Traveling with Your Pet During the Holidays It is hard to believe that it is already the holiday season.   Many of us with pets wouldn't think of spending the holidays without them. If your Furry Traveler is like mine, you are probably planning a road trip. The following tips and information will help your trip be a successful one. Careful planning can make your trip go more smoothly, whatever your mode of transportation.   If you are not staying with family or friends, more and more hotels now allow pets. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance as they can fill up quickly. HOTELS: 5-Star hotels such as Trump Hotels, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton often include extra luxuries for your dog, including special bedding and spa treatments.   If 5-Stars don't fit in your budget, you will still want a nice, clean room. There are many hotel chains to choose from, most offer Rewards Memberships so you can accumulate points and get a free night once in a while. My personal favorite is LaQuinta, www.LQ.com. Many are brand new hotels or newly remodeled with large rooms and all have free internet and even breakfast! There are no extra pet fees (unless there are damages, of course). Their website allows you to check for hotels along your driving route, which helps you decide what city to stop in if your trip takes you longer than one day to reach your final destination. Many of the Intercontinental Hotels (www.ihg.com) also allow pets but you may have to pay a pet fee.  WEATHER: Here is something to think about if you are changing climates. On a recent trip up north, we found it pretty chilly and my Florida dog ended up needing to wear a coat – good thing I was there selling dog products! If your dog has sensitive paws and is not used to the cold, boots might be appreciated. Just because they have fur coats, doesn't mean they will always be warm enough. TRAVELING BY CAR:   Buckling up is an important safety precaution for pets. Many states and provinces now require that pets be restrained while in a moving vehicle and restraints have several advantages. They help protect pets in case of a collision and they keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver. They also keep pets from escaping the car through an open window or door.   Cats and smaller dogs are often most comfortable in pet carriers and crates. Carriers give many animals a sense of security and familiar surroundings and can be secured to the car seat with a seat belt or a specially designed carrier restraint (like a child's seat).   There are also pet restraints available that can be used without carriers, including harnesses, seat belt attachments, specially designed pet car seats, as well as vehicle barriers, and restraint systems.   Absolutely do not leave your pet in the car unattended. Even with windows cracked, and even on a seemingly nice day, temperatures in a car can quickly escalate and kill your pet. If you will have to leave the pet, the pet shouldn't have come along for that trip.   Keep your pet hydrated. On a trip, it's tempting to skimp on the food and water to avoid pit stops. While you do want to cut back a little, just for your pet's comfort while on the go, be sure your pet gets enough to drink and eat. The To Go Bowl allows your pet to drink while traveling and the removable cup can store dog treats for your rest breaks. If you are driving with a pet, plan for plenty of stops to walk you pet, and give the pet food and water.   Your dog should always wear a collar with an ID tag that includes your cell phone number so you can easily be contacted if needed.  Allowing your pet to have his own travel bag will help you keep things organized. Some things to remember in the bag are an extra leash, medications, Hairbrush, food, bowls.   There are so many other great travel products available now than there were just a few years ago. You will be amazed how much easier traveling is when you use some of them. Websites such as www.FurryTravelers.com specialize in pet travel products and are a great one-stop shopping place for your pet travel supplies.   Pet Travel Statistics from Bark Buckle UP:   In an accident, an unrestrained animal is dangerous to the human passengers as well. Even in an accident of only 30 mph, a 15-pound child can cause an impact of more than 675 pounds. A 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, a windshield, or another passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers for whom every moment is precious.   Unrestrained pets can also distract the driver, and cause an accident. Even pets that are normally well behaved could be frightened by something unusual and dive for the driver's feet or lap. Following a car accident, an unrestrained pet could escape and be hit by another vehicle or cause another collision. A frightened dog may attack strangers who are trying to help.   Bark Buckle UP utilized the Travel Safety Evaluation Booklet used by police agencies nationwide and concluded that 98% of pets do not travel properly restrained, which means that only 2% of pets travel safe in vehicles. Bark Buckle UP, the pet safety national awareness program, works with Police and Fire Chiefs nationwide to communicate to the public the necessities of, "Why Buckle" for your pets safety, passengers, driver and our first responders.   Be one of the 2% that buckles up your pet!  

