More Tips fro Traveling with Pets.

[Mick159]

I belong to AAA, an auto club....there are many out there to choose from. I use AAA because I can get books on each state on motels, hotels, eating places, room rates, whether they allow pets, etc. I stay mostly at Day's Inn but I have friends that say they use Comfort Inns...If you get books like AAA hands out to members, they will tell you all sorts of places where you can stay with your pets. I recommend staying at a motel on the outskirts of town. It is easier and safer to "Walk your Pet" More vacant lots,less traffic and other dogs and such...But, you still have to look at the ground you are on to make sure there is no
oken glass, or anything else that could harm your dog. Don't let them sniff and lick...they could pick up "something" they don't need. The reason I
ing up that you need to know the "rules" is because these motels are owned by different groups or individuals and they each make up their own...I have paid as low as nothing and as high as $40 to have my pet in my room with me. The quality of the motels are different. The newer ones really don't want dogs there, I think, so they are usually more expensive. BUT NOT ALWAYS!!! You have to ask to find out just what each motel charges and what they expect of you an your dog....I know what I will do and only ask the price of the room and that I have a dog and how much will it cost....if they start bellyaching about people in the past etc.....I say "Thanks but No Thanks" and leave...These motels seem to be "out to get" dog owners for what others have done before. I was asked to leave a deposit rather than pay extra for the dog...deposit being returned when I was ready to leave.....I got to the room and found large stains where I am sure some one actually threw up, not a dog...and I refused the room because I had heard these motels can keep your deposit and you can't prove that that stain wasn't put there by your dog. They gave me another room and I made the desk clerk come and sign off that it was in good condition when I got there and the same when I left....I used puppy pads to protect the carpet just in case... Don't leave a pet in the room by itself...even in a crate...I have my reasons for saying this but I won't elaborate here...just believe me and don't do it. Try, if you can, to take your "home" water for your pet. If you can't, I suggest buying bottled water. Some pets won't drink different water, and some get very carsick on different water.....if they don't drink, they can dehydrate and you don't want that. While traveling in a car with your pet, never park the car with the pet in it for very long and NOT IN THE HEAT AT ALL. Feed yourself at fast food drive ups and buy your gas where it is under a canopy so your car won't heat up even for the time your taking to relieve yourself or just pay for your gas. Your bladder may be able to hold more than your pets....try frequent stops for walks even if the pet doesn't want to "go"...It keeps their bodily functions active and they don't end up with digestive problems as easily. I may be over on this post so I will add more on another...Not quite sure as to how long one can write on this forum <i>Edited by Mick159  at: 8/27/99 5:44:14 pm<
>Edited by Mick159  at: 8/27/99 5:46:26 pm<
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[Mick159]

I always have a current list of vaccinations etc with me and signed by my vet...I have never been asked for them but I keep them handy anyway... As for Lyme Disease.....I live in Montana...We don't have the problem here in this section (south central) and I purposely asked my vet today about the vaccination...They are not absolutely sure they would push it unless there was an out
eak around here. There have been some "bad" reactions to the vaccine. They do recommend using a deterant, such as a spray for keeping ticks etc. at bay...(A spray made for DOGS, not people) If you don't travel where the ticks are going to fall off the bushes on to your pet, your chances seem to be small of having a problem..We have ticks here, but you have to take your dogs TO them to get one. I don't live in a city or town either. Other places in the nation have big infestations of ticks and therefore need to be more aware. So I probably haven't done much to answer your question, Ingrid. I guess I would try to find out about the areas you will be traveling through and to, to see what you need to do about it. I got quite long winded on this subject, but then dogs tend to be my "favorite people". <i></i>

[Ingrid]

Hi Mick! Thank you so much for such a complete source of information!!! Those tips are extremely handy!!!!! Take care, <U>Ingrid</U><i></i>