When Dogs Fly: Traveling With Your Pet

Exactly one week after I found Skipper in a shelter and adopted her last summer, JM and I were scheduled to take our vacation to my parents' lake house. It was unfortunate timing, but I was sure that Skip was "the one" for us (I was right!) and didn't feel good about leaving her in the shelter for one more minute than we had to. I also didn't feel right about putting her in a kennel or leaving her with  a dog-sitter the week after we got her. So, it seemed my choices were to cancel our vacation or to take her with us.
However, when I went online to search out the whole taking-a-dog-on-an-airplane process, I searched high and low (I'm pretty sure I went to the End of the Internet), and was amazed at how little good information there is out there on the topic. For our first flight with her, I basically winged it (get it?), and happily all went well. Skip has now flown and driven all over the country with us, and is a very happy seasoned traveler.  So I decided to write a post to clear the whole process up, once and for all. Here is everything you need to know about traveling with a dog, hoping that it will make the experience just a little less... ruff.

Dog-Friendly Destinations
The first question you need to ask yourself is whether the place you are traveling to is appropriate for dogs. Skip loves our parents' backyards in California and Boston, and the woods and lake Up North, and she is always welcomed warmly in our families' homes. However, when we travel to big unfamiliar cities, or anywhere for a wedding that will keep us busy all weekend, we always leave her home with a sitter. Sure, there are plenty of hotels that would let us bring her (click here for a list), but how miserable will she be locked up in a hotel room all day? Your dog isn't a toy- make sure you consider her comfort and happiness before you book a trip with her.

Cabin Pressure
If you are planning to fly with your dog, exact rules vary from airline to airline, but the basics are roughly the same. Dogs may fly within the continental U.S., with more strict rules and restrictions for flights to Hawaii or internationally. Some airlines require vet records, as well, so check with the airline before you book. Dogs that are 20 lbs or under and can fit comfortably in a bag 12" X 12" x 19" or smaller (Skip has this one) are allowed to travel in the cabin with you and be placed under the seat in front of you. Larger or heavier dogs must be put in a hard carrier and shipped in the baggage hold. Being sent in the baggage hold can be a pretty intense and traumatic experience for your pup (it can be very dark, loud, and cold or hot down there), so I would suggest only doing it when absolutely necessary, like a cross-country move. Otherwise, I would leave your big dog with a trusted friend, or drive wherever you're going, instead.
Comparatively, traveling inside the cabin with you is quite comfortable for your pup. Just make sure you acquaint your dog with her carrier well before the trip (to do so, put treats and favorite toys in there, and leave it open on the ground until she climbs in herself). Skip loves her bag, and sleeps contentedly through most flights. However, there is a catch to this- you will be charged to bring your dog on board ($50-150 each way) and your dog carrier counts as a carry-on, so you will likely also have to check baggage. Also, airlines limit the number of animals on each flight, so be sure to reserve Spot's spot well ahead of time.

In the Airport
Be sure to allow your dog to go to the bathroom before you enter the airport (some terminals even have designated pet areas, but most will at least have a patch of grass outside). Once inside the airport, your dog will need to be contained in her carrier- you don't want her distracting the bomb sniffing dogs, do you? When you go through security, her carrier will need to go through the x-ray machine, without her in it (unlike the fool smuggler who put a dog through the machine in the photo above). Right before you go through the metal detector, take your dog out of her carrier (removing her collar and leash) and carry her through with you. On the other side, return her to her bag (it's not a bad idea to keep some treats in your pocket to coax her back in).  Never drug your dog before a flight- drugs make your dog unable to maintain her own equilibrium, making her more likely to be injured or become motion sick in transit. If your dog is an anxious flier, you probably shouldn't be forcing her to fly.

