Someone PLEASE tell me how you stop to see a sight BETWEEN pet-friendly hotels and it is summer?

We have a summer cottage in upstate NY and because we have always taken our 3 dogs, we have never seen Howe Caverns - something we have passed 100's of times. Now I know I can die happily without seeing H Caverns, but it is a perfect example of the problem we have never figured out how to solve on a road trip.

I only briefly considered leaving the engine running, air conditioning on, locking the car and having another set of keys, but if the engine stalled, the pups could die in a matter of minutes, so that was a no brainer. (And don't anyone suggest windows open and in the shade...)

What do all of you do?

PS. YES! Most of the European hotels we have stayed in were pet friendly, as are restaurants. (Not that our guys had the pleasure of going with us there!!)
LOL LOL
France seemed the most friendly of all the places we have been so far. But be aware that the American Cemetery in Normandy does not allow dogs. (Typical!) We saw so many people who had to leave because they had assumed it was like everything else in France and

Sheila.......... We DON'T!!! We never can do stops on a summer roadtrip.... With pets in the car, you just can't. We give up a lot of things for the comfort of these guys. My sister was just lecturing me tonight about the fact that we give up so much for an 18 lb. fur-ball, as she calls him!

Now, this is a treat! People who love travel... and dogs too! You people are my kind of people!

I have two dogs who don't usually travel with us (except when we sneak them into the beachhouse!). We have people who stay at our home with them when we go away.

A very nice hotel that welcomes pets is the Monaco, a Kimpton Group property, with locations in many parts of the country, including New Orleans and San Francisco.


Sheila, could your group split up, one seeing the sight while one stays with the dog, then switch? Just a thought...

Article in today's Boston Globe (Sun 4/25) about Hotel Marlowe in Boston (actually Cambridge) and lengths they have gone to make it pet-friendly. Since few hotels in Boston allow pets, this may be useful to someone.

To bonniebroad - we have an elderly blind cat (plus other assorted creatures) who obviously stays home in familiar environment - but we without sameness of daily routine in household (pet feeder and affectionater comes in 2x/day) I am sure he is disoriented about time, etc.

My Westie is 18 years old. We plan trips that we can accomodate him on. At 14 we left him to fly and he was so distraught he went into serious depression, never again. So, he has been to 38 states, Mexico, and Canada. Most people frown over staying at Days Inn, but they actually have a travel guide for their "people with pets".
As far as traveling in the summer and having to leave puppy in the car...Sears sells a portable generator for about $100 that holds a charge for 40 hours, it weighs about 5 lbs. We have a water cooled fan that plugs into this and keeps our large van (not an RV)about 70 degrees in temps up to 100. He is blind and therefore more comfortable in a familiar environment with his own bed etc. His water, food is always in the same place in the van.One of the middle seats is removed during long trips to allow move around room for all of us and especially the dog. Amazingly he has NEVER (knock wood) done his business in the van.

I am looking for dog lodging suggestions near Yellowstone (coming in from east and leaving thru Jackson in south. What about lodging near North Rim of Grand Canyon? Also frustrated about not being able to get out of car at NPs with dog--who certainly would be a better guest than many others present. Also like the Kimpton Group hotels. Have stayed in Hotel Helix in DC and they were great about dog and were great hotel in general.

Oh, Arkansasnurse, you give me such hope. My little Westie turns 10 this year and I was fearing she was going to to begin slowing down. HOpefully she will have quite a few more years left.
I can't imagine life with out her, but I know one thing for sure. When the time comes, I won't waste any time getting another one. But how could another ever measure up?

For anyone interested in Cambridge, Ma. The Marlowe hotels allows dogs on the seventh floor and when you check in you will be given a box of baked doggy treats from our local Boston doggy bakery.

Arkansasnurse - can you email me at [email protected] more info on this generator and the FAN? Wondering how it lowers temp and how you set it up - sould 2 goofy greyhounds knock it over or someohow turn off genrator? Could some cruel person access generator power and turn it off?

Yes, Please more info about the
generator and fan. What smart people on this board!!!

Hi Bonnie -

I am a huge animal lover and fellow dog owner. My dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, is like a child to me and part of my family. I have actually organized weekends with other Ridgeback owners - so I am familiar with what you are going through.

Not sure if anyone gave you this info - but here are some great websites for hotels and resorts that will welcome your pups with welcome arms!



http://www.petswelcome.com/

http://www.dogfriendly.com/

http://www.dogtravel.com/

http://www.travelpets.com/

Thank you so much to all who have responded. I am making notes! For those who go through Aberdeen, Md in their travels, the Holiday Inn Chesapeake House there is WONDERFUL! I would stay there, even if I didn't have a pet. Great indoor pool, restaurant, etc. Thanks again for all those replies!

Westin hotels have a "Heavenly Dog" program, with a doggie bed & bathrobe!

www.takeyourpet.com, there is a small fee to join.

Bonnie,
Check www.petswelcom.com
We're past guide dog puppy raisers and operate a pet friendly hotel in the Columbia River Gorge, and like the organization of lodging who are members.
Jim