Dog Jaunt

This post was prompted by a reader’s comment, asking if I’d seen the “Pets” feature on SeatGuru. I had, and you can too if you go to SeatGuru’s site, click in the left column on a part of the alphabet (I chose Frontier, at random, so I clicked on the F-K range and then on “Frontier Airlines”). Once the airline of your choice is featured, look at the tabs at the top of the page — on the far right is one called “Pets,” and if you click on it, you get that airline’s pet policy.

Only, unfortunately, the feature doesn’t seem to be well-maintained by SeatGuru. A quick look at their Frontier page, for example, reveals that the fee ($100) is wrong (for Frontier, the fee is currently $75 each way for an in-cabin pet, and $150 each way for a pet in cargo), and they provide only limited information about the kind of carrier you use for a pet in cargo, and no information about an in-cabin carrier. I believe, in fact, that the page has not been updated since Frontier began carrying pets in-cabin, which was in May 2010.

So let’s try another airline. The wheel turns, and lands on Delta Airlines, and…the SeatGuru fee information is wrong. According to SeatGuru, the fees are $150 each way for in-cabin pets, $275 for a checked pet within the U.S. and associated islands, and $550 for a checked pet outside the U.S. The current Delta fees are instead, for in-cabin pets, $125 each way within the U.S. and $200 outside the U.S. (except for travel to Brazil, a steal at $75). For checked pets, the current fee is $200 each way, except, again, for Brazil ($150).

Believe me, I love SeatGuru for its primary purpose, choosing the best seat for your flight. I like it so much I’ve bookmarked it. I wouldn’t rely on it, however, for current information about traveling with your pet. Instead, feel free to check Dog Jaunt’s guides for U.S. airline pet policies and international airline pet policies — although I work hard to keep my guides current, I’ve provided you with links to each airline’s published policy (which SeatGuru doesn’t, alas), and I urge you to double-check at the source before finalizing your plans.

And if SeatGuru is listening, please consider adding to your list of features information about each seat’s workability for an in-cabin pet. I’ve started doing that myself — measuring the under-seat spaces I encounter and publishing the results on Dog Jaunt — but with SeatGuru’s fan base, the job would be done in no time.

Photo by the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance

I thought I’d get this post in before the end (sob!) of the farmers market season. Seattle has farmers markets in various neighborhoods every day of the week. Seven of the most popular markets are organized into the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance: Capitol Hill (Broadway), Columbia City, University District, West Seattle, Magnolia, Phinney Ridge and Lake City. Some markets allow dogs to join their owners, and some don’t. The Alliance not only has a written dog policy, but also publishes it in a place where you can find it. Take a look at the whole policy for an explanation of why some markets welcome dogs and other don’t, but the short answer is that dogs are allowed at the Columbia City, Magnolia and Capitol Hill markets.

You’ll want to keep your dog on a short leash, since these markets are all crowded. Since Chloe’s small and easy to trample (or trip over), and since I need both hands to choose, bag, and pay for my purchases, I typically put her in a backpack while I’m in the market.

There are other farmers markets in town that operate independently of the Alliance umbrella — for example, I visited the South Lake Union (Cascade) farmers market last week while I was hunting down the Sweet Treats dessert truck — but their dog policies are unpublished. If you are associated with a Seattle neighborhood farmers market I haven’t mentioned, please leave a comment letting me know whether dogs are allowed to shop with their owners.

I’m indebted to @Andrea_Arden, the source of the first two links in this week’s collection. She found an NY1 article about a new pet resort near Porland, Maine called The Inn by the Sea. It sounds enchanting — take note: “The best time for a dog lover to take a vacation at the resort is in October when the beach is no longer off limits. And get this, before they drain it, the pool literally goes to the dogs for both sunning and swimming.”

Andrea’s other link? A really interesting article from NewsyStocks.com about the difference between European and American attitudes towards pet ownership. Here’s a quick quote: “Pet ownership involves more responsibility in Europe than it does anywhere else in the world.”

This week’s links about places to visit with your dog include clipcleany.com‘s rave review of a visit to Michigan’s Mackinac Island (be warned, though — the famous Grand Hotel is not dog-friendly); Dog’s 2 Cents‘ argument that the city of Napa, CA is much more dog-friendly than Sonoma; and — in time to get ready for Halloween — Haunt Jaunt‘s list of sixteen pet-friendly haunted places to visit.

I’ll leave you with a funny link from Trevor’s Tracks about sneaking a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel into restaurants — Chloe’s relaxed in her stealth carrier, but we’ve never had to deal with this issue!

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, slated to open this December, will be located next to the Bellagio and across from the Paris. It’s part of the Marriott Group’s Autograph Collection, and promises to be a glamorous addition to the Strip. I confirmed this morning, however, that it only allows service dogs through its doors.

I know, there’s supposed to be only one winner this week, but the prize was a (heavy) locking leash, and two pups posted travel pictures: Eva, a Papillon, and Sandy, a Golden Retriever. What on earth would Eva do with the leash, if she won? So here’s my solution: Sandy wins the locking leash, and I’ll send Eva a PurrfectPlay.com felted ball (I had two that were new in their packaging, and gave one away a week ago). Congratulations all ’round! Genny, please send me your mailing address, and I’ll send you and Eva your ball (I have your address already, Lanae).