Taking our dogs on a walk is a necessity, and so is cleaning up after them! If you don't have a waste bag carrier, then maybe it's time you got one. Leash Luggage makes it easy to dispense and use waste bags during your daily walk. Leash Luggage attaches to any leash with Velcro loops for easy clean up. Conveniently holds roll of waste bag or individual bags, plus your own items (keys, money, I.D., dog treats, etc.) Now your doggie cleanup will be much quicker! With a convenient belt loop clip, for hands-free transport, Leash Luggage is the perfect accessory!     http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/3114--leash-luggage.html  

I visited New York City for the first time last week.  It was a business trip - a media event showing the latest unique pet products.  (I will post pictures when they become available).    While it is quite a distance from SE Florida, I decided to drive so I could bring a variety of products to show at the event.  Cookie came along for the ride and also to be our model.   The event was held at the New York Barclay Hotel in midtown Manhattan.  They recently became pet friendly, and I must say, Cookie felt very welcome by everyone that worked there as well as other guests.    What we didn't realize, unfortunately, is that while New Yorkers love their dogs, unless your dog is a "city dog", you might have problems.  Being a professional "Furry Traveler", I thought I was prepared for everything.  There were a few items I had wished I brought, however.   Of course we took our To Go Bowl on the trip so Cookie could drink whenever she wanted while in the car.  This bowl was then brought into the hotel and used on the floor for her water bowl.  I had brought a folding travel bowl for her food, but this didn't work well for us.  Since she is a small dog and I didn't need to put a lot of food in the bowl, it would start to fold down when she put her face into it.  She didn't like that and I ended up hand feeding her.  The Kurgo Collaps-a-bowl would have been better.  It stays rigid until you manually collapse it.  The Little Buddy Lunchbox would have been convenient, too.  I could have stored her dog food in it, as well.   Then there was the "potty" issue.  I knew NYC was not known for its lush landscaping, but I thought there would be grass somewhere.  There was - Central Park - about a 20 minute walk from the hotel.  Of course I have seen it on television, but it truly is a beautiful, gigantic park, with street vendors and performers, ball parks, outdoor (pet friendly) restaurants... We had a great time exploring the park and Cookie had blocks and blocks and blocks to find the perfect spot to go.   The next morning we tried a closer dog park, just a couple blocks away.  While it didn't have a lot of grass, it was fenced and right on the Hudson River.  A great place for dogs to run and have fun.  We walked back on a different block that did have some grassy patches.  I guess a city dog doesn't need grass and I'm sure Cookie would eventually adjust if necessary.  Next time I will bring our Pup Head, though.  This would have made things so much easier!   I took many of the products we sell to make the trip safer and more convenient.  One necessity is the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness.  It kept Cookie safe while driving and then when we stopped, I clipped her leash to it for a quick walk.  It is padded, so nice and comfortable for Cookie, and easy for me, as it simply slips over her head and clips around her chest.  Of course Leash Luggage, the Bow Wow Bag, waste bags, reflective collar are other items that made traveling more convenient.   We also took Cookie's stroller.  This made it easy to maneuver in the crowds, get on the hotel elevator, eat at the cafe.  It was hot in NYC last week so I think all the walking in the hot weather would have been too much for the little one.   And no trip is ever made without her EBD Carry-All bag.  I love this bag!  It has a pocket for everything so it is easy to stay organized.  Cookie is our Furry Travelers model, so she her share of supplies we bring on each trip and needs her own bag in which to carry them.   I wish we had been able to stay in New York City longer and look forward to going back in the future!   For see all Furry Travelers products, visit www.FurryTravelers.com.       

Cookie and I just got back from the AKC Dog Show in Atlanta.  It has been a few months since we traveled together and it reminded me how important it is to have proper pet travel accessories.  These are some of our favorites:   Safety First!   The Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat keeps smaller dogs safely buckled, while allowing them to see out the window - something a simple safety harness can make difficult.   The Skybox adjusts to any height and holds up to 30 pounds.  I often put both of our dogs in it!  You simply strap them to their own harness, or a safety harness.  When it is not in use, just unclasp the seat strap and flip it over the head rest.  It is lightweight and collapses to just a few inches when not in use.   Note: All dogs should be safely buckled up, just like you and the rest of your family.  There are many styles of safety harnesses to choose from at many price ranges.  You might be surprised to find how quickly your dog adjusts to a safety harness.  Even the most active dogs can feel more secure when they are restrained in the car.   And everyone will be safer in case of a sudden stop or accident.         The To Go Bowl by Furry Travelers is a must have travel accessory for all road trips.  Cookie was able to drink whenever she wanted without having to stop the car or worry about splashing.  We also used the bowl in our hotel and at the dog show by removing the cup portion (which of course carried her treats).   The patented, award winning To Go Bowl fits cup holders between 3 - 4 inches and can be used for dogs of all sizes.         We never take a trip without Cookie's own bag, the EBD Carry All Travel Bag.  This bag is the greatest!  It has so many interior pockets that staying organized is a piece of cake.  Cookie had to look her best while working at the dog show, so we had pockets for her hair brush, dental spray, tear wipes, extra harness and leash, a coat (it was cold there!) and still had room for some of my own things.  The EBD Carry All Bag even comes with its own fleece blanket.         NEW FAVORITE:  I picked up the Kurgo Quantum Leash at the trade show this month.  It is a leash that can be used 6 different ways (see details)!  I didn't really see a benefit to using this type of leash, especially for a small dog like Cookie.  While setting up our booth at the show, I thought I would give it a try.  Cookie likes to be with me all the time, especially when in a new environment.  I often keep her in her Susan Lanci Travel Sling, but she can still be in the way and gets kind of heavy after a while.  Anyway, I hooked the Quantum Leash to her harness and hooked it across my shoulder.  What a problem solver!  She was with me everywhere I went, without me having to carry her.       Finally, the big seller of the show and perhaps my all time favorite product (next to the To Go Bowl, of course), is the Susan Lanci Travel Sling.  Cookie "hung around" all day, every day at the show and really started a trend with the other small dog owners in Atlanta.  The sling is ideal for smaller dogs (under 10 pounds) and comfortable for both you and your pup.  It is lightweight, breathable, and folds up so small you can keep it in your pocket or purse!    Traveling with your dog can be fun and easy!  There are many, many great travel accessories for pets.  Furry Travelers goal is to carry the newest and most unique pet travel products on the market.  We are constantly adding great new items, so check our website often!    To see all our pet travel accessories, click here.  

