by Melanie Monteiro, author of The Safe Dog Handbook
Most pet parents agree the mere thought of flying their beloved companions “below cabin” is daunting. And in some cases it should be avoided altogether.
But should a time come when you must consider the prospect, knowing what the experience is like from Fido’s point of view can help you determine whether he (and you) are up for the adventure.
For the inside scoop, I asked pilots, baggage handlers, flight attendants, and customer service representatives from United, American, and Alaska Airlines, as well as British Airways, to weigh in on the subject.
Drop-off and Loading
Assuming you’ve met all the airline’s pet travel guidelines including your vet’s approval, once you drop your kenneled pet off he’ll be taken to a designated holding area until its time to load. His kennel will then be placed by hand onto the loading ramp for the short ride up to the plane’s cargo hold. One pilot I spoke with mentioned witnessing baggage handlers riding alongside kennels on the loading ramp for added safety, although this is certainly not the norm.
Once inside the hold, the kennels are secured in an area designated for live animals, away from the other baggage and cargo. While one airline employee claimed there are only runners to keep the kennels in place, everyone else said the kennels are either strapped down individually or otherwise secured with tarp or netting. This would be an important detail to clarify with your airline.
The Air Down There
The air in the cargo hold is the exact same pressurized, temperature-controlled air that circulates throughout the main cabin. But because the multitude of human bodies sitting together generates added warmth in the more insulated main cabin, the air is always cooler in cargo. To remedy this, most aircrafts have a “high/low” switch in the cockpit that sends additional warm air to cargo, which the pilot sets to “high” whenever there are live animals below. One pilot states that on a Boeing 777, the cargo air averages about 18°C (64.4° F) with the switch set to high, but can drop to below 10 °C (50°F) if mistakenly left on the low setting.
To help prevent such an accident, all pilots are informed on their load manifest when there are live animals “in the pit.” For caution’s sake, it would be wise to ask your flight attendant to confirm the pilot has “flipped the switch” and is aware of your precious cargo below!
Noise and Light
The cargo area is not lit in flight, so the area will be dark. It will also be noisier than in the main cabin.
Delays and Layovers
I received varying answers as to how cargo temperature is controlled when a plane is waiting on the tarmac. Find out in advance what the airline’s procedure is should there be a delay, and speak up to remind crew your pet is below should a delay occur—especially in hot or cold weather.
Plan Ahead for a Better Journey
To help ready your companion for flying, make him comfortable in his kennel as soon as possible, starting at home. Put blankets and/or an old shirt of yours inside, leave the doors open, and feed him meals and treat-stuffed toys inside. Encourage him to sleep inside and experiment with short periods of leaving him alone with the door closed. Get him used to the jostling he’ll experience by lifting his kennel in and out of your car and driving around. Ask friends to help you, to get him used to being handled by others. Do whatever you can to simulate his day as “checked baggage.” And of course, be sure he’s had a nice long walk and potty break before the flight.
________________________________________________________________________________
Melanie Monteiro is a dog safety expert, pet first aid instructor, and author of The Safe Dog Handbook. You may also find her at The Safe Dog on You Tube.
It’s not an uncommon occurrence. Your pet is in its carrier and you think it is clear sailing until you get to your destination. Suddenly, your pet has an “OOPS!” moment and the interior of the carrier is a wet mess.
According to DryFur, “Contrary to what many pet owners believe, it is never a pet’s fault when he/she has an accident while in a pet carrier, crate or cage. Many pet owners further believe that this is a way for the pet to show signs of anger, revenge or resentment. This is never the case. It is completely against the pet’s nature to soil an area that he/she then must sit, lay or sleep in. Since this is not a ‘behavior problem’ that can simply be addressed by discipline or training, you as the pet owner must be understanding and know why it happens.”
DryFur lists three main reasons that pets have accidents in carrier kennels, crates, and cages:
1) Excessive periods of time in the carrier
- auto trips (vets, moving, kennel, groomers, dog or cat shows, vacations)
- airplane trips (vacations, breeders shipping (vacations, breeders shipping pets to new owners, dog or cat shows)
- on exhibit (dog and cat shows)
- times when crating is necessary (hotels, motels, house breaking, introducing new pet to household)
2) Fear
- being forced into unfamiliar environments (loud noises, unfamiliar sounds, vehicle motion, strange smells, temperature changes)
- associates carrier to bad experience (visit to vet, surgery-spay or neuter, moving, being caged long periods)
3) Age and/or illness
- medications (can cause excessive thirst & urination)
- kidney disease (common in elderly pets, causes excessive thirst & urination)
- diabetes (causes excessive thirst & urination)
- muscle control (senior & very young pets may not have same control as adult pets)
You could line your carrier with newspaper in anticipation of wetness from an accident, but newspaper remains damp, leaving your pet uncomfortable. Plus, when moistened, newspaper tears apart ultimately making cleanup a less than pleasant endeavor. Another alternative would be to use an old cloth, but it too remains damp when moistened and less than comfortable for a pet.
DruFur pet carrier inserts, however, have super absorbent polymers that trap wetness and keep it away from a pet in a gel-like state deep below the surface of the pad. The pads are soft, cushioned and cloth-like to help keep pets comfortable. Also, an insulated rigid core provides stability to the carrier and helps to hold the insert in place (no bunching up) providing a stable surface for the pet to sit, stand, and turn around. Dry Fur pet carrier inserts are disposable, so no washing or laundering is ever required.
There are four available DryFur sizes: Pink-Petite, Blue-Small, Yellow-Medium, and Green-Large. Flexible wings pads in each size category adapt to the size of your carrier, crate or kennel.
DryFur Pads are sold two to a package and are available at Sleepypod’s on-line store and at Dry Fur’s on-line store.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Rawl Rawl remains dry and comfortable on long trips thanks to DryFur pet carrier inserts.
by Dr. Shelby Neely of Ask the Cat Doctor
When your cat is exposed to other cats in any way, vaccine status is very important. Boarding at a veterinary hospital or boarding facility is no exception. In fact, most boarding facilities will require that your cat be up-to-date on vaccines in order to stay there. This is for your cat’s protection.
Vaccine requirements vary from facility to facility. However, it is in your own best interest to ensure that your kitty is up-to-date, in particular, with the vaccine generally referred to as the FVRCP vaccine.
FVRCP stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia, three viruses that can make unvaccinated cats very ill. Infection with the Rhinotracheitis virus and Calicivirus cause feline upper respiratory diseases. Panleukopenia, caused by a parvo virus, affects the GI tract. Vaccinated cats will either not develop these diseases or will get a very mild form of them while unvaccinated cats can become seriously ill and even die. Direct contact is not required for transmission—some of these viruses can travel through the air via sneezing or can even be transmitted by bowls, bedding, or human hands and live in the environment for very long periods of time.
It is also important that your cat be up-to-date with the Rabies vaccine. Rabies is a deadly disease and, while a boarding facility may not be a terribly likely location where your cat could contract the virus, the fatal nature of the disease makes it not worth taking any chance. In addition, the rabies vaccination is almost always required by state, county, or township laws.
There are additional vaccines that may be appropriate for your cats if they go outdoors, but most boarding facilities will not require them. These include FeLV, FIV, and FIP vaccines (feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline infectious peritonitis). Your cat should not be at risk for contracting these viruses while boarding if you confirm that any boarding facility where your kitty will stay does not allow cats from different households to be in contact with each other. If they do, that is dangerous and not a place where you should be boarding your cat.
If your cat has never been vaccinated before, the vaccines should be given at least two weeks in advance of boarding in order for them to be protective. An unvaccinated cat must have two FVRCP vaccines 21-28 days apart to be protected. The second of these two vaccines must be given at least two weeks prior to boarding.
If your cats have been kept up-to-date on their vaccines for years, current thinking is that vaccines may not be needed as often as we used to believe or perhaps not at all after a certain age and/or a certain number of vaccines. However, the boarding facility will probably still require a certificate from your veterinarian proving that your cat was vaccinated within the last year or other required period of time.
Always discuss vaccination requirements and risks with your veterinarian. There are some special circumstances, such as your cat’s age and health status, that may need to be addressed with the boarding facility prior to arranging for your cat to board. While protecting your cat against diseases such as rabies and upper respiratory viruses is important, elderly and physically compromised cats can possibly be harmed more than helped by vaccinations. Only you and your veterinarian can determine the best plan for your cat.
For more information on cat vaccines, the illnesses they protect against, vaccine schedules, and the risks and benefits of vaccines, please visit
- http://www.askthecatdoctor.com/catvaccines.html
- http://www.askthecatdoctor.com/feline-sneezing.html
- http://www.askthecatdoctor.com/rabies-virus.html
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Shelby Neely has been a feline veterinarian for over 20 years and is the cat doctor/writer behind the highly successful Ask the Cat Doctor blog.
Indulge your pooch and simultaneously improve the lives of less fortunate pups. It’s a win-win deal.
Nestled in an exclusive enclave on Beaver Creek Mountain, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch embodies Rocky Mountain luxury and the adventurous, pioneering spirit of the American West.
Ski from village to village, enjoy a hike in the refreshing mountain air, or sit by the ever-popular fire pit at the Beaver Creek lodging and absorb the breathtaking landscape this luxurious surrounding this pet-friendly Colorado resort.
When you pamper your pooch at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, the resort will donate $25 to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for every pet stay. In 2011, the total donation was more than $11,000.
Every four-legged visitor to The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is welcome to “Bachelor’s Pack”–led by the resort’s resident Saint Bernard “Bachelor” and resident English Cream Golden Retriever “Miner”–with a host of enhanced canine-friendly services and amenities.
“Bachelor’s Pack” amenities for your pet:
- Premium amenities for guest use during stay, including premium dog bowls and overstuffed beds
- Bachelor’s V.I.P. Pack, containing treats, toys, and a dog-friendly area handbook and guide
- “Fido Fridays” and “Bachelor Brunch,” seasonal canine fun in the sun
- “Doggie Daybreak & Twilight” hikes, departing daily from the Mountainside Terrace
- “Pampered Pup” in-room doggie massage, presented by The Bachelor Gulch Spa
- All-natural pet food and treats available for in-room orders
- A variety of premium pet retail in the lobby-level Signature Shop
The resort assesses a pet cleaning fee of $125 for the first three nights, and a fee of $25 per night, thereafter. Via its “Pampered Paws for a Cause” initiative, the resort donates $25 of this fee, per stay, to the ASPCA.
Property features and amenities include:
- Spago by Wolfgang Puck, seasonal American cuisine with global accents
- The Bachelor Gulch Spa, Forbes Four-Star 21,000-sq.-ft. spa and fitness center
- The Bachelor Gulch Express high-speed quad chairlift, steps from the resort’s backdoors
- Beaver Creek Sports premium in-house ski and snowboard outfitter
- Year-round outdoor, heated pool
- Tennis courts
- Signature Shop
- Ritz Kids
- Bachelor Gulch Youth Spa Program
- Ski concierge
- Ski nanny
- Executive business center
- Computers, printers, fax machines and copiers available for guest use
- More than 26,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space
Guest room features and amenities:
- 40 Club Level Rooms and Suites, including The Ritz-Carlton Suite
- 95% of rooms offer mountain or valley views
- 69 rooms offer a fireplace
- 78 rooms offer a walk-out balcony
- 33 rooms offer a fire place and walk-out balcony
- Custom-designed wood doors and millwork
- 400-thread count Frette linens
- Separate shower and marble bathtub
- High-speed wireless internet and fax connections
Resort fee:
The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch assesses a $25 resort fee per room, per night. Amenities and services encompassed in the resort fee include:
- Wired and wireless high-speed Internet access in guest rooms and public areas
- Local and toll-free phone calls
- Use of the state-of-the-art fitness center, group fitness classes, swimming pool and whirlpools
- Complimentary access to The Bachelor Gulch Spa sauna, steam rooms and wet therapies
- Game Room featuring air hockey, pool table, Wii® and more
- Ski-in/ski-out valet services and overnight equipment storage
- Complimentary transportation to/from Beaver Creek Village, with transfer service available to Arrowhead Village
- Point-to-point transportation to and from Avon (subject to driver availability)
- Snow shoe equipment
- Preferred tee times at Red Sky Ranch Golf Club
- 18-hole Bachelor Gulch Disc Golf Course
- On-site recreation, including bocce ball, badminton, horseshoes and more
- Receive a one-time $25 spa credit with a purchase of $100 or more at Spa or Spa Boutique
- The Ritz-Carlton eco-friendly bottled water in-room, refreshed daily
- Evening marshmallows at the Fire Pit year-round
What pet owners should know about keeping a scared dog safe from well-meaning strangers.
