Summer Traveling With My Dog

This is a story about a road trip I took with myhappen to be in the area. The last thing I need
dog this summer. This is an informational storywhen away from home is to get a citation for an
that will provide some insight as to what youordinance violation. One bad thing about traveling
need to consider when you travel with your pet.alone with a pet was that when I had to use the
My dog's safety while in the car had to berestroom, I had no choice but to leave Sephi in
considered. I needed to know where to make pitthe car for a few minutes. There were signs
stops along the way. And I needed to know whatclearly posted at the rest stops prohibiting dogs
hotels would allow her to stay.from entering the buildings so Sephi was not
Sephi is my dog's name, short for Persephone.allowed to go into the restroom with me.
Sephi is a 55 pound dog, part German shepherd,Sephi drank water while a the rest tops but she
part Labrador, part chow, part border collie, etc.did not eat until we got to our destination. This is
She loves to ride in the car. I don't generally takebecause Sephi tends to get a little car sick if she
her with me in the car during the summer unlesshas food in her stomach. Our trip was only four
it is to the park. But I needed to go to St. Louishours long so she did not go hungry for very long.
for business. As a female, I don't like to travelWhen we reached St Louis we had to find a hotel.
alone too far from home. So I decided to takeKnowing by experience that many hotels allow
Sephi with me as my "guard dog". It is a fourpets, I did not do any research beforehand. As a
hour drive from Kansas City to St Louis, andresult, I visited two other hotels before I found
99% of the trip would be spent on the interstate.one that both accepted dogs and had wi-fi access.
Before leaving, I made sure Sephi's tags wereThe hotel we stayed at was the Red Roof Inn. It
legible and that they were adequately secured towas fairly inexpensive and comfortable. I brought
her collar. Sephi is not the type of dog to run off,Sephi's carrier in the room. This gave her the
but I'd rather not take any chances. Her tags notcomfort of familiar surroundings, but the carrier
only have her name and my phone number, butwas necessary for another reason as well. Most
they also have her vet's phone number. Thehotels require that if you have to leave your pet
major dog essentials needed for this trip includedalone in the room that the pet be confined. I had
Sephi's leash, her dog car seat belt, water and herbusiness to take care of and I would not be able
water bowl, dog food, doggie bags for picking upto take her with me. So she stayed in her carrier
her waste, and her pet carrier (which is also herwhile I left the hotel. Hotels have this rule for two
doggie bed). Sephi wore her dog car seat belt themajor reasons. First, the hotel does not want
entire time she was in the car. The dog seat beltpets destroying their property. Sephi is not
she uses is easy to put on and comfortable fordestructive, but some dogs are so the hotel
her to wear. The dog car seat belt is worn like amakes the rule apply to all dogs. Second, if hotel
harness. A strap extends from the back of thepersonnel needs to enter the room they don't
harness and latches into the seat belt receptacle.want the pet to escape or to bite the intruder.
Whenever Sephi is not in the car, the strap canBefore you travel with your pet, you may want
be unhooked and replaced with a leash so thatto find a hotel that allows pets first. Be sure to
she doesn't have to have the harness taken onread their pet policy so that you can make sure
and off.you comply with the guidelines.
I brought my own food and snacks or only wentAll-in-all, the road trip was a success. I felt safe
to places where I could pick up food quick so thattraveling alone with my "guard dog". Sephi was
I wouldn't have to leave Sephi in the car. It wassafe wearing her dog car seat belt. She was kept
over 90 degrees outside and could get evenhydrated and had plenty of potty breaks at the
hotter inside a car. Other pit stops wererest stops. And she was comfortable during her
necessary. Since the drive was mostly onstay at the hotel. Traveling with a pet does not
interstate 70 there were several rest stops alonghave to be an inconvenience if you remember
the way. These rest stops not only had restroomcertain points. Research hotels and hotel pet
facilities for me, but they also had designated petpolicies before traveling. Bring the pet's carrier if
areas for Sephi. Most rest stops in the Unitedyou plan on leaving the hotel without your pet.
States have designated pet areas. Even though itMake sure your dog is wearing their tags and
was obvious that many pet owners did not pickbring their leash. Make sure your dog has a vehicle
up after their pets, I used the doggie bags to pickrestraint such as a dog car seat belt or a pet car
up after Sephi. Not only did I do this as aseat. Bring something to pick up after your pet.
courtesy, but I also did it in order to avoid gettingBring plenty of water. And last but not least,
into trouble with any law enforcement that mayenjoy your trip!