Travelling with Your Pet

Thanksgiving week is upon us.  If you are heading out to Grandma’s house with your little buddy, here are a few travel tips:

·      Secure your pet.  Gracie has a car seat (see recent review) now.  Prior to this purchase, I used a safety harness.  Kiki has a crate.   Fortunately, we have lots of options nowadays for securing our furry family members.  It will give you peace of mind as you travel, and your buddy will have a safe place to chill during the journey.

·       Bring enough food for your friend.  Gracie’s food is hard to find.  Maybe your brand is too.  Don’t count on a local pet supply store having your buddy’s brand of food.  Plus, it will be one less hassle once you arrive.  Who wants to spend time driving all over town, looking for a special pet food?

·       Include things from home.  When you are packing for your pet, don’t forget to include a few items that will remind him or her of your home.  Familiar scents and items can ease some of the stress of being in a new situation.

Most important of all, take a deep breath and stay calm.  You travelled all that way to see those people so enjoy your time there.  And, if you get really stressed, take your buddy for a walk.  I am sure he or she will be as ready as you are to get away from all the family chaos.

Good luck!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Traveling Solo

Unfortunately, Rescue Daddy could not join us on our island adventure until later in the week. This meant that Gracie and I travelled to Kiawah on our own. It is the first time she and I have done that. It was an interesting trip.

After the initial meltdown over being forced in the car, Gracie tucked into the seat and trembled for awhile. She would occasionally peek around if I slowed the car. Otherwise, she was content to bemoan her fate in silence.

At rest area stops, I left the car running and locked her inside. I confess I was a bit worried. Would someone steal the car? Would she flip out?

The first time I stopped, she did not take it well. She had a little meltdown on my return. She was sitting in the driver’s seat, trembling. However, the rest of the stops went well. She figured out that I was coming back for her. She waited for me in the driver’s seat, no more trembling. In fact, she rolled onto her back the last time and wanted a tummy rub for her troubles.

The return trip went smoother. It is almost as if she realized resistance was futile. The only problem we had was a rest stop in South Carolina. One of the workers informed us we should not be walking in a particular area. Oh, it was okay for them to smoke by the picnic tables and flick cigarette butts, but Gracie could not track her “dirty” paws through the pine needles and sand. Yeah, that’s fair.

I think the trip went well because I did a little advance planning. I figured out how to lock the car with the keys in the ignition (hey, those safety features are tricky) so that Gracie did not spend time trapped in a hot car. I planned where we would stop for breaks. And, most importantly, I prepared myself for a few meltdowns from Gracie and stayed patient. With a little planning, you can have a successful trip too.

Rescue Mommy

Travel Safety

The summer travel season is drawing to a close, with the start of school just around the corner for many. We wanted to revisit this article in case you are planning a last minute getaway.

It is important to keep your furry friend safe when you travel, even if it is just for a trip down the street. The most important safety tip is simple: never leave your pet unattended in your vehicle. Temperatures can soar in no time at all. Yes, you may think you are going to pop in for a second. Do not take the risk. Even if the temperatures are reasonable, what’s to stop someone from stealing your precious pooch? It is not worth the risk.

Next, it is a good idea to secure your pet in the vehicle. Allowing your pet to roam around the vehicle is a dangerous situation. If you must stop suddenly, the pet will be bounced around the cabin – and possibly right into you. Also, your furry buddy is a huge distraction as he or she explores your car or leans too far out the window.

We have found several items that are helpful in securing your pet:

Car harness: This type of harness is a bit different from your run-of-the-mill harness. It usually contains a little extra padding. It works with your seatbelt to secure your pet in the car. Depending upon your dog’s size, a car harness can cost $30-$60.

Seatbelt strap: We use this with Gracie and love it. It is very inexpensive, about $10. Petco sells the nicest version.

It has a hook on one end, which you fasten to your dog’s harness. The other end has a loop, through which you thread the seatbelt. We like this device because we could use the harness she wears every day. Plus, it has a little bit of “play” in the length. She can still place her paws on the arm rest and lean out the window but not so much that it is a safety hazard.

Car seat: These seats are basically super plush boxes that fasten to the car seat – either through loops around the headrest or through the seatbelt. The dog does not have a lot of wiggle room which may be an issue for some pets. Also, car seats seem to be more for small- to medium-sized dogs. Expect to pay at least $60 for a basic seat. We have seen luxury seats priced at $200 and up.

We hope you find the right solution for you and your buddy.
Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Hello, My Name is Gracie, and I STILL Dislike Traveling

Last year, Gracie spent a good portion of the trip trembling in the back seat. As we have chronicled in many posts, we were determined to ease her anxiety for both local and long distance trips. We have tried several things over the last few months – a calming collar, ThunderShirt, DAP, homeopathic remedies, et cetera. In addition, we have been taking her for short drives in the evenings.

For this year’s trip, we planned ahead. We placed quartz rocks in the car. We had lavender incense in the front of the car; lavender is supposed to be soothing. I gave her half of an Ultra Calm tablet about two hours before we left. I tried slipping on the calming collar about an hour before departure. Unfortunately, she began shaking violently because she now associates the collar with a car ride. I tossed the collar on the back seat instead; maybe having the scent in the car would be enough.

Gracie was excited at first. She even put her paws on the car door. When she saw the luggage the car, though, she had a meltdown. It was brutal and heartbreaking.

