If you're a dog owner, you'll know that your pet is more than just an animal - he or she is one of the family. And when you're going on
vacation, you want to take the whole familey right?
Right. Unfortunately, traveling with a doggie by plane or cruise ship is immensely impractical, not least because Fido will probably end up in quarantine for getting on for a year of his life as he crosses international borders. For foreign trips, therefore, you need to find somewhere for pooch to stay. If you've never left your dog before, that means a reliable and respectable boarding kennel where he'll get plenty of space to run around and socialize with other dogs, plus the correct food and exercise. The best way of ensuring you're choosing a quality holiday home for your dog is to check that it's registered with ABKA - the American Boarding Kennel Association. ABKA membership is not mandatory for kennel owners, but member kennels are subject to stringent criteria and a complaints system if things go wrong. So you can be just about as sure as you can be that your pet will be well looked-after.
Of course, if you're actually going to be traveling within the US - or wherever your home country is - there's no reason why you shouldn't take your dog with you. If your dog hasn't done a lot of traveling by car before, it's really important that you get him accustomed to short journeys before setting out on an interstate expedition. Dogs who aren't used to car travel - and even those who are, sometimes - can get terribly car sick. And that's definitely not the way you want to start your vacation!
Also bear in mind that a dog should never be left in a car for more than a few minutes, especially on a hot day, even if the window is wound down. Hot cars are literally death traps for dogs, so you should plan your journey to avoid this eventuality. Also remember to ahve plenty of water available, and work in rest and comfort stops for your pet as well as yourselves!
Great Vacations for You & Your Dog, USA: 1997-98 (Great Vacations for You & Your Dog, USA)
Detective Dog Goes on Vacation (HOP Chapter Book Vol. 3 Level 3)
Dog on vacation: Photos
Vacation Adventures with Diastat Dog
Rusty's travels: A little dog's part in a vacation