On the Road
Most dogs love a road trip (think Travels with Charley), what with all the new sights and smells, and all that time to hang their heads out the window and let their ears flap in the wind. If you decide to take a trip with your dog, though, make sure to stop every few hours at a rest stop to let her stretch her legs, pee and drink a little water. Plan your meal breaks to be short, so you don't leave your dog waiting in a hot car for too long (be sure to roll down the window a bit), and research your hotels ahead of time to make sure they will allow your buddy in the room with you. And if your doggy is the carsick type, don't force the issue.

On A Train or Bus
Technically, dogs (other than service animals) are not allowed on Greyhound or Amtrak. However, I have seen plenty of pups board the Acela, without so much as a second glance by the conductor. Smaller, regional train lines (like the LIRR or MetroNorth) often allow well-behaved dogs on board, so check their policies ahead of time. Never try to smuggle your dog in somewhere she isn't wanted- it can only end badly for both of you.


If All Else Fails...
Some dogs just aren't meant to be jet setters- your motion-sickness-suffering Great Dane, for instance. In that case, make sure you have a wonderful dog-sitter you can count on when you have to leave her. Whether it's a dog-loving friend or a professional, you should feel confident that your dog is in good hands.   If you don't know where to look, ask your vet, trainer, or groomer for recommendations- who knows? One of these people your dog already knows may even be willing to board your little buddy with them.

Happy Travels!

photo credit: Daily Mail UK

Skip's Tips: 10 Things I've Learned From My Dog

This Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the day we brought our sweet little beagle Skipper home from the shelter.  She has since become my constant companion, my best (non-human) friend, my confidante (she's excellent at keeping secrets), and my shadow. And while I'd like to say that I've taught her a lot in these twelve months (e.g. roll over), upon reflection, it seems she has taught me even more. Here is just a sampling of good ideas I have picked up from watching my little dog interact in the world.

1. Naps Are Awesome.  Skip spends about 18 hours of every day snoozing. Whether it's on her favorite wingback chair, in a small patch of sun on the kitchen floor, or on JM's lap the minute he sits down, she takes the most wonderful looking naps all over the apartment (so good, in fact, that her tail frequently wags in her sleep). But the second the buzzer rings, JM walks in the door, or I open the closet where I keep her leash, she pops up, full of energy and raring to go. I now approach naps with the same philosophy- find a comfy spot anywhere (no darkness or bedding necessary), close your eyes for a few minutes and just enjoy the relaxing feeling. Whether you fall asleep or not, it does wonders for recharging your batteries.

2. Anywhere Is A Good Place To Make New Friends. It is difficult to walk Skipper around the block quickly, because she approaches everyone we encounter (canine or human) with an irresistible smile and wagging tail. Before we got her, we hadn't met a single one of our neighbors, but after this year, we know everyone (and every chihuahua, basset hound, and dachshund) on the block. And she is completely non-discerning- she loves little kids, surly teens, homeless people, and cops all equally. She even loves the vet and the mailman. Through her, I have made great new friendships with everyone from the five-year-old downstairs to the dry cleaning delivery guy to every doorman this side of Central Park.

3. Greet Like You Mean It. Whether you have been out all day, or just went around the corner to get a coffee, Skipper will greet you upon your return as if you were made out of beef jerky. It is hard to feel down on yourself, even on the worst day, when there is someone waiting for you at home for whom you are the whole world. I try to remember to express that same joy and love when JM walks in the door after work (although it's awfully hard to top the dog).






4. Food Is A Wonderful Thing. I have always been a great appreciator of food, but no one loves food more than my pup (probably because she was so underfed in her early life). Every day at mealtime I am reminded of the Far Side cartoon which shows two dogs being fed, and one is saying to the other, "Oh boy! Dog food again!"- that's Skip.  I try to remember to savor my food as much as she does, and to be grateful for all that we have, when there are so many who do with so much less.

5. Be Curious. Skipper is endlessly fascinated by everything that goes on around her- whether it's an ant trail on the sidewalk, a newspaper blowing in the wind, or the sound of drunk kids down on the street making their way home. Watching her frequently makes me notice wonderful things that would have otherwise passed me by. And if curiosity killed the cat... well, that's just fine with Skipper.

