Disaster prep

Travel Plans

By planning your pet’s travel ahead of time, you can make your vacation or move a more relaxing experience for you and your pet.

1. HIRE A PET RELOCATION COMPANY

They are well versed in the necessary paperwork, regulations and requirements to safely transport your pet.

2.VISIT THE VETERINARIAN

Make an appointment for a check-up. Your pet should be microchipped and all vaccinations up to date. If you are traveling within the US, a health certificate from your vet dated within 10 days of departure and an original rabies certificate may be all you need. For travel outside the US additional planning and health care requirements will be necessary.

3. BUY A CARRIER

Whether your pet is a Chihuahua, Great Dane, or a parrot, there’s a pet carrier to match. Pets traveling in the cargo hold, will need a hard plastic carrier with holes for ventilation on all four sides, only one door and secured top to bottom with screws, not clips. Carriers must be big enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably, with at least 3 inches of room above his head. Snub nose breeds require even larger crates.

4.CAN I SEE SOME ID M’AAM?

Write your pet’s name on  carrier and include id tags with your home address and phone number, as well as the contact information of someone who can be reached at your destination. Carry a current photograph of your pet as well.

5.TAKE A TEST DRIVE

Animals travel under less stress when they are accustomed to their carrier before they travel. In the weeks prior to your trip, put your dog in his carrier as often as possible for trips around town. Make it a happy place to be by offering treats while he’s in his crate and encourage him to sleep in it.

6. EAT. DRINK. POOP. PLAY.

Since a full stomach might be uncomfortable for your pet during travel, we recommend feeding him about 12 hours before the flight. You can (and should) continue to offer water right up to the time of travel. Leave the dishes in the carrier in case an airline employee needs to provide your pet with food and water in the event of an extended delay before or after your flight. Exercise your pet and let him use the facilities (i.e.grass) before heading to the airport.

7.ARRIVE EARLY

But not too early. Have your pet’s health documents handy. Check-in time and location will be dependent on how your pet is flying. Know the rules of your chosen airline. Passengers with pets must check-in at the counter; curbside and self service check-in are not allowed.

8. (DON’T) TAKE A VALIUM

We don’t mind if you take a valium before the flight, but don’t give your pet tranquilizers just because you are nervous. Pets should not be given these medications because they can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems as the pet is exposed to increased altitude pressures. They can also alter the animal’s natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium.

BOXER

Boxers were originally a hunting dog, however throughout the years they have become a great companion, police and military dog. Boxers are a direct result of a mid nineteenth-century crossing between a Bullenbeisser (now extinct) and a Bulldog. They have very muscular bodies, a thick, deep well developed chest, drop ears that naturally incline forward a noticeable underbite, wrinkles on the forehead and muzzle, and a long whiplike tail. Unfortunately their ears are sometimes cropped and tail can sometimes be docked. 

They have a short, glossy flat coat that sheds minimally and needs to be brushed lightly. Most Boxers are fawn and brindle mixed with some white, though there are all white Boxers, these are prone to allergies and other medical issues. Their nails need to be kept quite short and they have a bouncy yet powerful gait. They are squarely built and range from 60 to 80 lbs. They need a well balanced diet as this breed has a tendency to be overweight and can have gastrointestinal sensitivities. 

Due to the breed’s short snout care must be taken when temperatures start rising. They tend not to do very well in very hot or very cold weather.

Boxers can be quite a handful when they are not exercised and trained adequately. Remember they got their name due to their tendency to stand on their back legs and bat with their front paws, appearing to box. They love a large fenced yard to romp around in and, once trained, are a loving, loyal family dog.

Weimaraner

The Weimaraner is a breed long treasured by the aristocrats of Weimar, Germany. It used to be known as the Weimar Pointer. They are believed to be descendants of the Bloodhound and were bred to hunt large animals like bears and deer. Though in modern times they are used as bird dogs because they have a soft bite.

They are referred to as the “grey ghost”.

They are agile and speedy, they need lots of exercise. 

They need space and good management of exercise. This is not a good dog for apartment life unless you are able to take them for long, energetic runs and keep them entertained with a lot of toys and things to do throughout the day. When this dog is bored it can be destructive.

