Search results for 'pets'

Its Memorial Day weekend and we’ve traveled a couple of notches south to vacation near Mammoth Cave National Park in Cave City, KY. The national park offers only primitive campsites (which means no electric service) so we are staying a few miles down the road at an RV resort. In this part of the country, the term “RV Resort” is loosely applied and commonly means a giant family playground with lots of places to plug in a trailer. 

If you’re a sucker for romance, the great outdoors and a laid back atmosphere, then I have just the place for you! Head south to Adairsville, Georgia and visit the Barnsley Resort. This property begins with a love story and I have to include the Timeline of this estate so you can appreciate your visit to this magnificent area. 

With the chill hitting the air and the thoughts of last year’s cold winter, Susie is directing her thoughts to a trip to south Florida for warmth, sun and sand. One property that is in one of the lists of top pet-friendly locations is located just north of Miami in Lauderdale by the Sea and provides access to a good portion of south Florida and a stay on the Atlantic coast.

If you want to stay at a very unique property with loads of atmosphere, the Inn of the Five Graces fills the bill. The five graces refer to the five graces of Tibetan philosophy – sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. The inn was formed from a group of abandoned adobe structures to create a very unique hotel.

Susie discovers the creation of an air terminal just for animals in New York called The Ark. She just wonders if they will have to enter two by two?

The Oxford Hotel in Bend, Oregon is a boutique hotel that focuses on making your stay a memorable experience. Bend is located 128 miles east of Eugene in the central part of the state, right in the middle of Oregon mountain country and near to Mt. Bachelor. The hotel offers amenities not found in the other hotels in the area. The Oxford is located in the middle of the downtown historic district of Bend.

Susie has discovered another great product for pets. Unfortunately she is too big to use it and even Beau who is 10 pounds lighter is too big as well. The Solvit Tagalong™ Wicker Bicycle Basket is designed for small dogs up to 13 pounds. Besides major trips we also like to take our dogs with us on local excursions and this basket makes it possible to also take them with us on a bicycle. This would also work great if traveling by car or RV and also having a bicycle or bicycles along on the main trip for side excursions and exercise. 

Susie and Beau are anxious to get out and about after the rigors of winter and being restricted to indoors or their own yard.  Everyone is planning to travel, whether locally or on out of town trips, as the weather improves and spring and summer rise on the horizon. Susie once again says what – “Don’t forget to pay attention to your pet’s allergies and be prepared to treat them and deal with your pet’s discomfort.”

Susie and Beau are always glad to hear about new opportunities for pets in travel. It has come to our attention that a bill has recently passed the House of Representatives (HR 2066) that will require Amtrak to allow pets aboard trains. The billed is dubbed the Pets on Trains Act, which is part of a larger package called the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act.

Our world would be a hugely different place today but for the discovery of sailing and the subsequent role played by the development of galleons, schooners and the tall ships of the day.

Susie is always looking for new great pet products that are not only dog friendly, but also environmentally friendly and safe. One has just been brought to our attention – the Cool Pet Pad from the Green Pet Shop. This product also fits well with traveling and riding in the car.

Susie and Beau both want all of our followers to have a happy and safe Fourth of July with their pets. Many of the activities centered on the birthday of our nation are safe and enjoyable for both pets and their humans.

One of the most exciting experiences in Japan is the opportunity to witness or even be a part of a local festival. I did this two summers ago in Kyoto City, Japan. Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, and it is still known today as the cultural capital. Saved from bombings during World War II, its1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and numerous palaces, gardens, museums, and machiya(traditional merchant houses), are well preserved and continuously being renewed and restored. Kyoto is home to three of the most famous festivals in Japan. These include: the Aoi Matsuri or Hollyhock Festival, held every May 15, the Jidai Matsuri or Festival of Ages, held every October 22, and the grand Gion Matsuri, which takes its name from the city's Gion geisha district, and runs for the entire month of July.

Susie has been concerned for some time of stories she has heard about pets taken on airline flights. A recent news item has brought this concern to the front again as the DOT (Department of Transportation) has just expanded the rules requiring the reporting of incidents involving live animals during flights.  The rules only apply to dogs and cats. These new regulations will take effect on January 1, 2015.

Susie wants to let everyone know about an amazing boutique hotel in Glen Ellen, California – the Olea Hotel, which only has twelve rooms, three of which are pet friendly.

Another set of recommendations and warnings from the mistress of treats, Susie Sweetdog and her brother Beau – be sure to know what you are giving your beloved pets both in their regular diet as well as with treats. Susie says what again!

Another pet friendly property that was brought to Susie’s attention is the Five Pine Lodge & Spa in Sisters, Oregon. Five Pine is also a Conference Center with room for varying sized meetings.

Susie and Beau will let you know that this has been a tough year for them and their daddy - Nothing like a major medical issue to stir up the pot.  But we all want you to know what a great comfort it is to have a pet or pets as we grow older and begin to face a variety of medical challenges. Little did daddy know that he was training me to also be a therapy dog for him (and mamma) and Beau has learned much along the way even though he is only 9 months old.

Susie is ready to pack up and head to Scotland after being told about a fabulous property in Crail right on the Scottish coast northeast of Edinburgh. Just picture staying for a week in an immaculate fisherman’s cottage perched directly above Crail harbor.

Susie and her daddy spend lots of time finding information of how to travel with your pets, where you can go with your best friend to enjoy a comfortable stay, where you can eat and be welcome with your dog, as well as cool products to enhance your pet travel experience.

The DOT (Department of Transportation) has issued new rules that took effect on January 1, 2023 that expand and improve rules relating to pets on airline flights. Airline passengers will be able to check all airlines’ animal safety records.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness month, the start of summer travel season and a good time to share information about staying protected from ticks. There are more ticks in more places than ever before. Lyme disease has now become one of the fastest growing epidemics to date. The CDC estimates the number of cases in the US alone to be about 300,000 cases a year. Tick encounter rates are soaring and it is time to get tick savvy to avoid bites and lessen the risk of Lyme disease. 

Susie has some good news to share with pet owners who travel by rail on Amtrak. Previously a pilot program experimented with including cats and small dogs on select Amtrak routes in Illinois and on the east coast. During the trial last year 2700 pets traveled with their humans.

JFK airport is now No.1 with dogs and cats, it’s also No.2! The airport has just opened a post security potty for pets complete with fake grass and a red fire hydrant in Terminal 4.