We are all in the habit of using our seatbelt whenever we drive.  Most pet owners, however, do not think about using a safety harness for their pet.  It is time we do! According to the American Automobile Association, unrestrained pets cause more than 30,000 accidents annually.  That's thousands of fatalities and injuries that could have been avoided with the use of a simple pet restraint, harness or crate.   Bark Buckle-UP founder, Christina Selter, warns that an unrestrained dog can be dangerous to everyone in the vehicle.  "In a 30 MPH accident, a 60-pound dog can cause an impact of more than 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield or other passenger."   And let's face it, any one of us would be heart-broken if our dog was injured, or worse, killed in an accident because we were too rushed or lazy to buckle them into a safety harness.  (Hint - leave the seat belt attachment in the car at all times so it is easy to snap onto your dog's harness.  It will be one less thing to remember as you leave home, too!)   So...let's make a New Year's Resolution to buckle up our pet every time we go for a drive - no matter how short the distance.  To make things easy, I am going to review a few of the travel harnesses we carry on our website:      1) Kurgo Tru-Fit Safety Harness:  This is probably the easiest harness to put on your dog that I am aware of.  Once adjusted for size, you simply slip it over your dog's head and then buckle the strap around its chest.  That's it!  It comes with a loop that you put your seat belt through and attach to the harness to keep your Furry Traveler in place while you drive.  It is made of high-quality automotive seat belt materials and has a broad padded chest plate for extra protection and comfort.  Good for dogs over 10 pounds.  Price:  $22.99 - $28.99.   2)  The PetBuckle Seat Belt Harness provides protection in a standard vehicle by using the vehicle's seat belt, LATCH bar system or cargo area to securely restrain a harnessed dog. Just slip the seat belt through the web loop on the harness and buckle up. For dogs over 15 pounds.  Crash tested for safety.  Price:  $49.99.     3)  For the more fashion conscious, we offer a variety of comfortably padded safety harnesses in a variety of colors and patterns.  Many of these styles snap right into your own car's seat belt buckle - very easy to use.    Whatever your choice may be, just remember that having your dog restrained is one less distraction for you and so much safer for your Furry Traveler!    To view all our safety harnesses, visit www.FurryTravelers.com.   Happy New Year from your friends at Furry Travelers!

We recently found a company in California that bakes all natural dog treats in some very unique ways with healthy ingredients.    Here is the scoop:   Sweetie Pies are a healthy dog treat made of free range chicken and sweet potatoes.  Research has shown that sweet potatoes are one of the top 10 healthiest foods you can eat!  They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.  Even better, dogs love them! The chickens and sweet potatoes are both from small local farmers.  They are slow baked to preserve their goodness.  Dogs can't say no to these treats!  Break pieces off to use as training treats or as a nutritious low calorie snack. I had always heard of dogs that had a "tooting" problem, but this has become a recent issue with Cookie and I can't wait to try these!  We sold out of them too soon for me to try with our first order, but now that we have more, we won't waste any time getting her started on them!   Enzymes are the catalysts for every metabolic process in the body and the foundation for good digestion and overall health.  Better digestion means less gas.  Digestive enzymes are added to these treats so they are easily absorbed.  Fart Busters are made from pure whole free range chicken with a proprietary blend (human grade) of digestive enzymes that can aid digestion and help with those "aromatic" moments.  These are all meat treats, manufactured in California.  Chickens are from local farmers and are raised without the use of antibiotics or animal by-products and are fed a vegetarian diet.   Cookie and Katie both have tried - and go crazy over - Bark Stix.  What a great idea - dog treats that look like bread sticks!  They are made with organic whole wheat flour, beef liver, water, rolled oats, carrots, bacon, parsley and baking powder.    I am very happy to be able to offer healthy treat options for your Furry Traveler.  Give one or all of them a try while they last!  

