Here Comes Summer
Posted by Anne Corke on 2007-05-30. Filed under Monthly Feature
Summer is finally here and vacation time is fast approaching. Here are some basic travel tips that are worth reviewing.
When you travel with your dog, be sure to plan ahead. Pack his bed, his leash, his food, his bowls and a supply of fresh water. Don't forget his medications, including heartworm and flea preventives. Bring along his health information, and try to obtain numbers for a local veterinarian and emergency clinic at your destination. It's a good idea to assemble a doggy first aid kit in a small waterproof container. Your kit may include gauze pads, gauze roll or bandages, adhesive tape, Vetwrap bandages, thermometer, tweezers, small pair of scissors, cotton swabs, eyedroppers, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, and a pet first aid book, if you have one. For more information about doggy first aid, check these websites:
Dog Owner's Guide – a simple first aid kit – www.canismajor.com/dog/fstaidk.html
American Red Cross – first aid for pets – www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/firstaid.html
Pet Place.com – first aid kit for dogs – www.petplace.com/dogs/first-aid-kit-for-dogs/page1.aspx
When planning your trip, be sure and check for dog-friendly accommodations along your route. There are many helpful websites devoted to travelling with your dog, including:
Pets Can Stay - www.petscanstay.ca/
Dog Friendly Directory - www.dogfriendlydirectory.com
Pet Friendly - www.petfriendly.ca/
For the safety of your family and your dog, when travelling in the car, ensure that your dog is secured with a seatbelt or in his crate. When you stop along the way, never leave your dog in the car. The temperature inside your car on a summer day can soar to 50C in a matter of minutes, causing heat stroke or even death. If your dog is not a good traveller, plan extra rest stops to make the trip easier on him and you. And when you stop for a break, always leash your dog for his own safety. Make sure he has a drink of water and a short walk before setting out again.
Take your time. Enjoy yourself, enjoy your dog and enjoy the journey. Have a wonderful summer!