On the road again

Dog pets and cat pets run away for different reasons. Boredom, the drive to find a mate, frequenting another home where snacks are available and abusive owners are all reasons for a dog or cat to venture off. Then there is the “Squirrel” syndrome, the thrill of the chase. Both of these super pets have acute senses of direction and do not necessarily get lost however there are plenty of situations and environments which make these ventures dangerous and worthy of taking precautions. If you are planning to buy pets for your apartment or house, here are a few things I have personally observed which I believe prove the point.

Dogs need to run. Especially the bigger, leaner dogs. I had a friend who owned a retriever. He had a yard but it was never enough for the dog. After several incidents and because they lived near many busy streets the dog was usually confined to a leash. Once my friend got older, social and school activities began to take up much more of his time. His parents were a bit older too. This meant less walks for the dog and more time on the leash. After a while the dog became unhappy and would inevitably try to escape at every opportunity. This began to happen more often as the dog became more skilled at the art. One day he escaped, ran onto one of the busy streets and was hit by a car and injured. The dogs back was broken which cost the owners hundreds if not thousands of dollars not to mention the guilt and heartbreak of seeing their life long friend in such agony.

I do not own a dog but I am planning to get one. If I don’t my daughter will continue to torture me until I either give in or lose my mind and get hauled off to the loony bin. My biggest concern is the amount of available space for the dog to run. We have a medium sized yard and there are several parks nearby so my one condition is that the dog be small. We have decided to get a Doxie. These little guys don’t need a whole lot of room in order to run and if they do run I could definitely catch up. A bigger dog would not be happy. Some of the bigger breeds need acres to roam free in order to be happy. If confined to a smaller range it may difficult to keep them there making pet supplies like GPS dog collars necessary.

Cats on the other hand don’t usually run away. Cats are territorial and tend to monitor their claimed space, venturing out for whatever reason but always returning to familiar ground.

When I was in college I lived in a house with several other students one of which owned a male cat, Spike. Rent went up and we had to move to a more affordable apartment which was about half a mile away. We brought Spike along of course. The next day the cat was nowhere to be found. We searched everywhere, twice. Then we had a revelation, we decided to go back to the old house and look there. Guess what, there he was, in his usual spot under the trees in the lot next to the house. We grabbed him and hauled him home. Next day, same thing. When we tried to keep the cat in-doors in a feeble attempt to help him get acclimated to the new living situation he was obviously miserable. He did not eat and actually got sick. We had to let him go.

We worried because winter was approaching and no animal should be submitted to a New England winter without proper shelter. We visited the new inhabitants of our old house and let them know our situation. Fortunately they were delighted and agreed to take care of our cat. We gave them $100 to pay for food and visited often. In retrospect we were very lucky it turned out so well for him, the folks who moved into the house and for ourselves as well.

Dog pets and cat pets are awesome, they enhance any living space with their attitude, good nature, and unique personalities. However, if they are not treated well or if their environment does not suit their needs a good thing can turn bad. When deciding to get a dog or cat it is natural to consider the ramifications to your lifestyle, your environment, and routines. It is another thing to take into consideration the impact your lifestyle, environment, and routines will have on the animal.

proper dog supplies make travel a breeze

Going on vacation? Considering whether or not to bring the dog can be a big decision on several levels but with the right dog supplies and a little preparation you’ll both be much happier and able to enjoy your time away together.

Finding a neighbor or friend to feed and walk your dog (and pick up the poop) can be difficult and dog kennels are usually a last resort. So if you do decide to bring Rover along here are some things you can do and some pet supplies you can get to make it a bit easier.

First, you really should consider taking your dog to the vet for a check up and to be sure all his vaccinations are up to date before heading out. If you are flying you will need all his or her health certifications as they are required by most if not all airlines. A visit to the vet will also give you the opportunity to stock up on any medications your dog may need.

Invest in a nice dog crate. Dog crates not only keep dogs safe in the car, they are required for traveling in a plane. A dog crate will also help to keep your dog out of “trouble” in a hotel room, a car, or at a home you may be staying in as a guest. A proper dog crate should be tall enough for the dog to stand and long enough for it to lie down. Make sure the bottom is leak proof and as a precaution line it with something that will absorb spills. And always label it properly with your dogs name, your name, and your address and if you are flying be sure to put a “Live Animal” sign on it and an arrow that says “this way up”. Give your dog some water, some dog toys and he or she will be ready to go.

Double check all dog collars and identification tags. If your dog by chance should get away and you are in unfamiliar territory it could prove disastrous. Bring a picture of your dog too. You may even want to consider a form of permanent identification such as a microchip which a vet can “install” under the dog’s skin and can be read by a chip scanner.

If you are traveling by car you may want to avoid feeding your dog just before driving to lower your chances of car sickness. Be sure there is plenty of water though. Dogs hanging their heads out the window and flapping their tongues in the wind is a familiar picture however, this can lead to serious eye injuries and should be avoided. And of course you will want to take frequent bathroom breaks. Most of all never leave your dog in a closed vehicle, especially in the Summer. If you have to leave the car try to designate someone to stay with the dog and always leave a window craked open.

If you are traveling by plane definitely call the airline company in advance. All airlines have different rules concerning pets. Some will not allow animals in extreme weather, hot or cold. All airlines require proof of vaccinations and health certifications. Big dogs have to be in a dog crate that is approved by the airlines while smaller dogs can sometimes ride under the seat but must be confined to their dog crate or dog carrier.

Unfortunately, Dogs are not permitted on Amtrak trains or Greyhound and several other bus companies. So unless you are blind or disabled in a way that requires a service dog, if you are traveling by bus or train Rover will have to stay home.

Travel by boat is another story all together. Many luxury liners and cruise ships, provide special lodging and free meals for dogs. However, it makes sence that you should check the policies of the particular cruise line or ship you will be traveling on before making any plans.

Finally, if you are staying in a hotel or motel you really need to call ahead to find out if they will allow you dog to stay there. If your dog is allowed be sure to respect the other guests by keeping your dog on a leash keeping your dog as quiet as possible. I probably don’t need to mention that you definitely should not let Rover chew on the hotel room couch or pillows either. Be sure to find out from the management where you can and cannot walk your dog and as usual, always clean up their mess!

A dog crate, some dog toys, and dog bowls for food and water are really all the dog supplies you’ll need. Otherwise, with a little preparation and some attention to a few guidlines your trip with your dog will be a big success.