Last week Furry Travelers exhibited at the largest pet trade show in the US - Global Pet Expo.  We decided we would take Cookie and Katie with us.  This would be Katie's first event and we were a little concerned how she would do.  She's a bit more timid than our other dogs have been.  Cookie was there though, the professional Furry Traveler and we hoped she would be a good influence on the younger pup.   Travel sickness:  For years I have heard from customers with dogs that have motion sickness and as a result get sick when they travel.  I have done my best to direct them to a solution, but until I experienced it first hand, didn't know how difficult that could be.     Our newest dog, Katie, has terrible motion sickness.  It is so bad that she will vomit just going a few blocks!  And when we do find a way to settle her stomach so she doesn't get sick, she drools so excessively from anxiety that we fear she will get dehydrated on a long trip.  We were traveling about 3 hours so we figured this would be a good test.  We finally found the right combination for her:  Dramamine the night before and first thing in the morning, combined with Rescue Remedy to calm her anxiety.    Our Pet Zip Dog Stroller was another needed product for the trip.  While we were setting up our booth, this kept them out of harms way and during the show, they spent most of their time in it, enjoying watching all the activity around them.  During slower times, we took them out to stretch, get tummy rubs from our booth neighbors and treats from some of the other exhibitors.  They even helped us get more traffic into the booth.  Who can resist these cute faces?     On this trip I also tested a new product that we have carried for a few months now - Doggy Baggage.  What a great bag!  I was able to keep all the girls stuff in one convenient place and stay organized, too.  6 outside pockets to keep important items handy (medication, brushes, water bottle, leash) and the bag itself is large enough to hold food, dishes, To Go Bowl, toys - everything else you need for a great trip.   And of course we had our To Go Bowl!  This allowed the dogs to drink whenever they wanted while in the car and we just put it in our Doggy Baggage when we went into the hotel or trade show to then be used on the floor.  Of course we stored the girls favorite treats in the removable cup, too!   The trip was a great success!

Leash Luggage is a convenient way to take the important stuff with you on walks with your furry friend.     Designed to fit onto any type of lease with Velcro straps, Leash Luggage has a compartment for bags (you can use rolled bags or recycle your plastic grocery bags) and a separate compartment for your own things (driver's license, hotel card, money, etc.).  It also comes with a special key holder.     I use Leash Luggage all the time.  I especially like it when I travel because I can put my car keys and room card in the second compartment for easy access.  It is lightweight, easy to add bags to, and keeps me organized without lugging around my purse.   For more information, see www.FurryTravelers.com/m7_view_item.html?m7:item=3114  

Dog potty solutions From poop bags to indoor pup-grass, Furry Travelers carries the potty basics as well as the latest products on the market to make living and traveling with your pup clean and easy.  Poop bags, Pup-Head, Susan Lanci Wizzer Belly Band and more!

  The holiday's are almost here! And for a lot of people that means traveling. If you plan on flying with your pet this year, here's a list of 5 most pet-friendly airlines of 2009. You're pet will thank you!   Continental The airline's PetSafe program has a 24-hour Live Animal Help Desk that tracks your pet from origin to destination. It's more expensive than other airlines, but your pet will travel in climate-controlled vehicles for connections and you'll earn extra miles. The airline also allows small pets to be carried in the cabin on most domestic flights for $125 each way.   JetBlue Airways JetBlue launched JetPaws last summer, providing passengerspet carrier bag tag, two TrueBlue points each way, a welcome e-mail and pet-travel guide, all for no additional cost. But like almost every other airline, they have raised their in-cabin pet charge. One-way fees range from $75-$100.   Airtran Airtran is currently the least expensive airline to fly with your small pet: just $69 each way. They only allow small pets that can travel the cabin, so if you have a larger breed that needs to be checked-in, this airline isn't for you.   American Airlines The airline has assisted transporting animals from popular zoos in cargo. Although they allow a limited number of pets in the cabin, they ask passengers traveling with pets to make special notes for their animals flying in cargo and promise to abide by all requests.     United Airlines They accept small cats, dogs and birds in the cabin; rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs as checked baggage and other animals including parrots, cockatiels and ferrets in United Cargo. Shipping by cargo is for items, like some pets, that you can't check as baggage.   For more information about these airlines and their pet policies, click on the airline name above.