Good luck with the pooch!As for the horror stories about dogs and allegies...In addition to pets being allowed in the cabin,seeing eye dogs are always welcome.As are search and rescue dogs(poor ventilation and temperature shifts in the cargo holds can ruin their noses),and any animal used by a person with a disability. I was on a flight with a deaf person whose dog barked at every "call button"...Hey to him it was a doorbell!The people in the cabin thought it added a nice touch to the flight....Good luck...And pilots with allergies should stay clear of the cabin!M.

I flew my dog over to Italy 3 years ago; she flew in cargo. I wrote on her crate in big, bold letters "Animale vivo/Live animal" so that the baggage handlers were made doubly aware that this was not just an ordinary piece of luggage. I also had special tags made for the flight with a phone # in NY as well as a phone # in Italy (because yes, every now and then you do hear a horror story about a crate opening and the dog dashing). When I boarded the plane, I alerted the flight attendants to the fact that there was a dog in cargo (even though when you check in airline personnel will also tell the pilot). Do not cry (as I did) when you sign a piece of paper absolving the airline of any responsibility for your additional "baggage." Also know that some airlines (Delta, for sure) will not guarantee that the dog can fly in the summer -- they keep an eye for high temperatures (and, in Italy in summer, this is indeed an issue). We both took tranquillizers, and both arrived salve e sane (safe and sound). Good luck!

topping

Hi Sylvie,<BR>how much will it cost to leave the pet in the US ?<BR>For a nonstop flight ok - but two hours in frankfurt and another 90 minutes and check out and so on its really a long time.<BR>We gave our dog a pill to calm down. Thats ok from the medical site.<BR>But to choose an airline I definately hope you fly with Lufthansa - they really take care of you "dog".<BR>I would not bet on any other airline esp. British Airways or Iberia Alitalia,<BR>UNITED will be an exception !<BR>Any questions- mailme<BR>Shain/Germany/D&uuml;sseldorf