Uncle Donnie
Jul 31, 2004, 10:20 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: [pathall] Flying with pups
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I've travelled both ways to/from Texas with various combos of animals; three dogs at once, a dog and two cats at once, and just a single dog.
In my extended cab truck I had a platform built to slide in on top of the folded down rear seat. A cushion was made to fit and the dogs had a flat secure surface to ride on. When the cats rode I put them in harnesses and let them roam (actually they both settled in under the seat and rode quietly) until pitstop time when I snapped on leashes and took them to any nearby private sandy spot.
Now we just put down the back seat of the Cherokee and they have room.
As mentioned earlier, dogs are excellent at eliminating or reducing the time spent in aduna, Army, and police stops and searches. The guys usually ask if the dog(s) bite(s). The answer I always give is "Sometimes".
And how you treat pitstops with dogs depends upon your degree of confidence in their good behavior. Pirata and Atticus were always allowed to un-ass the truck by themselves because they respond well to voice commands but Phoebe the Giant Schnauzer always had to come out on a leash because she's a bit more unpredictable. The cats, as you might expect, were ALWAYS on a leash when they were let out.
The big consideration is where to spend the night. It's best to be as discreet as possible although some places do allow pets. A menagerie is an entirely different question.
In Mexico try some of the hoteles de paso, or "love motels". Less expensive in many cases than the 4 and 5 star places, and usually very nice (they normally get cleaned several times a day---or night) with a good king-size bed, many available with a jacuzzi in the room, and often room service food and booze at exaggerated prices. But they're very private and secure and many allow pets---heaven knows what they think about your psyche, but you'll never see them again anyway in most cases.
In the U.S.? Red Roof Inns allow small pets. I guess you could say that your German Shepherd is actually small by breed standards. We've stayed with both Phoebe and Atticus, a Giant Poodle. Lots of rule flexibility if you smile and try to be as inconspicuous as possible. Ask for a ground-floor room so you don't have to parade through the lobby.
And, as noted, a lot of dogs react like babies once you're underway---they settle in and sleep. If carsickness becomes a consideration just stop at a vet's office and get meds. Or try a trip or two close to home to see what kind of response you get if you've never car travelled with Bowser.
I'm definitely in favor of car travel with dogs as opposed to flying them as cargo.
Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com
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