Pets On Board

Yogi is almost ready to fly to Holland to live aboard a boat for a few months.   He just doesn't know it.  Six months ago we started our Yogi-dog on the path to international dogdom by having him microchipped and having blood drawn so a rabies titer test could be done by Kansas State University.  Now  an international health certificate is all he needs to enter the Netherlands but if we take him to England he will have to be treated against ticks and tapeworm--even though he doesn't have either one.

During the long, boring hours of an international flight Yogi might regret coming to our house to be our dog.  We will make him as comfortable as possible.  His kennel is big enough for him stand up and turn around, we will line it with adult-sized diapers for absorbency in case of accidents, he will have a wet washcloth to lick when he gets thirsty and he will have one of his favorite toys to keep him company.  Other than making darn sure we are all on the same plane, that is about the best we can do for him....well, a little worrying never hurt.

Two years ago, we adopted a 6 month old Affenpinscher mix pup from our local no-kill shelter, The Animal League of Green Valley.   He was--and is--adorable in a funny looking way.  We can say funny, everyone else must say adorable. 

In spite of the fact that he isn't a water dog and he doesn't swim well, he will be a boat dog.  Be ready to adapt, Yogi.

The last animal we dragged all over the world was our sweet Capt'n Kitty.  He left us on December 6, 2006.  Poor boy, his kidneys failed, he was dying by inches, so I held him in my lap while the vet gave him his last injections.   We still miss him

Capt'n visited 11 countries during his 11 years.  He did not like the process of traveling but loved the results.  If actions speak louder than words, we know that Capt'n loved the canals of France best.  And it's a mystery to us what Friskies does differently in France because that cat nearly swooned with delight when you showed him a can of cat food with a French label.  We didn't know he could read.     

Yes, you can travel with your animal, it's no more difficult than traveling with children.  Having an animal with you leads to pleasant conversations with locals who really want to meet your companion. 


Pets are welcome more places in Europe than they are in America.  You can even take an animal on a train.....try that with Amtrak.   The smaller, local stores still welcome dogs but the bigger, more modern mega-stores only allow service animals, just like here.

Each airline has specific information about their regulations for your pets. We suggest checking  your airlines web site for their rules about traveling with animals.   For more general hints on making your pet comfortable and keeping it safe, we recommend Pets Welcome or Pet Travel, the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA.