by Cindi Clarke

Created on: October 22, 2008   Last Updated: December 10, 2008

When my human said she was thinking about writing an article about "essential dog travel supplies" I knew I was going to have to write it myself. Yeah, she's got a really great pet travel bag set up for me, but I knew that it would be better if you heard it from the "dog's" mouth about how great her dog travel supplies are. I mean, she's really got my comfort and safety in mind when we hit the road. Who would've thought that dog travel would be so important. My great-gramps would just jump in the back of the truck and off they'd go. Me, I ride in style!

First let me tell you about this great pet travel bag she's got - it carries everything! She's got copies of my latest shot records, and pictures of me as well as my microchip number in case I get lost while we're checking out new sights and smells. Not that she lets me off the leash much when we are in crowds or unfamiliar places, but you never know when someone might accidently open a door or I get distracted trying to find out about that lovely French poodle lady who was there before me. Oh la la!

She always carries a new squeaky toy for me - that keeps me busy when I get bored, but the squeaker also grabs my attention if I wander off and then I'm right back to her feet. She has some of my favorite treats to reward me when I come to her when she calls, and just because she loves me! She brings enough of my regular food to get me through the whole trip so that my stomach doesn't have to deal with something unfamiliar. If we start running low on food because we've just been having so much fun and stay longer, it gives her time to find some of my regular stuff at a store.

I've also got this great pop-up pet travel kennel. It's just like having my own tent! Me, I'm kinda a big guy, ya know? So while those hard sided pet travel kennels might be good for some smaller dogs, a real manly man dog like me just won't fit in one of those. The pop-up one that she got me fits perfect in the back of her SUV, or slides into an outside pocket of her suitcase so it can go anywhere we go. Throw my favorite blanket in it, maybe steal one of the extra pillows off the hotel bed, and I'm sleepin' like a baby!

Even when we're riding in the car she has my comfort and safety in mind. Normally I love calling shotgun when we hit the road for some short trips to the park or vet. But for serious dog travel, she sets me up in the back seat with my own harness that buckles into the seat belt. I've still got room to move around and lay down to nap, but I'm safely secured so I won't go flying if we get in an accident. I've got my car blanket, my favorite old toy, and a no-spill water dish with a few ice cubes in it that I can lick when I get thirsty. I just love to sing along with the radio ... "Who let the dogs out? Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Yeah, those cats just don't know what they're missing when they turn down a chance to travel, but hey, I'm not going to tell them. I just let them think that travelin' is for the dogs!

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