Summer is here and folks are going to be traveling to the mainland and interisland. Some people want to take their pets. It is not always easy to travel with us dogs, especially if you are 100 pounds like me. The little dogs and cats get to ride inside the airplane. I am not a piece of luggage but the airlines want to treat me as though I was a suitcase. They want to put me in the cargo area with the bags.
I was miserable when mom sent me on the big airplane ride. I had to stay in my crate for a long time. I was hungry and thirsty because the water spilled out of my doggie crate dish. I was so scared that I peed in my crate. I felt sad because I had pee all around me and I knew mom would not be happy. I couldn’t hold it in any more.
I had to be at the airport 2 hours before the flight. The folks at Continental Airlines have a Pet Safe program. They only take a few dogs on each flight and you have to make a reservation. They kept me in a climate controlled area away from the luggage on the plane. I even have frequent flyer miles.
They let me walk around by the cargo area before the flight on a leash. I was not as scared as usual because my mom took me to the cargo place twice before the trip so I would be less anxious. Mom put a picture of her and me on the outside of the crate with a note in case they lost me somewhere. Mom took the crate the day before the trip because she had to leave without me to make arrangements at the other end so she could pick me up.
Mom made doggie water and food dishes that attach to my crate herself. The ones you buy at the store were too small and too expensive. She drilled holes in the side of a plastic food tub and attached them to the inside of the crate with screws. The night before the trip she used the same tubs to make a big ice cube for my water dish. She filled the tubs with water and put them in the freezer.
Mom had to leave on the trip before me to get a car to pick me up at the airport. I had to have a dog sitter take care of me while she was gone. My Tutu, Rusty cared for me, but she is not able to take me for a big walk. We had to get Melissa, from 2PawsUp to take me to the golf course in the morning so I could run and play, like a big dog should.
On the day of the trip our neighbor, Birget, drove me and my Tutu, Rusty to the airport. I stayed close to them because I missed my mom and was scared. When I got put into my crate by that man, my Tutu, Rusty had tears in her eyes. Tutu is the Hawaiian word for grandma. I miss my Tutu. She calls to check on me sometimes. I sniff the phone when I hear her voice.
I arrived safely and saw my mom. She was so happy to see me. She wiped me off with a wet towel and said I was stinky. She kissed me on the nose and hugged me. I was so happy to see my mom. Now the trip seems far away. I have a baby sister now. Her name is Brandy and she is my pal. She barks a bit too much but we are helping her to not be so scared of noises. I will tell you more next time.
I am going to meet Gibson, the world’s largest dog next week. Mom is pretty excited. Next month we will share the photos and our new adventures. Please leave a comment or email me.
Here is a link to find out how to ship your dog into Hawaii and avoid the quarantine. My mom met Hawaii Governor, Linda Lingle on a flight to Hawaii and got the chance to thank her for making it easier to take animals into Hawaii with direct release at the airport for the pets.
http://www.hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/aqsbrochure.pdf
Continental Airlines is the only way to fly. Sorry to say this, but the local airlines would have shipped me as cargo. No thanks guys, I fly Continental now. Besides it is way cheaper to fly a big dog like me on Continental Airlines.
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/default.aspx
A special thanks to all the folks that helped to ease the quarantine. Thanks to my Tutu, Rusty Warren for taking such good care of me. Thanks to all the folks who email me. Woof, woof, sniff, sniff.
