LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG - HITTIN' THE ROAD - SUMMER, 2007
THE CHICAGO REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
It's that time of the year again - beautiful Summer Weather, Outdoor Activities, and Babes in Bikinis all around (I saw a HOT POMERANIAN the other day, wearing a nice 4-Piece Swimsuit!).
It's also time to HIT THE ROAD, for that long-awaited Summer Vacation! My preference is always to travel by car, since it usually a lot more comfortable than a crate in the baggage compartment of a plane. I'm pictured here, warming up the passenger seat of my Dad's old Honda! I'm going to be the co-pilot - meaning, I read him the directions, then fold the road maps back up!
If you're considering taking a guy like me on the road this summer, there are a few things you need to remember:
THE VERY FIRST: Most dogs DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE! No matter how much we might beg you, you'll always be safer if you leave the driving to your human friends. People are much better at reaching the pedals - although we dogs can always help with picking up snacks along the way, as well as participating in bathroom breaks!
Here are a few more tips from my good friend, Diane Schmidt, from "Your Guide to Moving," as seen on the about.com website.
She first suggests taking your dog or cat on shorter trips first, building up to the long vacation trip. All the time, Dean and Sue take me to the bank (the tellers give GREAT TREATS, you dogs), the cleaners, and the park, to meet other dogs. You also need to get your pet used to being without you in the car for short periods of time, in places where dogs can't really visit (like Gibson's Steak House, for example, although I don't know why they wouldn't want me - I know how to appreciate good meat as well as any human!). Work the pets up to longer periods of travel.
Some pets feel more comfortable traveling in a carrier, while others just find a nice seat cushion to relax on. I'm more of a cushion man - forget those carriers. I love it when my humans pack my favorite sleeping pillow when we travel - feels just like home!
Diane suggests you take your pet to the vet before the trip. Local animal laws need to be complied with, and you need to make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel. Sedatives are generally not recommended, especially on plane trips, where you are unable to watch your pet. Being a man's man, I really don't like the vet, and HATE NEEDLES, but I want to make sure I'm going to be OK.
Make sure you book pet friendly hotels along the way, where it's easy to get your pet out for unexpected potty breaks. Also, stay away from those cheap flea-trap motels. Buddy Holly Moss won't stay in no flop house!
Identify nearby vet clinics in the towns you're traveling through, just in case. I hate getting sick on a family trip - in addition to feeling bad, I usually end up making the car smell pretty rank as well, if you know what I mean.
Also, make sure your pet has sufficient identification, and a valid rabies tag, around his neck, and consider an implanted ID Chip, available from your vet. I have several ID tags around my neck - at times, I sort of resemble a very small hip-hop singer, minus the tattoos, and the raunchy lyrics!
Take a look at Diane Schmidt's article for more information.
Going on a Road Trip this Summer with your human friends? Let me know - perhaps I can scout the territory ahead for you. You'll always recognize where I've been, because I leave reminders along the way, you know! Bark at you again when I return!
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS
