If you're planning on making a trip to the water this summer, keep in mind NOT ALL DOGS SWIM! Yes, contrary to what you might think, it's common that many dogs don't naturally know how to swim. If your pooch falls in this category of “canine non-swimmers” then you might want to consider making sure he's appropriately prepared with The Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket! The Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jackets provide ultimate buoyancy and high visibility to keep pets safe on the water. Constructed to provide buoyancy, along with a cozy secure fit, the Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jackets features an advanced breathable mesh underbelly for proper draining and drying, which provides your dog more comfort and healthier conditions than traditional pet life jackets! So make sure that you grab a Paws Aboard Life Jacket and keep your pooch safe from the water! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/4103--paws-aboard-doggie-life-jacket.html          

As the end of the summer nears and early fall approaches, regulation of pets on the beach are eased and beautiful early fall weather beseech you to take your furry friend outdoors to the nearest body of water to play. Here are a few tips for keeping your dog safe around water. 1)      While some dogs live to swim, others may be unable to or simply hate being in the water. Be conscious and considerate of your dog's preferences and skills. Don't try to force him or her to swim if your dog seems afraid or averse; many dogs will never feel comfortable in the water.   2)      If you're taking your dog swimming for the first time, help coax him into the water by starting off in a shallow area. Try calling his name and creating a fun environment by using dog toys and/or treats to play with.     3)      Swimming is very hard work, making it easy for your dog to overexert himself- especially dogs that are drawn to the water. Keep track of the time and evaluate your dog's level of effort to keep your dog from overdoing it.   4)      Never throw your dog into the water. Doing so may cause your dog to feel anxious or fearful of going into the water in the future. Also, since some dogs have large bodies and short legs, they are not built to swim for enjoyment and therefore may be traumatized by the act.   5)      If taking your dog swimming at the ocean, be careful of strong tides. Never let your dog swim far enough out to be swept away by the current. Use a doggy life jacket as a safety precaution.   6)      Moisture in a dog's ear can cause nasty infections if not cleaned properly after swimming. Ask your vet or local pet store for the proper supplies and a demonstration to make sure you are thoroughly ridding his or her ears of the nasty bacteria found in ocean and lake water.   7)      Never leave your dog unattended in water. If you have a pool, make sure to invest in adequate safety products, such as a baby fence or pool alarm to alert you if your dog falls in. Train your dog to know how to exit the pool by teaching him/her to locate the steps or ramp, and providing a refresher course on exiting at the beginning of each swimming session.   8)      Be careful of taking your dog swimming at night. Dogs' vision dramatically decreases after nightfall as well as with age, so swimming in the dark may be extremely scary for dogs, even those who normally love to be in the water.   9)      Just like humans, dogs are equally susceptible to getting hypothermia in cold water. Unfortunately, they may not understand that the water is what's causing them to feel cold, making it easier for an accident to occur. If the water is cold enough to prompt you to get out, it is safe to say your dog is at risk to getting cold as well and should be brought out of the water to regain warmth.   1    Never let your dog drink the pool water, which is filled with chlorine and chemicals that can make your dog sick. Salt water from the ocean and bacteria found in lakes can also be harmful. To prevent ingestion of contaminated water, keep a clean water bowl nearby for your dog to drink from. Se    

  Did you know that dogs don't have sweat glands like people have (except for a couple of glands on their feet)? This is the reason why dogs pant- it allows them to rid their body of heat. Unfortunately, when the temperatures spike during hot summer days, panting alone is not enough to keep their bodies cool.   Here are a few tips for keeping your dog safe, happy, and comfortable in the summer heat:   ·         Lots of Water- The most important thing you can do for your pet is make there is plenty of fresh, cool water available to drink at all times.  Keep the dog bowl in a shady location and change the water frequently to keep it cool. Bring a portable dog water bottle with you when you're on-the-go.   ·         Find Shade- It's not uncommon for dogs to enjoy a little sunbathing, but it's important that you provide him or her with a shady place to cool down in-between prolonged exposure to the sun and heat.  A solar canopy can provide shade for your dog to prevent the harmful effects caused by excessive heat.   ·         Protect the Paws- While doggy paw pads may seem tough, they're also very sensitive to heat and burn while walking on hot surfaces such as pavement on a scorching summer day. Try to keep your pet on grass or dirt if possible and check their pads for redness. You can protect your dog's paws from hot surfaces using breathable dog boots, particularly useful for city goers who don't have the option of avoiding hot roads and sidewalks.   ·         Pool Time- Taking your dog swimming at a pool or lake is a great way that your dog can cool off. Another great option if you don't have a normal-sized pool available is to purchase a kiddy pool and keep it filled with water for your dog to soak in when he/she is feeling overheated.   ·         Car Safety- Never leave your dog in the car on hot days, even for a short period of time. Doing so can lead to heat stroke and irreversible organ damage. Keep a portable dog bowl filled with water to ensure your dog stays hydrated on road trips and utilize a pet carrier so that you can bring your dog with you wherever you go.    ·         Hot Weather Apparel- There is plenty of doggy gear to prevent and relieve your pet from overheating. Items to buy if your pet is spending a lot of time in the heat include dog cooling jackets, harnesses, and cooling collars. This amazing lightweight pet apparel can reduce a dog's temperature by up to 30%. You can also find doggy eyewear for protecting your pup's eyes from damaging sun rays.   ·         Cooling Bed- Dog beds are oftentimes too warm in the summer for your pet to enjoy, which is why you may frequently find them sprawled out on the tile floor instead on hot days. A cooling dog bed with gel-like material offers the comfort and softness of a traditional doggy bed but will keep your pooch cool and comfortable.     We know that you want your pet to enjoy the warm sunny weather just as much as you do. Taking certain precautions and preparing for the heat with the right gear and pet accessories will ensure that your furry friend is healthy and happy all summer long!    

Fall is here, and winter's right around the corner! If you have a pooch that commonly gets cold during this time of year, then you should really consider our Zack and Zoey Fleece Jacket! Casual, comfortable and versatile- Zack & Zoey Fleece dog jackets are a must-have! Each jacket is soft, warm and reversible to provide two colorful options! Help your pup stay warm this season! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/31992--zack-zoey-fleece-jacket.html

Pet Safety Accessories Pet safety products to aid in keeping your pet safe while on the go.  Pet accessories include first aid kits, safety harnesses, booster seats, lighted collars, collar blinker lights, dog life jackets and more.

    Those in search of canine companionship without the commitment of fulltime ownership can reach a happy medium at the Aspen Boarding Kennel and Shelter's program Aspen, Colorado. The program offers travelers and citizens of Aspen the opportunity walk dogs and even take them on overnight trips. The program is the No-kill shelter's attempt to provide better quality of life and ultimately increase adoptions but can also serve as a fun activity for tourists.   Labeled a “dog paradise,” The community of Aspen is a prime location for the program. Whether its water bowls outside many retailers or a mailman equipped with dog treats for neighboring dogs, the program thrives in the dog-friendly atmosphere.   While walkers and caretakers get in their fix of canine companionship, the dogs become more socially acclimated and have a better chance at being adopted. Some walkers use the program to ease themselves into pet ownership and others use it as a way to meet the dogs prior to adoption. The flexible policy requires the dogs to be leashed for liability reasons. Temporary owners are able to take them on daily errands, home to their yards and even weekend hikes! If you are in the Aspen area and miss your dog or want to hang out with one when you finished with a day at the slopes, consider the Aspen Boarding Kennel and Shelter's Program. Visit www.dogsaspen.com for more information.  

  We absolutely LOVE our Pinterest! We've been pinning for a while now and we would love it if you checked us out! We have tons of fun dog themes boards! One of our favorite boards is our “Paw PRINTS we love..” board! Here's just one of the many prints that we adore!   http://pinterest.com/furrytravelers/  

Great for travel and for every day storage of all your pet's belongings.  Multiple outside pockets to easily find your important necessities (water bottle, leash, treats, etc.).  Roomy interior for everything else!  Available in two sizes.     Large Doggy Baggage: Black with white paw prints and red lining.  Measures 18”Wx12”Hx6”D with 1 signature pleated pocket with 2 flat pockets on front, 3 signature pleated pockets on back.   Small Doggy Baggage:  14”Wx9”Hx4”D  Available in Black with White Paws, Pink/Purple “bones and paws” pattern or Natural/Brown “Paws” pattern.  1 signature pleated pocket on each side and 2 flat pockets on each side.  The perfect day bag for short trips or a day at the beach. Pouch retail price is $19.99, on sale for $14.99!

We lost our dog Sammy earlier this year.  We had to make the difficult decision to put her to sleep.  She had been suffering for years from serious back problems related to major surgery she had 10 years earlier.  She also had recurring eye problems caused by a paralyzed facial nerve.     We did all we could to make her life happy over the years.  This included building homemade ramps for 4 rooms of the house so she could sit and sleep with us, taking her for walks in a stroller so she could get fresh air, putting carpet runners throughout our tiled house so her little paws wouldn't slip out from under her while she walked.  We gave her supplements, a radiant heat lamp, acupuncture treatments.  She was truly a loved member of our family and we spared no expense or effort to make her happy and comfortable.     At 15 years of age, she was no longer our happy-go-lucky Sammy.  She seemed uncomfortable and the only excitement she showed was at mealtime.  Other than that, she didn't wag her tail or even want to be in the same room with us.  Given her health history, we discussed that we would not put her through another surgery, should that need arise.   When she developed another serious eye problem requiring surgery, we discussed the situation with her doctor.  Our wonderful vet assured us that these were all signs she was ready to move on.  She was no longer enjoying her life.  I heard another vet once say that it is better to end a dogs life too soon than to risk ending it an hour too late.     While this made our decision easier, it did not make the loss easier.  For all but the last few months of her life, she was the happiest, friendliest dog we had ever known.   (This blog entry started out to be about a pet product and I'm not sure what got me on the subject of Sammy, but I am going to leave it in case someone out there is needing to make a similar decision about their beloved dog.  Talk to your vet.  They can help you decide what is best.)   The loss of a pet is tremendous and the sadness sometimes overwhelming, but it does get easier with time.  Let yourself be sad, cry, go through the grieving process.  They are members of your family and most likely loved as much as your two legged family members.     Finally, don't be afraid to eventually get another pet!  I have spoken to so many people whose dog passed away years earlier.  When I ask why they haven't gotten a new one, they say because they don't want to ever go through that type of loss again.      I can't imagine being a dog lover and choosing to be alone rather than have a dog bring you love, companionship and joy for so many years.  Don't be afraid!  It can help you overcome the grief and bring you years of happiness.     Just be careful not to expect your new pet to "replace" the old.  Dogs, as people, are all different.  One thing that stays the same, is the unconditional love and wet kisses you only get from a dog.   Our little Sammy  

Furry Travelers is based in South Florida and it is easy for us to forget that most of the country is experiencing extremely cold temperatures this winter.  I found some tips and reminders online about keeping your pet warm in the winter months I thought I would share.   There are some breeds that are more prone to the cold than others.  Dogs that are great in the cold include Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Chow Chows and similar dogs.  Dogs that have more difficulty staying warm include Dobermans, Greyhounds, toy dogs, short hair or hairless dogs.  Any shaven or excessively clipped dog are in this category as well.   Avoid trimming, shaving or cutting your dog's hair excessively in the cold months, as a dog's full coat is what keeps him warm.  Maintaining a good grooming regime will reduce matted hair, which is less efficient at keeping out the snow and cold rain, and does not insulate as well.  Bathe your dog less often in the cold months and dry them quickly.   Taking shorter walks give enough exercise and relief breaks without causing your dog to become too cold.  If your dog shivers when outside, consider a sweater, dog jacket and/or boots.   To guard your dog against winter illnesses, keep him warm and dry to prevent respiratory infections.  Frostbite can affect ear and tail tips.  Frostbite appears white, red or gray and/or are dry and hard.  If you suspect frostbite, wrap your dog's extremities in blankets or towels to warm gradually and visit your vet immediately.   Your dog's arthritis can worsen with cold weather.  Talk to your vet about medication, treatment options and ways to keep your dog fit and warm through winter.   Keep toxic items away from dogs.  Anti-freeze tastes sweet to dogs and they may lick it.  It only takes a few teasopoons to kill a dog under 10 pounds.  If your dog (or cat) does get into antifreeze, see your vet immediately as treatment is needed within hours to save your dog's life.  The number for Poison Control help is (888) 426-4435.   Quick Tips: If you feel cold, chances are your dog does, too! Keep outside visits short during very cold temperatures. Keep your dog away from snow clearing machinery so they do not get injured. Put your dog's sweater in the dryer for a few minutes to warm it up before putting it on. A hot water bottle can be tucked under a dog's bed to warm it up quickly. Never keep an indoor dog outdoors suddenly during winter. Never leave your dog outside for a long time in freezing temperatures. Never leave your dog inside a cold car. We hope some of these tips and reminders help you and your pet stay warm and healthy in the remaining cold months.