We were on a trip to visit our daughter in California and were really looking forward to the vacation. We had stopped at a rest stop along the way and were walking our 5 year old Labrador Thor, who is a little nervous in new situations. Suddenly someone ran up to hug him because he looks so friendly. It startled him so he bit the guy and then let go and backed away. Needless to say that incident ruined the vacation for us as well as for the person who was bitten.
Have you ever had a similar incident or a near miss while traveling or even in your neighborhood? That is, you have a dog who is very fearful or at least slightly scared when meeting unfamiliar people in your house or neighborhood, but in unfamiliar situations when he’s already uneasy he’s actually scared enough to snap and even bite strangers who approach in an intimidating way?
One problem in this scenario is that, in general, most people don’t know how to politely greet a dog. Instead of asking for your permission and then letting the dog meet them at his own pace, well-wishers approach too quickly, crowd too closely or loom over like a thunderstorm ready to dump its load. Under this pressure some dogs will freeze or shrink, pretending it’s all a bad dream. Others take action—usually a reflex bark or low-level growl. A few successes here and the message is loud and clear: when strangers approach, growl and bark and even bite to keep them away. Pretty soon, your sweet, slightly insecure dog has turned into a mass of defensive rumbling. (To download the How to Greet a Dog poster, go to http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/preventing-dog-bites-by-learning-to-greet-dogs-properly)
Many dog-lovers can’t understand why Fido would be afraid of them when they’re obviously making friendly human gestures. Turn the tables around and the picture becomes clear. Say you’re afraid of spiders and your friend shoves her pet tarantula in your face. If she simultaneously reassures you, “She’s a friendly tarantula. See her amicable expression?” or “She can’t cause harm, she’s just an innocent baby,” would you suddenly feel safe?
No, in fact the only way you could get used to the spider is if you greeted it at your own pace. That means it would have to be on a table or in some locations where you could control your distance from it. Then when you were ready you could gradually approach for a closer look and to even touch it.
The same goes for dogs. All dogs are not outgoing or used to meeting many types of strangers, especially if they were already shy when you adopted them or have not received enough positive experiences with many types of humans. If you walk into a dog’s personal space or even stand and reach out to touch him he may feel threatened or be unsure of your intentions. If however, you stand straight up or crouch down on one knee while looking slightly away, then he can approach and sniff you at his own rate. Once he’s relaxed then you can calmly pet him on the side of the head while watching his body language to see whether he’s still comfortable and enjoying the interaction. If he leans into your petting hand that’s a good sign. If he’s leans away or get’s tense, even worse if his mouth was open and now he holds it closed while he tenses up, then you’re in trouble, he’s very close to biting out of fear. (To learn more about the body language of fear in dogs, download the poster at http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/dog-bite-prevention-week-poster-on-the-body-language-of-fear-and-aggression
Offering treats that the shy Fido can choose to take out of your hand while you’re looking away from him will speed the friendship process and will teach Fido to associate unfamiliar people with good things.
In general I actually recommend that people with these fearful dogs not let strangers approach and pet them. But rather the owners get one-on-one coaching on how to handle their dog and provide their dog with a positive experience.
When owners rely on untrained greeters, these people may manage to get through the initial greeting with Fido okay but then they make a quick or inappropriate move that scares him into snapping, biting or running away. Like the human who’s fearful of spiders, even when you’re finally comfortable enough to examine and touch the tarantula, if it suddenly moves its mouthparts or waves one of its legs in the air you might jump away out of fright. You have to have positive experiences with the spider in many position and contexts before you feel completely safe around it.
People who are afraid of spiders don’t want one running up to them. The same is true for dogs who are afraid of new people.
So what should you do when you’re traveling with your potentially fearful dog and someone wants to pet him? First, always keep a lookout for potential dog well-wishers. If you see one suddenly head your way, quickly back up away from him in order to get your dog to head towards and focus on you rather than the scary person heading for him. Your movement will also be a cue to the person that they you don’t want them to pet your dog but as an added cue, put your hand out in the universal “halt” sign and simultaneously tell them, “Wait! My dog’s afraid of unfamiliar people especially when they rush or crowd him.” Then, while you are rewarding your dog with treats for sitting and focus on you such that he is learning good things about being around these people, you can ask that they just admire your dog from afar.”
This may sound conservative but it’s the safest way. Many dogs with a history of being fearful and even snapping may be comfortable or at least freeze instead of showing aggression with 9 out of 10 doggie well-wishers, but it’s the 10th that gets the bite. To actually help your dog through his fear around unfamiliar people to the point where people can come up to greet him safely you may need to be coached through the process by an educated behavior professional (www.AVSABonline.org and www.animalbehavior.org).
For more information on dog body language, fear, and how to greet correctly while making the pet more comfortable:
- Read and see the photos and video clips in chapter 2,3,4,5 of the Free Low Stress Handling and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats Online Abridged Version. (www.lowstresshandling.com/online/abridged).
- Read the article Seven Tips for Preventing Dog Bites in Animal Care Professionals and Dog Lovers
- Or, watch the video Why Dogs Bite
________________________________________________________________________________________
This is a revised excerpt from How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Sophia Yin.
Dr. Sophia Yin is a veterinarian and applied animal behaviorist voted The Bark Magazine’s 100 Best and Brightest. She has an animal behavior web site at www.drsophiayin.com.
11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair
Where: Washington, DC Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Benefitting: Washington Humane Society Hosts: Chef Todd and Ellen Gray (Equinox & Watershed Restaurants and Muse at the Corcoran Gallery of Art) Information: Sugar and Champagne for more information and to buy tickets Note: Leashed dogs are welcome and encouraged to attend. NO retractable leashes.
The Washington Humane Society’s 11th annual dessert and champagne reception honors local crusaders against animal cruelty: Washington Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement Officers, Animal Control Officers, and Humane Educators. This celebration of all things sugary and sweet, showcases the DC area’s most talented pastry chefs. Enjoy delectable confections complemented by some of the world’s finest sparkling wines. The VIP reception presents an exclusive savory gathering prepared by the finest chefs of the national capital region.
A VIP reception presents an exclusive savory gathering by top chefs of the national capital region to include Equinox, Watershed, Think Food Group, Restaurant Eve, The Source, Brasserie Beck, and Kushi. the VIP event will also offer an exclusive, ultra-premium Scotch Whiskey tasting by Diageo, one of the world’s leading premium drinks businesses with an outstanding collection of alcoholic beverage brands across spirits, beer and wine.
Additional event highlights:
- Sample sweets and meet contestants from TLC’s hit show Next Great Baker.
- Watch four-legged guests enjoy fresh fare at the ‘Doggie Bar’ by canine cuisine enthusiasts including The Dog Chef, Kevyn Matthews. Check out his PSA here!
- Watch demonstrations by the Federal Protective Service K9s.
If you cannot attend the 11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair but would like to make a donation only, please click here.
Seven Year Itch
Where: Detroit, MI Date: Friday, February 3, 2012 Benefitting: Michigan Humane Society Host: Motorcity Blog and Most People are DJS Information: Michigan Humane Society for more informationLive performances by FUR, Phantom Cats, Satori Circus and His Cigarettes, I Love Lightening Bugs, and Legendary Creatures. DJs of the evening will be Mikel O.D. and Cash4Gold.
Haute Hounds and Couture Cats
Where: Atlanta, GA Date: Monday, February 13, 2012 Benefitting: Atlanta Humane Society Host: Saks Fifth Avenue Information: Atlanta Humane Society for more information and to buy ticketsLocal fashionistas will showcase the latest styles for this Best of Spring 2012 Fashion Show. Accompanying the models will be adorable, cuddly members of the Atlanta Humane Society.
In addition to lunch prepared by A Legendary Event, there will have several fabulous raffle items. Saks will be donating a spectacular new designer handbag. After lunch, everyone is invited to shop the afternoon away as 5% of sales will be donated to the Atlanta Humane Society for their spay/neuter initiatives.
From Paris, in Love
Where: Lynchburg, VA Date: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 Benefitting: Lynchburg Humane Society Information: Lynchburg Humane Society for more information and where to buy ticketsDo something different this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy a fancy shmancy, five course dinner catered by Shoemakers American Grill, dancing to the music of the Mark Miller Band, prizes and gift bags with proceeds benefitting the Lynchburg Humane Society.
Red Lion Hotels, the pet-friendly western United States and Canada hotel chain, offers members of their Red Lions R &R Club rewards program an extra 500 bonus points per stay when bringing a pet. Points may be used toward hotel stays, air miles, or even shopping. Achieve Gold or Platinum-level member status and the $15 per stay pet fees are waived, leaving a little extra for some creature comforts. A fuzzy new toy to cuddle with, perhaps?
Red Lion Hotels
800-Red-Lion
Locations: http://redlion.rdln.com/HotelLocator/HotelDirectory.aspx
Reservations: https://redlion.rdln.com/Reservations/MakeReservation.aspx?ssl=true
by Dr. Sasha Gibbons of Just Cats Veterinary Hospital in Stamford, Conn.
With the vast variety of options out there, selecting a carrier can be a daunting task. Here are a few tips to make the process easier.
Start by focusing on the purpose of the carrier: Is it going to be used for an annual veterinary visit? Will you be traveling regularly with your pet? Are you going to be flying with your pet? Answering these questions will help determine the need for a basic carrier, or if you need a carrier with additional features.
Most carriers are composed of one of three materials: cardboard, plastic, or fabric. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages:
- Cardboard carriers are the least expensive, but are usually only intended for a brief trip and short-term use, as they do not offer good ventilation and are not very sturdy. If your pet has an accident in the carrier, or the carrier gets damp in storage, it needs to be replaced.
- Plastic carriers are the most durable, and have unsurpassed longevity. Ventilation is variable depending on the design of the carrier. They are easily cleanable, but they are not very forgiving if your pet gains weight and most are not suitable for airline travel in the cabin.
- Fabric carriers are usually the most comfortable for the pet, as the majority are plushly-cushioned and well-ventilated. They are flexible for travel and storage, but some are not easy to clean, and they are usually the most costly option.
Now that you have decided the type of carrier that best suits you and your pet’s needs, it is time to determine the size of the carrier you will need. As a general rule of thumb, your pet should have enough room to turn around, and ideally be able to stand (if they are not flying in the plane cabin). Therefore, unless you plan to bring your pet with you to the store, you should have an idea of your pet’s size. The measurements you will need are the length, height, and width of your pet.
Measurements should be taken from the tip of pet’s nose to the base of their tail, from the bottom of their foot resting on the floor to the top of their head while they are standing, and across the widest point of their body (usually the ribs or hips depending on your pet). If you do not have measuring tape handy, you can always cut a piece of string to the exact length and take that with you to the store when you go to look at carriers. This task is usually easier to accomplish on a dog than a cat, since dogs respond to the commands, “Sit” and “Stay.” Cats or uncooperative dogs should be measured when they are either sleeping (and naturally staying still), or when they are eating (and distracted).
Once the basic type and size of carrier is determined, then you can select the color and begin to accessorize.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Sasha Gibbons is an associate veterinarian at Just Cats Veterinary Hospital and veterinary advisor for Community Cats in Stamford, Conn. You can also find her here:
- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sasha-gibbons/28/b10/87a
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002011046217&ref=ts
Our Five Favorite Pet-friendly Destinations in Louisville
by Melissa and Sean Little, owners of Louisville-based Little Eatz: Pet and People Treats (with help from Winston)
Coming to Louisville, Kentucky soon? Bringing your fur-baby along? There’s no need for him or her to stay cooped up in the hotel room all day. Bring your pet along to visit these local pet-friendly destinations.
