WHO'S THAT DOG?
By Julie St. Louis
Special to the Turnagain Times
WHO'S THAT DOG? |
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| Unofficially known as “the Boss of Town Square” this hound will greet you with a hearty howl and soulful eyes. Be sure to shake paws with this angel when you see her about town, but do refrain from extra treats since she’s trying to watch her figure. |
It’s that time—to take a needed vacation, or head south until next spring. Then the big decision: Do you take your loyal and trusting pet with you, or do you leave Whiskers or Spot behind?
Traveling with your pet (or without) doesn’t have to be onerous. You just need to make arrangements that will give you peace of mind and your pet safety and comfort.
For your furry friends, one of the greatest rewards is to accompany you. If driving, pack your pet’s favorite blanket, toys and treats, and have water available at all times. Bring enough of their food for each driving day plus the stay, and a bit more just in case.
At this time of year interior vehicle temperatures are generally safe, but if you’re going where it’s still hot never leave your pet inside the car, even with the windows down. Pets cannot regulate their body temperature like us, and the inside of a vehicle heats up faster than you think. If you must leave them inside, bring a spare key so you can keep the engine running with the air conditioner on and the doors locked.
If your pet is the nervous sort, you may want to crate them or secure them with a specially designed safety belt that clips onto a harness and then into the vehicle’s seat belt connector. If you are flying on a commercial airline you will be required to transport them in an approved pet carrier. And, whenever you fly or drive Outside you will need to carry a valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of travel.
To ease anxiety, there are several natural herbal supplements to safely calm your cat or dog, as well as prescription medications provided by your veterinarian. You can even use one particular brand, Rescue Remedy, to ease not only your pet’s anxiety, but that of yourself or other human travelers.
Another item that I highly recommend is the book “Traveling With Your Pet – The AAA Pet Guide.” This wonderful resource lists pet friendly lodging by state and province with contact information and price ranges for each hotel, motel, B&B or campground along the way. It even provides a directory of off-leash dog parks for Spot to expend a bit of energy.
For those times when you are not able to take your pet along, there are two general options: Let your pet stay in familiar surroundings at your home (preferred) or have them stay elsewhere. Either way you could have a trustworthy friend come to your home or leave them at the friend’s house. Consider this carefully. Friendships have been known to end afterwards. Not every friend can handle the quirks of every pet, and not every pet can adapt quickly to being cared for by someone other than you.
You can also hire a qualified pet sitter to stop by several times a day or to stay at your home. Here in Girdwood there are several reliable options. I’ve also found qualified house/pet sitters on Craigslist.com or by advertising on the post office bulletin board. Be sure to ask for references and meet the person before you leave.
Prices can vary quite a bit, from $5 per visit to feed a fish or cat every other day, to $18 per visit for a recommended three daily visits for dogs or a nightly rate of $75 or more to sleep over.
If you must have your pet stay elsewhere, I recommend finding an arrangement that allows your pet to become part of the pet sitter’s family by staying at their house along with other pet guests, or a pet daycare facility that also allows overnight boarding. Use traditional kennels, where your pet is contained in pens or runs, as a last resort as this tends to cause mores stress for the animal.
Here in town Alyeska Paws, Inc. provides both in your home and at their home pet care. Places such as Alyeska Paws fill up fast, so you’ll want to book as far in advance as possible. If they don’t have a vacancy, they will refer you to other similar establishments.
No matter where and with whom you leave your pet, be sure to provide emergency contact information for you and your veterinarian. In addition, providing your pet’s bed, food and medicines, plus a list of commands and any special needs or quirks, will help make their stay safer and more pleasant.
Most important, whether your pet joins you or stays here, make sure they have identification. A microchip implant that can be read by animal control, or a collar with I.D. tag is a must.
Finally, upon your return, if your pet greets you as though you’ve only been gone an hour, don’t be offended. That’s a sign you made the right choice and they were well cared for and content. Happy Tails and Trails to you and your pals.
Julie St. Louis is the proprietor of GRRdwood Pets & Green Goods.