6. Persistence And Patience Pay Off. When we first got Skip, we were determined to keep her off the furniture. She would hop up and we would gently push her off, over and over again. After about two weeks, we realized we sort of liked having her up with us, and she won. While I'm not so proud of my dog-training skills, she has reminded me to try to apply that same kind of moxie and never-give-up attitude to my own endeavors.

7. Forgive. Over the course of this year, part of the problem with the "shadow" thing is that I have accidentally stepped on, kicked, and sent Skipper flying with a hastily opened door. I have cut her nails too short, dressed her in mortifying outfits, attempted to brush her teeth, and dragged her from her hiding places to force her into the most dreaded and terrifying warm baths. And every time, without a moment's hesitation, she has forgiven me and showered me with love.  It is not hard to admire this as a virtue (even if you think she only does so because she knows I'm the keeper of the #4).

8. A Good Personality Goes A Long Way. Conversely, Skipper leaves an endless trail of dog hair all over our apartment which daily sweeping and lint-rolling does little to combat. She eats JM's snacks off the coffee table, leaves disgustingly chewed-up toys all over the apartment, gets into anything you leave unguarded below waist-level, and occasionally forgets her housetraining. All of this would be unbearable in a dog of lessor virtue, but one look at her waggily tail and, um, puppy-dog eyes, and she wins us over again. When in doubt, it seems a kind heart, good intentions, and a goofy smile can cover a multitude of sins.

9. Make Your Own Fun. In the few hours a day that Skipper is not sleeping, she can be found engaging in some seriously ridiculous behavior. Whether it's wrestling and pouncing on a rubber band, sniffing around the kitchen for errant crumbs, running laps around our ottoman, or trying to climb into the pile of warm, clean laundry as I fold it, she is a gal who knows how to have a good time.  We'd all do well to have such  joie de vivre.

10. There Is Dignity In Resilience. When we got her, Skipper was underweight, scabby, suffering from parasites and infections, and had recently given birth to a litter of puppies (when she herself was still just a puppy). Despite all that, she is a warm, loving, goofy, funny, exceedingly friendly pup, with surprisingly little baggage.  Would that we could all emerge from our hardships with such grace.

Oh, and...
11. Squirrels And Vacuums Are A Menace And Must Be Destroyed. I'm less convinced about this one, but she makes a pretty strong and compelling case.

Friday Styles: For the Dogs

Most of the time, writing this blog is one of the high points of my day. It is my hobby and my great escape. But, for some reason, all the pleasure and joy I take in blogging goes out the window on Fridays, like a miracle in reverse. So my latest solution to this problem is to start a new feature: Friday Styles. These posts will feature something that I own that I think is awesome, and that I think you should probably buy, too. Hopefully, this will also help me rediscover all the great stuff I have stashed away in my place, and remember to be grateful for it. I hope you enjoy.

I know that ever since we adopted our beagle, Skipper, I have turned into one of those new parents who gushes over every silly thing their little darling does as if it's worthy of national media coverage. I mean, I think my dog is a genius and the cutest thing that ever lived, but I'm not so far gone that I don't realize that you might not share my opinion when she jumps onto your lap, rips your tights and licks your face with kibble-breath.
And, as much as I love man's best friend, I was very resistant to all of the accessories one is required to acquire when one invites a canine to share one's abode. I tried to go minimalist, but once we got the crate, the bed, the bag, the bowls, the food bins, the baby gate, the leashes and, ugh, doggy clothes into our apartment, I realized that a 19-lb dog actually requires 100 lbs of junk. As I pondered this, I heard JM emit a long, tortured sigh from the other side of the mountain of dog stuff.
Happily, I found a charming and rich-looking dog bed that looks perfect on the oriental rug in our living room, at, of all places, Petco, for just $49. So much better looking than most of the standard-issue options, it's a plush, comfy spot where Skip loves to lounge. It's rugged enough that I can just run the vacuum over it, and the cover is removable, so I can wash it if it ever gets truly filthy. It's Skip's second-favorite place to sit in the living room. After your lap.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh. ~W.H. Auden

What's the Schmata?

