I am in the initial stages of planning a trip to the Southwest (from Seattle) that would include SE Utah parks (have already been to Bryce and Zion), Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, and Santa Fe before heading west on 40 to visit relatives in California. We hope to do this early in April. One problem is our 12-year old dog, whom we love too much to subject to a kennel at his advanced age. Is it possible to do a quality trip with our old fellow? He is an experienced traveler and has already been many places in the West. I just don't know how restrictive some of these areas might be about letting us walk around with a leashed dog.

Most NPs have kennels. Traveling with a dog limits your hotel options. If you plan to camp, there should be no problem - but the weather may be "iffy" for camping in early April. We got snow at the Grand Canyon at that time and the trail at Arches was icy.

If he's a good traveler, you can do it - but will need to plan more carefully/ accordingly if you stay in hotels.

I can't answer except for Mesa Verde; they don't have kennels on site.

http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/pets.htm

Cortez would be closest place. I can recommend a place if you'd like.

For Santa Fe:

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/tr...sstateNM.shtml

May I suggest that at this point in your pooch's life, he may be more comfortable staying at home in familiar surroundings. Can you get a pet sitter?

You may think it kinder to take him with you, but it may be kinder to leave him home. Of course, only you can decide that.

12 year olds are not quite the carefree pups they once were and while they will go anywhere with their people, maybe not wisely.

I say this with the deepest respect after losing my 12 year old golden in October. He would have gone anywhere or done anything for me, even if it hurt or was something he would have chosen not to do if he had a voice.

Deb

You may want to check the web site of each National Park you intend to visit. The rules can change from place to place when it comes to pets. Almost all parks do not permit pets on trails and in the back country.... Having a pet will also restrict your choice of motels and hotels.

How does your vet feel about taking your senior dog to high altitudes and hikes? Any health issues? We were unable to take our dogs in their old age before they passed away.

Do you have a friend who would be willing to take care of your dog? And if NPs are in your plans I would think that would hinder your experience as many do not allow pets (mentioned above).

Mesa Verde - pets must be on leash anytime outside of a vehicle, and restricted to paved roads, parking lots and the campground. Leaving a pet unattended or tied to any object is prohibited.

Not sure which parks in SE Utah you're planning on.
Natural Bridges, Arches and Canyonlands all have restrictions similar to Mesa Verde.
Hovenweep allows pets on trails but must be leashed.

Based on those restrictions and you not wanting to kennel your dog, I'd say it is not possible to do a quality trip with him. You would pretty much be looking at everything from your car, and would miss an awful lot.

Your dog probably won't enjoy it anymore than you will if you take him. Pets in NP just don't mix. They aren't allowed but a few places. I haven't seen any kennels in NP's. Maybe there are some outside of the parks, but not directly part of the park that I know of. Keep in mind that a lot of these places are isolated and pretty far from larger towns where you could find kennels. The NP's will be very restrictive. You might could do some of the state parks in Utah, but I would imagine that even those will be pretty particular as well. Monument Valley- is Indian Tribal Ground, so you would have to check with them. Mesa Verde- would be an out and is about 30 minutes away from a town that might have a kennel. Sedona-you could probably find a kennel easily.

"we love too much to subject to a kennel at his advanced age"

Are people just missing this from the OP? They do not want to kennel their dog. I'm confused as to why there's several replies mentioning the availability of kennels - seems completely irrelevant given they will not use them.

We are mentioning kennels while they are ON the trip, but to see most of the sights, the dog has to be kenneled during the day.

IMO that is different that leaving the dog at home in the kennel during the entire vacation.

Most places don't allow you to leave a dog unattended in the car or in a hotel room. When I've visited the Grand Canyon, Busch Gardens, etc., the dog spends the day in their kennel.

We call it "Day camp"

We did a couple of long drive/big trips by car with our large dog.
He is not elderly yet, but he is large and full of energy, we had to take that into consideration, as well as pit stops during the drive..an elderly dog will need more than you might..

We stayed in La Quinta hotels and they worked out beautifully for us, we <b>never</b> left him in the car while we shopped, went sightseeing, ate,etc.

I would never leave my dog in a kennel wherever I lived so I certainly would not leave him in an unknown kennel along the drive..young or old..especially old. Aside from the physical discomfort he might have, the mental discomfort would not be worth it.

We had to take our dog with us, we were moving. But I have never planned a vacation where the dog was not fully considered and that meant that the vacation was dog friendly more than people friendly lol.

Good luck..

Thanks to all who wrote. We will probably defer this trip until our buddy is no longer with us . We are looking into the Canadian Rockies as well, which are not only closer to us but (I've heard) not as restrictive about leashed dogs on trails.

We used to leave our dog with a reliable neighbor, but she now has a big young dog who is just too rambunctious and wears our dog out. A house-sitter would be ideal -- we are on the lookout for one. The other issue, of course, is that we hate to leave the dog for any length of time because we miss him too darn much!!