I rescued my Jack Russell terrier, Buddy, from the pound last year after months of grieving for my dearly departed beagle mix Dom. I devised a plan to rescue a dog – I’d volunteer at the pound and test drive dogs until I found one that I liked. At first, I didn’t know whether or not Buddy was a keeper. While he was playful and friendly with people, he generally had an angry look in his eye and tended to fight with other dogs and wouldn’t even back down from aggressive pit bulls despite weighing only 18 pounds and having a bark that’s meaner than his bite. Now, that I’ve had him for a while, I realize that he was just putting on his prison face and acting tough. Just like in movies about the big house, he was picking out the toughest inmate and fighting, so none of the other dogs would pick on him. Now that he’s happy with a home, Buddy is friendly and playful when he encounters other dogs.
Like most dogs with any sense, Buddy hated the pound, and most kennels look just like the pound. The thought that he might think I’m taking him back to the pound breaks my heart. I just can’t bring myself to force him to put on his prison face and am somewhat worried about how he might behave around other dogs once in the kennel. Thus, I’m reluctant to board him at a kennel when I go out of town.
The good news is that it’s not much of a hassle to bring him along no matter where I go. Pet carriers are available at any major pet chain and many discount stores like WalMart and Target for $50 or less, and virtually every major airline allows any pet carrier with a soft flexible structure that will fit under a seat in the cabin to be brought as a carry-on bag for a nominal fee. The following chart details the fees per airline:
Airline Pet Fee One-Way
Airtran $69
Alaska $100
American $100
Continental $125
Delta $100
JetBlue $100
Spirit $100
Southwest $75
United $125
US Airways $100
Virgin $100
Granted, there are a few things to note before bringing your best friend along to the airport:
- First, is that these fees are basically a rip-off. Your pet requires no additional handling by the airline when he or she is riding in the cabin, so why should you have to pay any fee at all?
- Second, you will need to reserve a spot on the plane in advance, since most airlines have a limit on the amount of animals allowed on each flight.
- Third, each airline has a different size restriction for carriers allowed in the cabin.
- Fourth, some airlines require proof of shots and a clean bill of health from a vet before the animal can ride.
- And finally, many airports will require that the animal be able to stand and turn around in the carrier, and they will often not allow you to take the pet out of the carrier in the terminal.
When it comes to large dogs, however, not all airlines permit sizable animals to be checked with baggage under the plane, and many animal lovers consider the fluctuations in temperature to be unacceptable for animals. Generally, with most airlines that allow large animals to be checked, the fee doubles for that of a carrier-on pet. Moreover, as opposed to carrier-on pet carriers, the checked pet carrier must have hard sides and a door that locks.
Once you get wherever you’re going with your best friend, then what do you do? Don’t worry – ranging from luxurious to affordable, several major hotel and motel chains permit dogs and cats as occupants, among them: Best Western, Candlewood Suites, Clarion Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn and Suites, Courtyard Marriott, Crown Plaza, EconoLodge, Extended Stay Suites, Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, Kimpton Hotels, La Quinta Inn and Suites, MainStay Suites, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Motel 6, Novotel Hotels, Quality Inn, Red Roof Inn, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Residence Inn, Rodeway Inn, Sleep Inn, Springhill Suites, Staybridge Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotels, and Towne Place Suites. However, like the airlines, many of these hotels and motels charge pet fees, so you should call ahead before showing up with your animal.
The next time you travel, don’t send your best friend to doggie prison – bring him or her along instead. It’s not just beneficial for them. When spending long periods away from home, it can help you to bring a piece of it with you.