We tried. We really did. When we got Skipper, we were determined not to become those people who treat their dog like a child- talking to it in a baby voice, dressing it up in little clothes, and letting it up on the furniture like it owns the place. A dog is a dog, we averred.
But flash-forward six months and, well, I need someone to talk to during the day, and she gets cold and shivery without her puffy jacket on her walk. We held out the longest on letting her up on the furniture, not wanting to deal with the hair (and also because we saw the sidewalks where her paws had been- yuck). But, she's a little dog, so there's plenty of room for her between us on the couch, and it's so much easier to pet and cuddle with her when she's up with us, instead of having to get down on the ground at her level.
Luckily, before we totally caved, I talked to my friend, Randi, and she introduced me to the concept of the "couch schmata." Schmata, she explained, is a Yiddish word for a rag- in this case, a junky old blanket or sheet that you can throw over the couch before you let the dog up on it, protecting your slipcovers or upholstery from their claws and fur. We use an old cotton cable-knit blanket with a big hole in it. Most of the time we keep it hanging over the back of the couch (folded so the hole doesn't show), and pull it down when Skip hops up. We also spread it out on those not-so-rare occasions when we sit and eat dinner on the couch in front of the TV. When the blanket gets too gross or hairy, or when JM or I drop a tomato on it, I throw it right in the wash - so much better than washing the slipcovers.

Now, excuse me, I have to go take my doggy-woggy for her walkies.

I Am Resolute

Well, here we are, back to our normal lives. We flew back from California on a redeye this morning. Now, my husband, JM, is back at work, the tree is all dried out (despite my best efforts, the poor thing can't water itself), the confetti has been swept up, and it seems laundry, dust, and reality are raining down from the sky in its place. But all is not lost. With the new year comes the opportunity for new beginnings and new pursuits, and I have been working on determining what mine will be. While we were in California, JM tried surfing and yoga for the first time (when in Rome...), and succeeded at both riding waves and balancing in Warrior II pose, so he is already well ahead of me.

I put a lot of thought into my resolutions, because, unlike some of you procrastinators out there, I actually accomplish them. Exhibit A: My resolutions from last year. Run a marathon? Did it. Cook less chicken? Yep. Get a dog? Did I ever. Be a good friend? Well, at least I'm a good hostess. Keep this blog fun and useful? Well, it's still fun for me!

So, without further ado, here are this year's almost-certain-to-be-accomplished resolutions.
1. Timing Is Everything. I recognize that I have a major shortcoming when it comes to time management. For example, I started this post at 11 a.m., but have gotten distracted and interrupted so many times that I still haven't finished it. I'm going to start using (and referencing) my iPhone calendar to schedule my life, and start being more consistently on time.
2. Train My Dog. I have already taught her to sit, lie down, wait, shake hands, stand on her back feet, and "hold it" while indoors (unless she gets really excited). Now, I want to take an obedience class and work on keeping her from jumping up on people and trying to lick their faces (or eat JM's dinner off the coffee table). Once she masters that, maybe I'll teach her to jump-rope.
3. Sell my Stuff on eBay. I have more "stuff"- clothes I don't wear anymore, appliances I don't have room for, tools I never use - than I have valued items I actually use and enjoy. It's time to stop spending all our hard-earned cash on eBay, and start making cash off it, instead.

This year's resolutions may seem a little less ambitious than last year's, but my life is so good right where it is, I can hardly think of anything major to change! Here's hoping for another successful year.

How did you do on last year's resolutions, and what are you going to do this year? Do tell!

