Preparing for the next trip

Travel tips by Annabelle

Annabelle

     Sometimes my humans will take me along with them on their adventures.  I love to travel in the car, and think there's nothing better than hanging my head out of the window and letting my ears flap in the wind.  
    Those of us with four legs and permanent furry coats need to have travel preparations made for us too.  These are the things that I insist on to have a comfortable vacation:

1. I have my own suitcase to take- it even has a golden retriever name tag.  In it are some of my toys, a blanket, a soft sheet to cover furniture so that I won't leave any shedding hair, my snacks, a 20 foot lead (leash) so that I can be attached to a human or building and still have some meandering area, extra kibble to keep me healthy, and beach towels to dry me off after a romp in the surf.
2. I have my own special travel food and water dishes that also have a container with more of my kibble in it.  These dishes then connect together and have a handle so that even I can carry them.
3. I have heard that a change in water can really mess with a canine's digestive system, and I definitely don't want to go on a trip and get a case of bad puppy poops, so I make sure that I have containers of water that I am used to and won't bother me.
4. I always carry my  "Puppy Passport".  This has information on my microchip, my license, my shot record, information about my doctor's office, where I live and recent pictures of me.  If my humans didn't join me on a sudden adventure that I spontaneously decided to take, I want to make sure that we can find each other.  Naturally, I always wear my necklace (don't call it a collar!) with my license, my name, and information on where I live.  
5. The humans also make preparations so that I'm safe in the car.  There is a screen that separates the front seat from the back.  This keeps me from flying through the console in the event of sudden stops.  I also have a stylish harness style seat belt to keep me safe.  They make sure that the leg wells are padded in so that my legs can't fall off the seat, and they also stretch out my bed in the back seat so that can easily take a nap. 
6. Naturally, I always have a supply of clean-up bags for when I go for walks- a lady never wants to leave evidence of her body functions while on vacation or any other time.

     

I'm packed and ready to go! Now if I can just get those two packed up too, we'll be on our way.  

Coming up- the Florida Panhandle.