Once we were about a mile down the road, she settled down. She stopped shaking, which is a huge improvement. When we stopped at rest areas, she did resist getting back into the car the first couple of times. After that, she seemed to accept her fate.

We did not take Gracie with us on all of our little excursions after we arrived. We said, “Are you ready?” She hid under the nearest bed. Clearly, she preferred to spend her vacation at the condo. When we returned, she found her sleeping on our bed, happy and well rested.

When she did accompany us into the city, she was still anxious riding in the car and walking on the streets. However, when we grabbed a bite to eat at a restaurant on a busy street, she settled underneath the table and was really good. She happily ate a few bites of grilled chicken. Last year, she would have been spooked by the traffic, trembling under the table and refusing to eat anything.

These small improvements are very encouraging for us. We think the Ultra Calm tablet may have helped a little. The biggest helper may have come from the training we have tried to do lately. If you have an anxious dog like us, keep trying new things. It can get better.

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Travel Safety II

In the second post on the topic, we would like to discuss some of the things we like to take along with us when we travel with Gracie:

Vet records (abridged version): We like to have proof of her rabies vaccination along with a list of when her other vaccinations were given. If she had any special medical conditions or took certain medications, we would take information about that too. You never know when you might find yourself at emergency medical hospital miles away from home.

Medication: If your furry friend routinely takes medication, don’t forget to bring it. Or, if he/she is due for a dose of heartworm or other preventative, be sure to bring it too.

A side note about heartworm and flea meds: If you do not give these medicines to your pet now, you might want to inform your vet about your travel plans. You may be visiting an area that has a high prevalence of heartworm cases or is badly infested with ticks.

Food and water: Always bring along plenty of the type of food your pet eats now. Pet stores in the area you are visiting might not carry it.

I have also read that bringing along water from home is a good idea too. Apparently, your furry friend might refuse the local water. We always bring bottled water for both Gracie and ourselves since we do not like the local water either!

A favorite toy and/or blanket: If your buddy is stressed, something that is familiar might ease the transition.

First aid kit: You can buy a ready-made kit at your local pet store. Or, you can make your own. Ours includes: gauge, paper tape, tweezers, triple antibiotic cream, anti-itch cream, cotton swabs, cotton balls, and alcohol wipes. We also toss in some Benadryl caplets and a pill splitter, since Gracie sometimes has skin irritation. (Please consult your vet before administering any medicine to your pet.)

Collapsible bowls: These bowls are great for giving your buddy food and water on the run. Who wants to dig out the stainless steel bowls from the back of the car? When your buddy is finished, just fold them up and tuck them away. Look for a future review on bowls we like.

His/her normal bowls: Again, it is just a little comfort from home to use these items. Hopefully, you do not use the breakable kind!

Car seat covers: Covers for your car seats come in all shapes, sizes, and price points. Before you begin looking at covers, do a little research about your vehicle. My Subaru has side impact airbags that spring from the side of the seat, which means I cannot cover that area with fabric. That rules out certain types of car seat covers.

Also, look carefully at the cover’s fabric. Will your dog’s hair embed in it, requiring tweezers for removal – or can you easily brush off the fur? Is the cover washable?

I plan to make a basic cover for the limited area where Gracie will be. Keep that option in mind too. Unless you are driving a Bentley, I doubt a homemade seat cover will be that offensive. You can find upholstery remnants at a fabric store and make it on the cheap.


We could go on and on about all the things we take for Gracie. We pack almost as much stuff for her as we do for ourselves! However, we consider the above-mentioned items to be the most essential, though. Good luck in your future travels!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Travel Safety Part I

Summer travel season is just around the corner. Thanks to high gas prices, you might consider keeping your adventures closer to home. It is important to keep your furry friend safe when you travel, even if it is just for a trip down the street.

The most important safety tip is simple: never leave your pet unattended in your vehicle. Temperatures can soar in no time at all. Yes, you may think you are going to pop in for a second. Do not take the risk. Even if the temperatures are reasonable, what’s to stop someone from stealing your precious pooch? It is not worth the risk.

Next, it is a good idea to secure your pet in the vehicle. Allowing your pet to roam around the vehicle is a dangerous situation. If you must stop suddenly, the pet will be bounced around the cabin – and possibly right into you. Also, your furry buddy is a huge distraction as he or she explores your car or leans too far out the window.

We have found several items that are helpful in securing your pet:

Car harness: This type of harness is a bit different from your run-of-the-mill harness. It usually contains a little extra padding. It works with your seatbelt to secure your pet in the car. Depending upon your dog’s size, a car harness can cost $30-$60.

Seatbelt strap: We use this with Gracie and love it. It is very inexpensive, about $10. Petco sells the nicest version.

It has a hook on one end, which you fasten to your dog’s harness. The other end has a loop, through which you thread the seatbelt. We like this device because we could use the harness she wears every day. Plus, it has a little bit of “play” in the length. She can still place her paws on the arm rest and lean out the window but not so much that it is a safety hazard.

Car seat: These seats are basically super plush boxes that fasten to the car seat – either through loops around the headrest or through the seatbelt. The dog does not have a lot of wiggle room which may be an issue for some pets. Also, car seats seem to be more for small- to medium-sized dogs. Expect to pay at least $60 for a basic seat. We have seen luxury seats priced at $200 and up.

We hope you find the right solution for you and your buddy. Tune in on Wednesday for more travel tips!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy