie took her co-pilot duties seriously, at least for the first 15 minutes. Then she fell asleep. In fact, she slept for most of the trip. But it was comforting just to look over and see the little dog sleeping and sometimes awake with a big smile. Most importantly, she kept be alert, as I had to stop every few hours to let her walk, have a drink and perhaps a little kibble.

Nola Fur Friend, Bayou

Frenemy #1 - Sadie I

I also made plans to stop and visit a friend in New Orleans, one night on the way to Texas and several days on the way back to Florida. My friend, Alyssa, knew and loved my dog. She looked forward to our visit. It was my first time to see her place and meet her new rescue dog, Bayou.  Sadie and Bayou made fast friends, taking a walk together as soon as we arrived through the winter streets of New Orleans.  My Sadie also got to see her old cat frenemy, Sadie I. Side note: my Sadie is actually Sadie II. Since my friend and I met after getting our Sadie’s, we differentiate them with Sadie I and Sadie II. Sadie II had a great time with her fury friends, especially during our extended stay on the way back. She enjoyed time in City Park, a giant park that allows dogs, with wonderful Christmas decorations.

Christmas 2013 - Not Amused, Still Adorable

 Once we made to my parent’s home, Sadie was quickly spoiled with endless treats and affection. My family enjoyed her and she has an open invitation to come back and visit. For me, it was great to have her along for the ride – it allowed me to have a flexible schedule. I could stay longer - which I did - without having to worry about the dog. I was glad she got to hang out with my family. My father took significant pleasure in spoiling her rotten. And while I truly enjoyed this taking this picture Sadie by the tree, I’m pretty sure it was Sadie’s least favorite part of the trip.

It was great to have Sadie along for the trip. She has since taken many more road trips, and is often specifically requested by other people to come along on vacation. She’s that charming.

Moral of the story? If you want to travel with the dog and the dog wants to travel with you – why not? You’d be surprised at how rewarding it is to bring a grateful, excited pup along for the ride. Not to mention sweet, shared memories with your furry friend!