After years of being bothered by screaming infants or crying babies, this week I was treated to a new thrill: a dog in a small carry-on cage under the seat in front of me that never stopped barking. I was aghast when the woman announced that American Airlines had charged her $75 each way for the dog to travel. That's $150 round trip from Miami to LaGuardia. Since my round trip was $181 from Naples to LaGuardia and I got a real seat instead of a cage under a seat, I guess I got a really good deal. On the other hand the dog wasn't bothered by my making noise, while I had to endure its constant barking. So which of us got the better deal???

It's cheaper for dogs to fly to Atlanta from Europe. When we flew out of Amsterdam this summer, several passengers had small dogs. I asked one how much they charged and she told me 40 guilders each way (about $70 US at the time). Makes me wish I fit into one of those carriers. We were luckier than you because none of the four- legged travelers uttered a sound. Considering the length of the flight and lack of "relief", that's pretty amazing. One interesting thing is that all the US requires for the entry of a domestic animal (at from Amsterdam)is their shot records, which must be up-to-date.

Patrick-One of the airlines flew a pot belly pig recently because the owner talked the gate agents into believing the pig was a service animal. The pig got out and ran all over the plane and pooped everywhere before being subdued. And get this the airline ruled that the pig had every right to fly in the cabin because it was indeed a service animal. Talk about screwy!!

Well, considering the variety of alleged people now flying I think I would take a small barking dog any time over the people. Especially the out of control kids, slamming tray tables up and down, running up and down the aisles, kicking the seat back, screaming, crying, farting, puking, and in general never being supervised by their so called parents. Maybe the kids should be the ones in the cages under the seats and the nice little doggies riding up there in the seat. At least I could carry on a meaningful discussion with the dog and he/she wouldn't be spilling his drink all over the place.

Dogs YES. Kids NO!

Alleged people?

The last dog I saw on a flight was Rosanne Barr - woof!!!

Here we go for another "Animals versus Children" diatribe.......