Canine Accommodations During Man's Most Locomotive Time of the Year

Jessica Burtch
Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:57:44 -0800
Lifestyle

In a perfect world, our dogs would be welcome everywhere we go and regardless of how we get there. As it stands, while your dog is greeted with a smile and a water bowl at almost any patio cafe in the country and in Nordstroms nationwide — as long as she takes the elevator and not the escalator up and down — her mode of long-distance transportation is pretty much limited to the automobile.

Dogs weighing not much more than 15 pounds can fly on some commercial airlines — for a fee, of course. And earlier this year, Amtrak launched a carry-on pet pilot program allowing dogs and cats weighing less than 20 pounds to travel in carriers with their owners — for a fairly reasonable fee of $25/pet. But the pilot program is at this time limited to certain trains within the Illinois area. Success there will hopefully bring similar options to train-traveling pet owners from sea to shining sea.

But big dogs and fat cats are "persona" non grata. Ditto with even the medium-sized. And you rabbit people are totally out of luck.
Updated: Sat Nov 08, 2014

In a perfect world, our dogs would be welcome everywhere we go and regardless of how we get there. As it stands, while your dog is greeted with a smile and a water bowl at almost any patio cafe in the country and in Nordstroms nationwide — as long as she takes the elevator and not the escalator up and down — her mode of long-distance transportation is pretty much limited to the automobile.

Dogs weighing not much more than 15 pounds can fly on some commercial airlines — for a fee, of course. And earlier this year, Amtrak launched a carry-on pet pilot program allowing dogs and cats weighing less than 20 pounds to travel in carriers with their owners — for a fairly reasonable fee of $25/pet. But the pilot program is at this time limited to certain trains within the Illinois area. Success there will hopefully bring similar options to train-traveling pet owners from sea to shining sea.

But big dogs and fat cats are "persona" non grata. Ditto with even the medium-sized. And you rabbit people are totally out of luck.

Where does that leave those of us who must schlep between the Pacific and the Atlantic to satisfy familial yearnings or obligations, or who feel an intense desire for a white Christmas or an equally strong urge to escape one? Most of us aren't going to drive those distances, particular in winter weather. And while we want to share the holidays with our beloved animals, let's face it — they don't know Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah from February 4.

Keeping that in mind and wrestling images of Christmas morning presents with puppy out of our heads, let's go over some options.

Dog boarding has been around for a long time. Some veterinarians offer boarding services, and, like everything, there are pros and cons. Pros: Your dog is in the care of someone trained and licensed to deal with medical emergencies. If he's with his regular vet, he's with someone already familiar with his personality and any special needs. He's in a situation where someone has a vested interest in providing excellent care — a reputation, a livelihood and an expensive medical license depend on it. The cons of boarding with a vet: Typically, your dog will spend all day, save a few walks, in a cage in a sterile medical facility with other yapping dogs. And it is unlikely that anyone will be on site after business hours.

A dog boarding facility dedicated solely to the daycare and overnight care of dogs is another option. Such places vary widely in both price and amenities. Some offer suites where two or more dogs from the same family can bunk together. Others are more basic — two hots and a cot. Some boast doggie wonderlands of acres and acres devoted to size-specific group play areas. Others rely on secure indoor areas for exercise and play. Some come equipped with web cams that allow you to monitor your dog throughout his stay. Others, you're flying blind.

Regardless of your budget, never board your dog at a facility you personally have not seen. Pay a visit beforehand — and cross any facility that doesn't welcome you to do this off of your list. See for yourself where your dog will sleep, where he will get his exercise, where he will play, where he will be walked, where he will eat. Know for yourself how many other dogs he will be exposed to at a time and who will monitor group activity. Find out whether and who will be on site after hours — and how often dogs are checked on throughout the night.

If you prefer your dog stay in the comfort of her own home, look for reputable dog sitters. Ask your vet or a neighbor for a referral. Check sites such as dogvacay.com for people who watch dogs either in their home or yours. DogVacay posts profiles of dog sitters of varying degrees of experience, and site users can browse for sitters in their area and read reviews posted by people who have used their services.

The good news is, travel and boarding options for dog lovers get better every year. Just don't delay in seeking them. There's still a lot of competition for a limited amount of space. The price of a plane ticket and the price of a boarding slot are no different in the face of demand.