As if flying these days isn’t harrowing enough…high gas prices make for high ticket fares, we have to pay extra fees to check bags and the various stages of security could give a Valium have a full blown anxiety attack. So, when I said I wasn’t flying without my dogs, everyone thought I was nuts.

When planning a last minute trip to be with my family this week, I decided there was no way I was leaving the furkids behind - airport stress or not, I couldn’t imagine embarking on this adventure without them. For airlines that allow pets in cabin, make sure to call the airline as your doggie needs a reservation, just like you do!

Pre-trip, my husband and I headed to our favorite Miami locale for the latest and greatest in dog gear, South Beach’s Dog Bar and spent well over an hour deliberating on the best carrier for the pooches to fly in. The dogs were pretty good natured as we went about stuffing them into various bags to see which provided the optimum balance of comfort, space and stability.

While there were plenty of bright, stylish options, we decided to go with a classic Sherpa Bag. The officially approved soft-sided pet carrier for in cabin use by a variety of airlines, the bag is sturdy and in this day and age, the insurance of ‘official approval’ put my mind at ease.

Surprisingly, traveling with the dogs was the easiest part of the trip. They stayed, together, comfortably in their bag for well over four hours throughout the travel process and the Louis’ anxiety, scratching and howling couldn’t compare in annoyance to the disorganization of the airport’s check in system and security lines.

Airport security enjoyed giving Louis and Ella Bean a scratch behind the ears as we went through the metal detectors and I ended up seated on the flight with a dog obsessed couple who were so excited to get a peek of the wet noses inside my carry-on.

The Sherpa bag proved to be a great investment. The pups were restless due to the hustle and bustle of the airport and I made sure to administer some Rescue Remedy to sooth them. Ella Bean was cool as a cucumber but Louis was none to thrilled being confined and in an unfamiliar environment. He barked from inside the bag, howled and dug to try and escape - the bag is still in perfect condition! However, I think I’ll give Louis a mild sedative for the trip home.

Louis’ behavior not withstanding, the Sherpa’s functionality can not be overstated. The wheels are recessed, gliding smoothly over uneven airport flooring, there are mesh panels on all four sides, providing ventilation, but the panels include easy to use roll flaps to restrict the pup’s vision and give them a little privacy and security, which proved super useful.

The bag also has a few loading options, depending on your pet, you can help them into the bag from the top or side, depending on his preference. There are plenty of pockets to stow extras like travel documents and the inside has this awesome super soft faux lambskin liner creating a comfy environment for the pooch on the go.

After the harrowing process of checking my bag, getting through security and the disorganization of Miami International Airport, I have to say, traveling with dogs is not a hassle at all. It was by far the easiest part of travel.

Keep that in mind on your next vacation and let’s leave no pet behind!

   Email This Post

Related Categories:

Dogs - General Interest

 

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.