Summertime: the season of warmth and relaxation — and for many of us, travel. As in many households with pets (especially dogs), our travel plans often include decisions about hiring caregivers, finding good boarding facilities, or attempting to bring the animals along. While we try to find the best possible solutions for our dogs, there is almost always some guilt involved in disrupting their routine and sense of safety.
It is not easy to travel with pets, but sometimes it makes sense to include them. For example, my mother sometimes comes to visit for weeks or even months at a time. Her elderly dog would be traumatized if he were separated from her for that long, and the cost of a long-term petsitter is cost-prohibitive. Fortunately, he is a small, quiet, and well trained dog who is allowed to fly with her in the airplane cabin as an “emotional support animal” (ESA). Airlines have been tightening restrictions on ESAs, but people who have a doctor’s authorization stating that they have been treated for anxiety, depression, or other relevant conditions can still get permission to bring certain animals on board. Each airline has its own requirements, usually posted on its website. For animals who are NOT official service animals or approved ESAs, air travel options are limited. Very small, crated pets can sometimes fly in the cabin if the crate fits under the airline seat. Larger animals have to fly in the cargo area, which can be traumatic. Also, extreme weather or physical conditions such as a snub nose or a weak heart can affect the animal’s safety.
For us, airline travel with pets is not an option. Even aside from safety concerns, we would not pay to fly three large dogs to our not-necessarily-pet-friendly vacation destinations. We definitely cannot bring them on overseas trips. Our solution is to leave the dogs at home, where they are in familiar surroundings. We have a trusted pet sitter come by several times a day. For long trips, we have the trusted pet sitter or close relatives stay in our home to give the dogs a sense of companionship and normalcy. I cannot overstate the importance of having a reliable, caring, and trustworthy pet sitter — and a backup if your pet sitting service is only one person. Even if you are not planning a trip, I recommend finding someone for “just in case” and introducing them to your pets. You never know when a last-minute crisis will come up, and it’s nice to have someone you can call even if it’s just to swing by your house because you’ll be late and your pets need to be let out or fed.
Even when we have someone loving and responsible to cover pet care while we’re gone, it’s nearly impossible not to feel guilty when those sad puppy eyes watch us walk out the door. At that point, all we can do is take a deep breath, know that they will be fine, and enjoy our trip.
