I'm so torn! :(

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by Bonnie's Mom

I think that is a good idea. Maybe you and Angie can pick a few and invite them over a few times to see how Maddie reacts to them before you decide who to offer it to!

Hmmmm...actually I have a college student living at my house that I would gladly send to stay with them if he wasn't taking classes this summer

He could take classes at my school instead! LOL! We live about 5 minutes from campus.

[MeganS]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

Oh that's awesome! We'll talk to the professor tonight and see if we can take her. The information packet I have says we'll be staying in either dorms or apartments with double occupancy. We were already going to ask if it'd be possible for us to stay together (I don't see why it'd be a problem), so we'll just ask if pets are allowed too.

How does traveling with pets on a plane work? Would she be able to stay with us? She's not used to a crate, what if she barks and whines? Would we get in trouble? I've never done it before and know nothing about what it involves other than a health certificate.

I've never traveled with a pet on a plane either, but I've looked into it a read a bit about it. From what I gather, they can travel with you as long as they can fit comfortably (meaning being able to stand up, turn around, and lie down) in a carrier that can fit underneath your seat. I don't really know about the barking...but I believe that as long as they're not traveling in cargo, you can give them a small amount of sedatives to keep them calm.

[alaskayorkie]

Yeah, we've traveled on planes a lot. It's no big deal. And you have plenty of time between now and then to get her used to a carrier.

You can put them under the seat in front of you (and sometimes sneak them out if the flight attendant is nice). It's always cost us about $75 to $80 each direction.

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

Oh that's awesome! We'll talk to the professor tonight and see if we can take her. The information packet I have says we'll be staying in either dorms or apartments with double occupancy. We were already going to ask if it'd be possible for us to stay together (I don't see why it'd be a problem), so we'll just ask if pets are allowed too.

How does traveling with pets on a plane work? Would she be able to stay with us? She's not used to a crate, what if she barks and whines? Would we get in trouble? I've never done it before and know nothing about what it involves other than a health certificate.

The biggest issue I can think of immediately.....your fare is pre-paid. Flying pets means paying an additional fee. Anywhere from $50 to $100 one way. To fly Reese...I made his reservation at the same time I made my own, but I paid his fee when I got to the airport to take him home. So you need to inquire about that first off.

She would have to ride in a crate....no getting around that. Some people give there dogs...sedatives to calm them down. I didn't have to do that. She would fly in the cabin with you...beneath the seat. Since you are entering another country...you will have to get the health certificate...

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by MeganS

I've never traveled with a pet on a plane either, but I've looked into it a read a bit about it. From what I gather, they can travel with you as long as they can fit comfortably (meaning being able to stand up, turn around, and lie down) in a carrier that can fit underneath your seat. I don't really know about the barking...but I believe that as long as they're not traveling in cargo, you can give them a small amount of sedatives to keep them calm.

We have a carrier that I think Maddie would fit into nicely, but how do you know if the carrier will fit under the seat? Would the airline give me dimensions if I asked? I'll ask my vet about a sedative. It'd have to be a really small dose since she's so tiny. Do you think it would be a shot or a pill? If it's a shot, how would I find a vet to do it for the trip back? A pill would be a lot better I think.

I'll definitely have to talk to my vet about this before deciding. A sedative seems a bit scary to me. Does anyone have experience with this?

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Yeah, we've traveled on planes a lot. It's no big deal. And you have plenty of time between now and then to get her used to a carrier.

You can put them under the seat in front of you (and sometimes sneak them out if the flight attendant is nice). It's always cost us about $75 to $80 each direction.

$160 isn't bad for peace of mind.

Do most airlines allow pets? Our tickets are through US Airways.

[SladesMommy]

I highly doubt that you will be able to take her with you to Mexico. Based on what I know about the study abroad programs and the places you would likely stay, I just don't think it will be allowed. Then you have to consider, all the extra stuff you would have to either carry with you for her, or get when you get down there- food, water, etc. Plus, what if she got sick while you were in Mexico, would you be able to find a vet?

I'm sure she'll adjust to your mom's house and be just fine after awhile, esp. with Marty there to help her.

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

We have a carrier that I think Maddie would fit into nicely, but how do you know if the carrier will fit under the seat? Would the airline give me dimensions if I asked? I'll ask my vet about a sedative. It'd have to be a really small dose since she's so tiny. Do you think it would be a shot or a pill? If it's a shot, how would I find a vet to do it for the trip back? A pill would be a lot better I think.

I'll definitely have to talk to my vet about this before deciding. A sedative seems a bit scary to me. Does anyone have experience with this?

Find out which airline first....and hope it's not Southwest. They don't fly pets.
The sedative is a pill. The airline websites will tell you crate dimenisions. You need one that is kinda collapsible on the ends...so it'll smush down on the ends.

[AngieDoogles]

Okay, I just found the dimensions for carry on so never mind that question.

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by SladesMommy

I highly doubt that you will be able to take her with you to Mexico. Based on what I know about the study abroad programs and the places you would likely stay, I just don't think it will be allowed. Then you have to consider, all the extra stuff you would have to either carry with you for her, or get when you get down there- food, water, etc. Plus, what if she got sick while you were in Mexico, would you be able to find a vet?

I'm sure she'll adjust to your mom's house and be just fine after awhile, esp. with Marty there to help her.

I wondered about the water. I know people aren't supposed to drink it so I thought we'd just give her bottled water. I just asked Bren about food actually. LOL. We have a lot to talk about and it's a long shot that she'll be able to go, but I don't want to rule it out as a possibility just yet.

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Find out which airline first....and hope it's not Southwest. They don't fly pets.
The sedative is a pill. The airline websites will tell you crate dimenisions. You need one that is kinda collapsible on the ends...so it'll smush down on the ends.

It's US Airways.

[AngieDoogles]

Okay guys, thanks for all the help so far. I have to run to class, but I'll be home around 8:30.

[teri88]

Oh Angie, you don't want to pass up such an oportunity. My feeling is she would be better off staying in your apartment with someone she was familiar with. (and Marty) Taking her to Mexico would scare me because if she decided to run away... a foriegn country and all! Leaving her at someone else's house is also iffy. I'm afraid she'd try to run away and find you. I hope that you can find someone to stay there, she'd adjust to someone else taking care of her where she's used to being and having her own toys and stuff, I think, would be the least traumatic for her. We know she's high maintanence, lol, so she'll complain about whatever arrangements you make, but she'll adjust and be just fine!

Mike is right, you wouldn't get her back if she came back up here! (Kenny would kidnap her from you!) I wish we lived closer to help you out. Hmmmm, I'll send Megan to live in your apartment! Do you have a High School in the neighborhood?

[Tiggerwit]

I'd say leave her more often with your mom and see if that helps otherwise personally I'd opt for find someone to stay in your home if you can.

[I Love Bailey]

Personally I would go & leave the dogs at home.
This is a really great opportunity and you shouldn't pass it up.
You will regret it later!
Your dogs would be safer and well cared for at home.
Leave them with your mom or have a friend stay and house sit for you.
That is what we do when we go out of town.
Depending on where you go in Mexico, I think they would be better off at home in familiar surroundings.
My sister in law & her husband were in Mexico at Christmas and were pulled over by some renegade cops wanting money from them for being rich american tourists. They were so scared they never left the resort they stayed at for the rest of their vacation.

Good Luck to you!