Article Title: Pets On Vacation: Easy
Author: Jennifer Brown
Family vacations used to involve Parents, the Kids, and
sometimes Grandma. These days, taking a family vacation might
also mean bringing Fido along for the ride.
Taking pets on vacation might seem like a great idea. After
all, who would enjoy the endless expanse of tropical beach more
than your Frisbee-catching golden retriever? But to make it a
great vacation for everyone, you need to look after every
detail and prepare for any situation.
Getting There
If you're traveling in the car, be sure that your pet will be
comfortable for the entire trip. Nothing spoils a family
vacation quite like a dog with motion sickness. Plan ahead to
help your pet become familiar with long journeys. Start with
short trips to get both of you used to traveling together, and
then gradually increase the length of your drives. Stick to
your regular feeding routine, and wait until you've arrived at
your destination to give your pet a big meal. Dry food is more
convenient to use while traveling. Finally, never let your pet
ride on your lap while you're driving. It's dangerous for you,
for the animal and for everyone else on the road.
If, on the other hand, you'll be traveling by bus, boat, train
or airplane, check for rules and restrictions and make
arrangements for your pet while you're booking your tickets.
Don't Put Yourself in the Doghouse
Taking your pets on vacation is only half the battle. You also
need to keep them on vacation, so be sure that your hosts or
holiday accommodations will welcome your furry friend. If
you're staying with friends or family, be considerate. Ask in
advance if your pet is welcome, and expect an honest answer.
Some people are allergic or just uncomfortable around animals.
If you've booked a hotel room or campsite, make sure that pets
are allowed on the premises.
Stay Boy, Stay
The reality of taking pets on vacation is that you will likely
not be with them every hour of every day. Chances are, your pet
will not be welcome in the hotel dining room, in the amusement
park, on the ski lift or aboard the fishing charter. There will
be times when your pet will have to stay alone. If your pet is
prone to barking, make other arrangements as a courtesy to
other hotel guests. When you leave the pet in the room, make
sure that you place the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door, and
tell the hotel supervisor or housekeeping staff what is going
on. A portable kennel is useful at times like these, especially
if you're staying in someone's home.
May I See Some I.D?
Your pet needs to be properly tagged, whether you're traveling
by car or by plane. Make sure that he or she has a current tag
containing the proper identification. We've all seen those
tear-jerking tales of animals that find their way home from the
other side of the country, but you don't want to risk having it
happen to your pet. Bring along a copy of your pet's medical
history, including medications and recent immunization. This
information is essential is crossing state or international
borders. Tell your vet that you're planning to travel, just to
be sure that your pet can handle it.
Pack for Your Pet
Don't forget Fido while your family is getting ready for
vacation. Having pets groomed before vacation time helps them
look neat and tidy, and makes them more comfortable for the
trip. Pack along your pet's favorite food dish, snacks and toys
to make him or her feel more at home and relaxed.
Your pet is one of the family, so naturally you want to include
him or her in your family vacation plans. If done successfully,
bringing pets on vacation can be a fun experience for all of
you. Think ahead and you'll all have a tail-wagging good time!
About The Author: Jennifer Brown writes for several Internet
magazines, including http://cheap-
http://lyroz.
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