My friend wouldn't think of leaving home without her Lhaso, Tempest. She and DH, before he was killed recently, even outfitted Tempe in a lifejacket for a canoe ride up a river in Arkansas.

Before he died at 2 y.o., we took our Shi-tzu, Spanky, on a week-end family trip. After all got everything loaded and ourselves situated, we turned to situate Spanky in the back. He had already done it, perching himself atop the highest point in the SUV, on TOP of his kennel. He looked at us as if to say, "What?"

On a recent long trip, my neighbor who usually dogsits for us at her house (she has 4 dogs), was going out of town too, so we boarded our more recent Shi-tzu, Rocky, for the first time. When we walked in the full kennel, it was a moment when the dogs were all barking loudly. Rocky became nervous right away. We had to parade all the way to the back of the room. All but a few of the dogs continued to bark wildly at us as we paraded by. By now, Rocky was as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof! It felt like a prison when the new inmate is paraded by all the other prisoners on the path to his cell. He took his place in the concrete-floored cage, glancing at his neighbors on either side.

I took as many comforts of home that were allowed for him, but I felt so bad putting him through it I nearly cried. I worried for the first two days of my trip although it was the most reputable kennel in the area and I trusted it. In the end, I believe he had a good experience after all, but it had to be a shocking contrast from his luxury home complete with carpet, a doggy door, and self-service food/water! Poor Rocky!

I tried once, but not anymore, my pet wasnt too happy about it. My little Yorkie is a Condo dog, and loves to be comfortable and cool , in his home,and favourite bed.Luckly my daughter watch my pets when We go in vacation..

I would never think of dragging my two dogs along on a trip with me, unless it was absolutely necessary. I think they would find travel (other than those short trips to the beach) absolutely miserable. Vacations are a time for us to do what we want w/o having to worry that our poor pooches are having a good time, too. I could never enjoy myself knowing they were cooped up in a hotel room while we were out and about during the day.

I have, however, seen dogs/pets that seem to LOVE traveling with their owners. I think in those cases they are very used to it and have adjusted.

Nah....my dogs have a ton of fun with our friends when we are gone and I know they enjoy that much more than being on a plane, or even in a car, for many hours.

Sounds sensible to me, as there are so many limitations for pets. It makes perfect sense for some and some situations. Personally, I don't want one more child to keep up with. It's all I can do to wrangle my own! I'm surprised at how many people do this - of course not on trip abroad.

Since it takes 2 extra stong people to hold the cat down just to get to the vets..I really don't think a car trip is in the future ..he'll jsut have to put up with a sitter!

When my husband and I make our pilgramage to Greece every 2 years I fly my dog from Atlanta to Nova Scotia where she stays on my parents farm for about 2 months. For shorter trips she stays with a friend or at the kennel and oddly enough she gets excited each time she goes to the kennel it's almost embarassing!

RLA, I know plenty of people who travel with their pets abroad, believe it or not. I will admit, however, most of them are French....ha. I hold nothing against those who do it. It's just not for me....or my "boys."

Jody- LOL
Trish- You couldn't ask for more!
Statia - I can understand taking them for those who go to live for weeks or more. They are living there temporarily (like the lucky St. Cirq, isn't it?) unlike the rest of us tourist.

Yes, I take my Labrador and my Golden Retriever whenever I travel, we have great fun together, LOL.

Our cocker travels with us locally constantly and loves to go for car rides. We are in Michigan nearly every weekend during the nice weather and only have to say Michigan for her to run to the car. For trips where dogs aren't invited, she goes on her own trip to her grandparents who love to have her (at least that's what they tell us. She's never been boarded and at 7 yrs.old I wouldn't start now if I could avoid it.

RLA, you're in the Europe forum! Don't you know about the quarantine imposed upon pets if you bring them abroad? Hop over to the US board and ask this question.

dln, To the contrary, pets can travel to many places in Europe without being quarantined (England, France and Spain I am certain of). There are medical documentation requirements which vary by country.

Obxgirl, you're right. We have relatives that moved to Brussels and took their dog with no problem. The quarantine issue is an old wives tale for travelling with pets from the US to most western European countries so long as you have documentation of required vaccines, etc.

Short answer: No

Long answer: I had to laugh when I saw this question. I have 5 pets, one of which is a 100 pound, hairy, drooly Malamute named Butch! He's so big that when he rides in my Miata, his head is higher than the windshield. The thought of that big lug in Paris or Rome is hysterical.

No, Butchie and his brothers and sisters (one other mutt dog, Lucy, and three cats, Hazel, Hilda and Ben) go to my sister's house when I travel. Since they spend most of their time there playing with my 7-year-old niece and 9-year-old nephew, it's kind of like a vacation for them. They always come home exhausted!

Jennie

Speaking of taking your pets with you....

Pets live in luxury at these hotels:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2786399.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3198347.stm

Our cat, Feisty, has a fit whenever I take her carrier out of the closet, much less put her in it to just go to the vet. I can't imagine the yowling for a trip over 2 miles! She would have to be drugged.

I guess the quarantine issue isn't what it used to be in foreign countries, in at least some places. It would be a disaster for me plus a distraction. I know some who wouldn't think of traveling without their lapdog and could easily do it. I can respect that.

I'll take my little beagle/lab mix with me anywhere I'm not flying. I like having him with me, and he's happier anywhere than at the kennel, which he HATES. They literally have to drag him into the cages during "rest times." When we get close to the door, he turns and tries to run away. I've tried other kennels and it's the same...
When I do fly, he now stays with friends, or a friend comes to stay with him.

I did take him with me for a flight once. I was going to California for 2 weeks, and thought it'd be fun for all to have him with us. I somehow managed to get him in his carrier...where he proceeded to shake and drool and look completely miserable. I felt awful. I felt even worse when I looked out my window on the plane, and watched him get loaded onto the lugagge ramp...I can only imagine how scared he was down there.

That's why he only comes when I drive now...

I WISH I could bring my German Shepard with me everywhere. However, last year I stayed at a luxury downtown highrise hotel in Minneapolis and they allowed dogs. I told them I have a big German Shepard, not a little dog. They said that's OK.

No problems at all. He was the center of conversation in the elevators, the bell hops, the maids. I was "The Guy With The Police Dog". Little did anyone know that he really is a police dog, but we were on a weekend vacation at the time!

jor- Maybe you should take him to Europe. I'd like to see those pickpockets try to put their hands on your pockets!