Training is essential, it should start early and continue well into adulthood. When properly trained they make a good guard dog and excellent hunter of small and large animals. Lack of training and exercise will make them aggressive and difficult. Professional training is ideal in addition to ordinary home training.

Weimaraners have an excellent sense of smell, are gentle, brave and quick.

They are graceful and assertive, this dog has an aristocratic air.

Weimaraners’ coat is short, straight, shiny and is grey to silver; though you can also find blacks and blues. They only need occasional brushing, otherwise known as a zoom groom. 

Males should be between 57 and 77 lbs, while females run 55 to 70 lbs. They have a straight back and well developed chest, their tails are generally docked six inches from the tail joint.

This breed loves children and is very tolerant, they want to be around humans and other dogs, which can make them quite needy.

Labrador retriever

Labs are the most popular breed of dog in the US, Australia, Canada, New zealand and the UK.

Labradors are originally from Newfoundland Island in Canada but they are now bred almost all over the world.

Originally fishermen used them to assist in carrying ropes between boats and pulling out nets and stray fish from the water. Labradors have webbed feet that help them swim, and swim they will. They love water!

They have a great sense of smell, are excellent at retrieving and very patient which has made them the top dog used as guide dog for the blind and assistance for the disabled, great for search and rescue and narcotics detection in law enforcement. 

Labs have been loyal hunting companions to humans for years. 

Labradors are able to endure long hours of training but it’s not a good idea to keep them in small apartments. They have a tendency to over eat so it is important to keep them on a balanced diet and regular vigorous exercise is recommended.

Labradors are good companions to children and other dogs and they love to work and socialize.

Puppies are born with adult coloration which is usually yellow, black or chocolate brown. Their coat is thick and short with no wave which they shed seasonally. Females are usually between 55 and 70 lbs and males 60 to 75 lbs.

Go to your spot

Every dog needs his own spot – a place you can send him to rest, or when he’s begging at the table. You can have just one spot, you can have several that work with the same verbal cue, or you can have a different cue for each location. “Place” could mean the one in the kitchen, “spot” can be the one in the dinning room; “there” can be his bed in the bedroom. Your dog’s “place” mat is portable. You can take it with you to your favorite coffee shop so your pup can lie comfortably under the table. You can take it to your friend’s house for a sleep over. Your dogs ‘spot” is a little piece of home that he can take anywhere, helping him feel more comfortable in strange places.

Select a dog bed or a rug that is easily portable. Stand about 2 feet away from the mat with your dog next to you. With a treat in your hand, point to the rug, say “spot” or whatever you are going to call it, lure him onto it with the treat. Once all 4 paws are on the rug “click” and treat. You can use the verbal cue from the start in this exercise because you are almost sure that he will follow the treat onto the mat.

After several repetitions starts asking for a sit on the mat before you give the treat, then ask for a down. Ultimately you want “go to your spot” to mean “go lie down on the mat”. You can also frequently ask your pup to “wait” while lying on the mat. If you reward him occasionally just for lying on the mat he’ll learn that “on the mat” is a great place to be.

When you think your dog is starting to get the idea say “spot” and wait a few seconds to see if he moves towards the mat. If he does be sure to be right behind him to “click” and jackpot when he gets there.

Gradually start moving farther and farther from the spot, until you can send him to it from the other side of the room. If he needs a little extra encouragement, place a couple of treats on the mat so when he gets there he finds a little surprise.

Maggie and Annabel are two lovely Scottish Fold cats that came to visit for a few days. The Scottish Fold are a breed of cat with a natural dominant-gene mutation that affects cartilage. This is easily perceived in their ears, which bend forward. The original Scottish Fold was a white barn cat called Susie found in a farm in Scotland. When Susie had kittens, 2 of them had folded ears so a cat enthusiast started breeding them and registered them in Great Britain in the 60’s. Most Scottish Folds today share a common ancestry to Susie. Over the years they have been bred to minimize the difficulties associated with their genetic mutation.

Since it can affect cartilage all over the body, it is important to get them from a very reputable breeder, if not they can have very serious health issues. These cats can be either long or short haired, and they can have nearly any color or combinations of colors including white. Scottish fold are usually good-natured and placid, they can be quite playful and need companionship. They have soft voices that include all sorts of sounds not usually heard in other cats. The typical life span for them is about 15 years. They tend to adapt to life with other animals quite easily, so they do well in a multi species family.