Cherokee Park 745 Cochran Hill Road, Louisville, KY 40206 http://www.louisvilleky.gov/metroparks/parks/cherokee/Cherokee Park is a Louisville landmark. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the father of landscape architecture, it is one of the most beautiful places in Louisville. If you are looking to expend some energy after traveling, this is it! Cherokee Park is an urban oasis.
Bring your dog for a walk through the hiking and trails make it appoint to enjoy some of the park landmarks. As you enter the park you’ll be greeted by Christensen Fountain, move on to other sites like Big Rock, situated in the Beargrass Creek that winds through much of the park, Hogan’s Fountain, and the picturesque Lover’s Lane.
But by all means, make it a point to take a break at Baringer Hill, or “Dog Hill,” and your pooch will enjoy running into a crowd of four-legged pals.
Photos of Cherokee Park courtesy of Louisville Metro Parks.
The Paw Zone 1501 Mellwood Ave., Louisville, KY 40206 (502) 690-WOOF http://thepawzone.net/The Paw Zone is the perfect place for your dog to play! Housed in a huge warehouse-like building, The Paw Zone provides socialization and exercise for your pup. They offer all-day passes or you can drop your pup off for just a few hours. On Saturdays, there is a Yappy Hour when you can drop in and play at anytime!
Les Filles Boutique Westport Village Shopping Center, 1301 Herr Lane Suite 160, Louisville, KY 40222 (502) 618-4888 http://www.lesfillesboutique.com/
Hershey (right) poses with a friend inside Les Filles Boutiques.
Les Filles Boutique is an accessories boutique that specializes in jewelry and handbags. However, the resident pup Hershey has inspired her owners to create “Hershey’s Corner.” Hershey has chosen some of her favorite things—toys, treats, and clothes—to sell. Now, you can bring a pet to Les Filles and shop for yourself and you four-legged friend.
Feeders Supply 14 locations all around Louisville and Southern Indiana http://www.feederssupply.com/index.htm
Exterior image of Feeders Supply at 4600 Shelbyville Road in Louisville.
Feeders Supply is Louisville’s local pet store. Your pet(s) are always welcome to join you in-store, and you may even go home with a new friend since most stores have adoption centers right there! Feeders is unique because they include numerous local products, many of which you cannot find at mass market retailers. A trip to Louisville must include a stop at Feeders!
Bluegrass Brewing Company 3929 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 899-7070 http://www.bbcbrew.com/After all that shopping around Louisville, you must be hungry! Bluegrass Brewing Company (better known around town as BBC) is the perfect place for you and your dog to eat. BBC recently opened their patio to the pups! You can even order a meal and dessert for your dog from their “Pound Puppy” menu.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Melissa and Sean Little are the owners of Little Eatz: Pet and People Treats. We make all natural cookies that are meant to be shared with your pup. Check out our treats at: www.littleeatz.com and on Facebook and Twitter.
61 days until the first day of spring. No, it’s a leap year so make that 62 days until spring.
When lazy, sun-dappled vacation days seem far, far away and travel is not an option until … there’s always Dewey, Lewie & Clark, Buster, Pa & Pea, and the rest of the Loose Leashes gang to evoke the feeling of grass between your toes and a slobbery tennis ball in hand.
Feel better now? We do.
Find Ron Schmidt’s photos at LooseLeashes.com. Prints are available for purchase in four options ranging from $39 for an unframed print to $165 for a matted, framed, and signed by the photographer print .
There’s also a picture book available of select Ron Schmidt images that are accompanied by his wife Amy ’s witty rhymes. Loose Leashes, the book, is available on Amazon.com. Another book is in the works and is scheduled to be released in summer 2013.
________________________________________________________________________________________
We saw these prints on Dog Milk shortly after our winter vacation ended. The images brought smiles to our faces and made us reach for a tennis ball awaiting slobbery affection.
