| Hot dogs and planes! Summer is a good | | | | out slowly by just taking the pet to the |
| time for both of them. Why not try | | | | airport with you. That's all. Let them |
| taking your dog flying with you if you | | | | get used to the sights and sounds. |
| haven't already? | | | | Then your next trip you can put your pet |
| I'm not talking commercial airlines | | | | into the plane, but don't take off yet - |
| here, this is general aviation. Little | | | | let the animal sit in the plane and get |
| private planes owned by little private | | | | used to it. If you will be using a |
| people who fly out of little private | | | | harness to secure them now is a good |
| airports (or dirt strips as the case may | | | | time to calmly give it a try. |
| be). | | | | Nonchalance and acting like you have all |
| There are probably lots of people | | | | the time in the world is crucial here if |
| reading this who have put their dog in a | | | | you have a skeptical pet. |
| crate and watched it vanish off into the | | | | A couple of dry runs like this are ideal |
| cargo hold of the commercial jet for a | | | | as they allow the pet to acclimate |
| trip and wondered if that animal would | | | | themselves to the new situation on their |
| have disintegrated into a nervous puddle | | | | own terms. |
| of goo by the time the plane landed at | | | | Eventually you can start up the plane |
| the destination...this is a completely | | | | and see how things go in the backseat. |
| different situation. We're talking a | | | | If you are happy with what is going on |
| chance to get out of the house and have | | | | then keep the "baby-step" format going |
| some fun with your pet!!! | | | | until you are 100% sure that your pet is |
| Think of it as an opportunity to spend | | | | comfortable in the plane. Practice |
| more quality time with your hairy (or | | | | taxiing. |
| scaly or slimy) friend. In addition to | | | | Then, finally, you can take off. As you |
| dogs I will also include all other "pet" | | | | can see, this is not an impulsive "Oooh |
| animals that could comfortably fit in a | | | | it's Saturday, let's go flying for the |
| small plane - cats, ferrets, guinea | | | | first time today" type of deal. You MUST |
| pigs, pot bellied pigs, ant farms, | | | | consider the pet's well-being, or you |
| bullfrogs, you name it! | | | | might end up paying a doggie |
| That said, a good plan when considering | | | | psychotherapist a lot of money somewhere |
| bringing your buddy along for his first | | | | down the road. This is avoidable. Take |
| flight is to keep in mind how your pet | | | | your time. Plus, anyone who is a dog |
| reacts to riding in the car. If he is | | | | psychotherapist needs to be seriously |
| "gung-ho" about it, there's a pretty | | | | questioned as to their sanity anyway. |
| good chance that he'll enjoy the plane | | | | Things to bring with you on that first |
| as well. | | | | fateful flight: |
| If the instant he rounds the corner and | | | | 1. Yourself |
| sees the car he barfs, this probably | | | | 2. Helper |
| isn't going to be an enjoyable time for | | | | 3. Pet |
| either one of you and perhaps you should | | | | 4. Safety harness for pet to sit in back |
| reconsider. | | | | seat if pet is large enough |
| However, if you are stuck between a rock | | | | 5. Food & water for everybody |
| and a hard place and your | | | | 6. Hearing protection |
| projectile-vomiting pet absolutely HAS | | | | 7. A sense of humor |
| to fly with you there is a product out | | | | 8. Windex to clean nose prints off the |
| there that works beautifully called Sic | | | | window |
| Sacs. Intended for humans, the | | | | Take advantage of summertime and spend |
| developers probably wouldn't mind if you | | | | some quality time with your pet - it may |
| used them for a different species. | | | | take a little bit of getting used to for |
| (Assistant in full-body rubber suit to | | | | both of you, but in the long run it will |
| sit in back seat with pet and hold bag | | | | be well worth the effort, and it will |
| is highly recommended if you choose this | | | | ensure that you can spend more time |
| option). | | | | together and less time feeling guilty |
| An important consideration when flying | | | | for neglecting them at home whole you go |
| with an animal is hearing protection. | | | | out and have all the fun! |
| You have it, so why shouldn't they? | | | | So, there you were...not thinking about |
| Their hearing is even more sensitive | | | | bringing your pet with you in the plane. |
| than yours. | | | | You were worried that he might chew |
| Mutt Muffs! What, you say? A company | | | | through his crate while you were out |
| called Safe and Sound Pets makes | | | | flying, but now you have a wonderful |
| aviation headsets for dogs, which they | | | | opportunity to spend more time with him. |
| call Mutt Muffs. The research and | | | | Carpe diem! |
| development behind this product is | | | | Looking for more information on private |
| extensive and it is definitely worth | | | | planes and dogs? Have you ever heard |
| looking into if you plan on taking your | | | | about the rescue group of volunteer |
| pooch on flights with you. They even | | | | pilots who fly animals in need to |
| engineered them to fit a dog's head with | | | | wherever their new home is going to be? |
| special straps! | | | | They are looking for volunteers, so if |
| There's no reason why your pet should | | | | you're interested in donating your time |
| have to suffer from noise when there is | | | | and flying expertise to help animals you |
| a product out there that you can train | | | | can check it out. The internet is a |
| him to wear that will protect his | | | | great place to start your research. The |
| hearing. With all different sizes (yes, | | | | organization is called Flying Paws, and |
| there's one that will fit a cat) there's | | | | after having taught your own animal to |
| no excuse not to give this a try! | | | | ride happily with you it should be a |
| How to fly with your pet: You can start | | | | piece of cake! |