Pet Pitfalls

A few weeks ago, after one of our increasingly-rare nights out with friends, we came home at 1 a.m. to find the contents of JM's gym bag spread all over the house, a suspiciously empty chocolate-bar wrapper (I admit it, it was mine) and a dog that was running circles around the ceiling. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, and she was so strung out that we could see her heart pounding in her tail. I immediately called the emergency vet clinic, and was informed that she hadn't eaten enough to kill her, but it was pretty scary to see her like that (and also kind of funny). And, from the looks of it, she had some very trippy dreams that night. All of this is to say that I decided to educate myself about what human foods are poisonous to dogs and become a more diligent and careful pet owner.
But, things are starting to get very festive around here, with decorations and presents and holiday foods everywhere. I admit that I have been a baking (but sadly not a blogging-about-baking) fool these past couple weeks, and my pants, so comfortably loose post-marathon, are starting to shrink up again as a result. But, in all this festive frenzy I have to keep a constant eye on the other voracious eater in the house. No, not JM - he's annoyingly disciplined - I'm talking about the dog, again. Human food in general is unhealthy for dogs, so try to keep visitors from slipping your pooch a cookie or two. But, if you have a four-legged friend in your house, here are the things you should be especially careful about, all year long.

Human Foods That Are Toxic to Animals
Alcohol
Caffeine
Chocolate
Grapes/Raisins
Macadamia Nuts
Mushrooms
Onions/Garlic
Raw Potatoes
Tylenol
Tomatoes (cats only)
Xylitol Sugar-substitute (found in sugarless gum)

Also Watch Out For:
Tinsel
Broken Glass or Ornaments

Silly-houettes, Part 2

I know that maybe the whole silhouette thing is getting a little played-out on this blog, what with this post, and this post, and my banner... But before I can put the whole topic to bed once and for all, I feel compelled to show the full how-to and results of my own little project.
For the how-to, I'll show you how I made Skipper's silhouette. It's one in a series of silhouettes we are doing for our salon wall (a topic for a future post) of all of our family and friends. I still think that it's such an easy project, and makes for a really sweet and personal decoration or gift. For ours, I opted for the classic black-and-white look, but I also made one of my brother, sister-in-law and their baby in pastels that hangs in her nursery. And I love the look when done in bright colors or even patterns.













Step 1: Take a cute picture of your little friend in profile. Open the photo in Adobe Illustrator. For the low-tech version of these instructions, click here.










Step 2: Using the pen tool on a second layer, trace the outline of your friend. Print the outline on plain paper and scale it until it perfectly fits your frame. Reflect the image, so it prints the opposite side of how you want it. Print it on the final paper you intend to use in the real project.








Step 3: Using small sharp scissors, cut out the silhouette, moving slowly and staying exactly on the lines.










Step 4: Use a glue stick (remember to put the glue on the "wrong" side), to adhere the silhouette to the background paper you are using.










Step 5: Place the glued paper in a heavy book to dry. The pressure of the pages will prevent the paper from puckering or peeling away. If you use a standard glue stick, it should be dry within 20 minutes.









Step 6: Place the silhouette in your frame of choice, and hang up your new unorthodox family portrait proudly in your house.

There. It's out of my system.

That's Dogwash

Our beagle, Skipper, has a lot of things going for her: she's smart, super cute, very friendly, quiet, and funny. But she does have a couple of faults over which she has no control: She sheds, and sometimes she smells like a hound. To keep this unpleasantness in check, Skipper gets daily brushings and weekly baths, and I have worked hard to find the right tools for the job. If you, too, have a malodorous or hirsute pooch or kitty leaving a trail of fur or funk wherever she goes, read on to find the best products to keep the yuck to a minimum.







I use two brushes on Skip's coat one for removing loose overcoat hairs, and the other for pulling out the loose undercoat. In combination they work like a charm, and you will be shocked at the amount of hair that comes off your pet. As a bonus, Skipper loves getting brushed and can't get enough of it.
For the outercoat, I use the Kong ZoomGroom brush, $8, available from Petco. It is made out of rubber and attracts the hairs like a magnet.









