Thomas may be flying to Florida

[Debbie and Thomas]

We have decided to rent a place in Florida in March. The drive is over 24 hrs. spread over two to three days. I love driving(we have done this at least 10 times) and enjoy watching the changes in the weather as we get further south. With our kids, it was so much fun-part of the vacation-stopping at restaurants, staying in a motel with a pool etc. However, I really think this would be hard on a dog that will be 5 months old tomorrow and there is no way we want to leave him behind. He is part of the family and we will rent a house/townhouse in the Naples area. We have decided to fly down with Thomas, the doodle bug. Has anyone tried this before? Should I get meds from the vet to keep him calm for a 3 hr. flight? Am I crazy to fly him down? Driving is still an option.

[Adina P]

I don't think you should worry about driving him down. Does he do okay with car rides? If so, he'd probably enjoy being with you more than on a plane. But it's up to you. We drove from WA state to California with all three dogs in tow. It's doable. But none were puppies.

[Cathy, Wally and Peaches]

Hi Debbie:

I live in the Naples area. Let me know if you're interested in getting your dood acquainted with another.

Cathy

ps - Good luck on what you decide - are you flying from a cold climate? If so, temperature may be an issue - also, on our end, too - check the airline and their temperature restrictions.

[Lee Seidman]

We live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We drive everywhere and boat with our Doodle Lexi all the time. She goes to dinner with us as well. She has traveled since six weeks old and seems to love it. Look for Adrianne and Samantha, they just drove down from New Jersey.

Buy a copy of " The Dog Lovers Companion to Florida" They list dog friendly hotels, motels and bed and breakfast, dog parks, restaurants that are dog friendly and vets etc. a great travel guide for Doodles and Doodle parents.It is published by Avalon Travel Guides. It lists most facilities, otherwise google "dog friendly....... in Florida". You will be amazed at the places that dogs can go. Let us know if you come to our coast.....we will be in Cape Coral with Lexi on the 29th of Feb.

[Beth and Gang]

Our dogs LOVE to ride in the car with us for ANY length of time. We have had them on rides up to 12 hrs a day (with breaks) and they enjoyed every part of the trip.
Does he like short rides around town?

[Debbie and Thomas]

At first-8 weeks old to 12 weeks old- he was horrible in the car-I took him for a drive every morning to our local "Tim Hortin's (popular coffee place in Canada) just to get him used to the car. He cried and would climb into my lap and hide his head under my free arm. Now he just goes into the back seat and sleeps! He is such a good boy-I think he would handle the drive-but it is going to take at least three days of 12 hours each. We have decided not to go now-the weather is getting better and it looks like we will have an early spring. We will try this drive next year when we can plan this better. Thanks for caring!!

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Hi Debbie,
We drove with Whopper from NJ to SC when she was only 12 weeks old. She was really great in the car and we had a lot of fun with her when we stopped. It required a little more time and coordination and we ate our meals sitting on curbs in parking lots, but it was worth it in the end. We thought she might bark in the unfamiliar hotels but we had enough of her stuff with us to make it familiar and after sniffing around, she settled right in.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

'Samantha' begged us to get out of the cold so hit the road on January 23. Drove from NJ to Miami beach. We did it in 3 days - app 8 hours on the road but only 6 hours real driving. We stopped to eat, and P&P breaks for all 3 of us. Samantha slept with whoever wasn't driving in back seat. She was an angel. She just turned 1 last Monday but is used to being in the car everyday - she goes to work with me. If I can give you any more advice, just let me know. I would drive with her again anytime!!!

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

One other recommendation if you decide to drive...we put Whopper's bed from her crate on a portion of the backseat with a couple toys and a nylabone or two. We put it behind the driver so that the front seat passenger could easily get to her if she needed anything. Her actual crate filled the back of our vehicle and so our overnight suitcase and a few odds and ends occupied the other have of her seat. This gave her just enough space to lie down on her bed but not enough room to create a lot of mischief in the car. We also stuffed our winter coats and a couple blankets on the floor on her half so that should she slide off the seat she'd have a nice cushion. We initially tried to seatbelt her in with the harness and 10 minutes later my husband turned back and saw her on the blankets on the floor. It obviously didn't take long to wiggle out of that!

[Debbie and Thomas]

Hi and thanks to everyone for responding!! Your support is awesome. I would be travelling from Toronto and the drive would be gruelling. Probably 21/2 days of 12 hrs solid driving each day plus the stops times for a pee break and eating etc. Then the night breaks at a motel. Our little/huge puppy I know would handle it OK, but wouldn't it be easier on him to be there in three hours as long as he was well taken care of by the airline. We would of course get a direct flight and I hav'nt even booked this yet. My sister took her lab on a flight and she said they are NOT put into the same area as the baggage(I HOPE) and that would not happen. I am a nervous wreck now, thinking about how the airlines lose luggage, and could maybe misplace our dog or worse. So I have decided to rethink this whole thing. There is NO Way I would put this dog in any danger and you are all correct in saying that he would probably be happier with us. He is our youngest child as far as I am concerned. It's just that the drive is Sooo long, but I've decided now flying him down is not happening.
I thought flying animals was done all the time-and perhaps it is, but I really don't think Thomas would like it and neither would I. I am afraid to fly anyway, so I can just imagine my state of mind, wondering if our baby was on board, where did they put him and how he was handling this experience. To all of you in the USA, thankyou!! and this dog is staying with us no matter what.
Regard, Deb and Thomas from Canada

[Adrianne Matzkin]

If you want to stop in NJ (and we are back from Florida by then) please let me know. You always have a P&P stop with us. We even serve puppy cookies and coffee for the DP. We live off 95 by Newark Airport, just outside Manhattan.

[Debbie and Thomas]

You are very sweet and I would love this visit. We are not going now, depressing as it seems to me. I just love driving to Florida! We had such a cold winter, so I put the "addition" on a house I was working on off until late March or April, but the excavator has a opening, and given the balmy temps we are having, he wants to dig the foundation now -then framing etc etc. We'll try this next year. Thanks for the offer!!! I just love your area. We had a chance to visit;my son went to a fine university in Hartford, CT on an athletic scholarship. While we visited him, we travelled to Manhattan and parts of NJ. My husband also used to work for a company with their Head Office near you. If you ever get to Toronto-let me know too! We would also welcome you.
Thanks, Debbie

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We travel all of the time with our 3 dogs. Ned, as well as our other 2 have been in our RV since they were tiny. Of the four dogs we have traveled with, one got carsick at first and outgrew it. The others are great from that first ride. I realize that an RV is roomier than most cars but traveling is the same - drive, drive, rest stop, drive drive. There are lots of hotels that are dog friendly too. I just think it takes a bit more planning and a few more stretch your paws stops. Good luck.