For the undercoat, I use the Furminator deshedding tool, $30, also available from Petco. This thing works so well you might be grossed out by the amount of hair that comes off your pet.









For her bath, I use Perfect Coat Natural Oatmeal shampoo, $7, also from Petco. I have tried more expensive brands, and this one seems to work the best: It moisturizes her skin, makes her coat super shiny, and smells great.




Lastly, she gets a rinse of Furminator deShedding Solution, $13, from Petco. It makes whatever is left of her loose undercoat come out and leaves her clean, shiny, sweet-smelling and shed-free.

At least for a few days.

Cool Collars and Luxe Leashes

During the time leading up to our adoption of Skipper, I wasn't sure what breed or gender or color of dog I wanted, or even what size. All I knew for sure was that, no matter what kind of dog we ended up with, I would never be one of those dog owners who dresses their dogs in tutus and carries them around in a designer handbag. A dog is a dog, I asserted, not a doll with which to play dress-up.

But then we brought Skipper home with her standard-issue plain-Jane Petco nylon leash and collar, and suddenly, I found myself wanting more for her. We had given her a new lease on life, why not a new leash, too? After all, she's a Manhattan lady, now, and she deserves to sport something a little more stylish. Don't get me wrong, I'm not painting her toenails hot pink right now or anything (she wouldn't hold still long enough for them to dry, anyway), and I still believe that a dog is a dog (If there is something disgusting on the ground, she's going to roll in it whether you have her in an Ed Hardy outfit or not), but I don't think there's anything wrong with giving your pooch a leash and collar with a little pizazz. So, like many first-time pet owners before me, I have stumbled unwittingly into a whole new world of merchandise, and found it very appealing. Fittingly, I have recently purchased Skipper a "Sailor's Knot" (get it? Skipper? Sailor?) collar and leash. And I am sure she will look paws-atively fetching.

From top: "Lucky Horseshoe" and "Eco-Sport" leashes (made from %100 recycled material), $24 each, matching collars are $18 each, from Mascot; "Agra" collars, $14-18 each, matching leash is $22, from Harry Barker; "Sailor's Knot" leash (this is the one Skipper will soon be modeling), $42, matching collar is $38, from Mascot;"Deauville" collars $16-18 each, matching leashes are $22, from Harry Barker; Braided leather collar, $55, matching leashes are $65, from Canine Styles.

Talent Show

Since we got Skipper, and I am watching as she makes such quick strides with learning the basics, like all, um, mothers, I have started to see unlimited potential in her. What sorts of hidden talents is she harboring? Luckily, YouTube has provided some inspiration for what I should be aspiring to for her. Like, maybe she'll turn out to be an awesome surfer!



Since we're close to the ocean very often, maybe she would be better off learning how to skateboard like this little dude. However, I do have some concerns that she would start wearing her pants too low and become a little punk.



And this New York woman taught her dog how to read. Needless to say, I have hired her to help me train Skipper. I have pretty high hopes for her literacy.



When it comes to helping my doggy excel and thrive, I am, well, dogged.

Introducing...

Skipper!

This weekend, we finally found "the one." She is a sixteen-pound, two-year-old, funny, silly, beautiful little beagle. We adopted her from CARE, an animal shelter in Bayonne, New Jersey, after seeing her on www.adoptapet.com.

She is the friendliest, sweetest little thing -- she wants to meet everyone she sees on the street (this makes walking her a long process), and gets along with everyone. All of our concerns about adopting an older dog were quickly laid to rest when we met her -- she never barks, is completely non-aggressive and loving, is (mostly) house-trained, and totally social. She loves to explore and is curious about every single thing she sees (it gives me new understanding of the name of Charlie Brown's beagle, "Snoopy").

She likes stuffed toys, beef snacks, long walks in the park, and being as close to her human friends as she can possibly get.

If you are considering getting a puppy or buying a pet, please please check out www.adoptapet.com and www.petfinder.com first. There are absolute treasures to be found.