And that brings us to this week’s picture, taken almost exactly a year ago, of a Barcelona dachshund cooling his belly on the sidewalk. I know exactly how he feels.

Photo by pixonomy

Although it’s possible to find several attractive dog-friendly Las Vegas hotels close to The Strip, until now the only dog-friendly hotel on The Strip was the Four Seasons. Mandalay Bay’s THEhotel has changed that, however, with an announcement that it too will accept dogs as guests (when I called, the customer service rep told me that the designated rooms are in the “800 wing of the 22nd floor”).

The new THEhotel pet policy allows up to two pets (with a combined weight of less than 30 lbs.) to stay with you, for a fee of $50 per day, per dog. That’s a pretty stern policy — the Four Seasons, by contrast, has no pet fee — but I thought you should know about the option.

I just love Dog Jaunt’s readers. In the past week alone, you’ve told me about an outstanding dog-friendly beach near Rome, crawled around an Alaska plane measuring its under-seat spaces, and prompted me to check out a new in-cabin dog carrier. The latest wonderfulness? Jessica, an expat living in Paris with Birkin, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, has sent me several helpful tips, and here they are.

Another English-speaking veterinarian

I’ve told you in the past about an English-speaking vet that I found through an on-line contact, located in the Hoche-Friedland neighborhood (8ème). Jessica’s vet is also located in the 8th arrondissement, and she recommends them highly. They have someone in the office 24/7. Two of the vets speak English, as do most of the assistants. Their English may not be perfectly fluent, but Jessica says she’s never had a problem communicating with them.

La Boetie Clinique Veterinaire
15, rue la Boetie
75008 Paris
T: (33) 08.11.09.65.65

A fun neighborhood, and a great café

“A great area for people-watching and lots of dog patrons is Rue Cler in the 7th near metro École Militaire. There are dozens of cafes with terraces and lots of pooches strolling along. My favorite cafe in all of Paris is here; it’s called Tribeca. Great food (good-sized portions and great prices). We’ve taken Birkin there and had no problems. Except I think our waiter was afraid of dogs. But he never gave us a hard time and most of the patrons were reaching their hands under our table to pet Birkin and tell us how ‘gentille’ she is. So I’m sure Chloe will be equally admired. ”

Tribeca
36, rue Cler
75007 Paris
T: 01 45 55 12 01

Jessica confirmed that eating in the outdoor portion of a restaurant with a dog is usually no problem, “and it’s always good to ask if it’s ok to take her inside, but usually it’s no problem.” The falafel restaurants in the Marais might well decline to let your dog inside, given their concerns with keeping kosher, but — as Jessica points out — you can easily order your falafel at the take-out windows and park yourself and your pup elsewhere.

Grocery store etiquette

I asked Jessica if I could get away with bringing Chloe into grocery stores with me if she were in her carrier, over my shoulder. Nope, said Jessica, probably not — grocery stores are, apparently, quite strict about the no-dogs rule.

Places to walk your dog

“We’re lucky that we live next to the huge park the Bois de Bologne, and it is very dog friendly. Usually the dogs run around off-leash and are pretty well behaved. I will let Birkin off her leash, but usually take her away from the main path and stay close to her so she doesn’t try to make friends with people in the park (who are usually pretty grumpy about a dog being in their way, though some are very eager to meet her too).

As far as places I’ve taken her in the city, she’s been to the Tuileries (in the part reserved for dogs) and in the park between Place de la Concorde and the Champs Elysees. At the time, I didn’t realize that dogs weren’t allowed there, but no one said anything to me and I go by there often and have seen dogs playing fetch off the leash and no one saying anything. Playing the lost American tourist can certainly work to your advantage if you’re ever approached by someone, but for the most part it’s usually full of tourists and people tend to keep to themselves.”

Pet stores in Paris

“There are a lot of dog stores scattered throughout Paris, and most of them usually sell pets as well. Please note that most of the prices are way above what you would pay back in the US, so only buy if absolutely necessary (I ordered most of Birkin’s supplies from the US). BHV is the large department store located at Hotel de Ville. Behind the department store is the pet supply shop (also owned by BHV). They sell dog and cat accessories and some select brands of food.”

Jessica also told me about Chez le Chien, a pet boutique in the 7ème, which not only has lovely things but is also owned by an American lady, who’s “a great resource if you’re looking for groomers, dog-walkers, trainers, etc.”

BHV (La Niche)
42, rue de la Verrerie
75004 Paris
T: 01 42 74 94 31

Chez le Chien
10, rue Villebois-Mareuil
75017 Paris
T: o1 44 09 78 34

Photo by Pet Gear

As you know, I’ve long been searching for a good wheeled dog carrier that will work for in-cabin plane travel. I own one — the Creature Leisure Pet Pilot XL — but it’s just a hair too small for Chloe. I was excited, therefore, when a reader asked me what I thought of Pet Gear’s “World Traveler” carrier: It sounded like it was about the right size, and it had wheels. I was intrigued enough to order the bag and check it out in person.

The verdict is: Almost, but not quite. It’s a fairly attractive bag, and it’s not cheesily-made. It depends, structurally, on one very long zipper, which is annoyingly balky but seems substantial enough to do its job. The point of the long zipper is that between uses, the carrier can be collapsed into a flat packet. It doesn’t have a mesh panel on top — always a pet peeve of mine — but it does have sizeable mesh panels on all other sides. One effect of that? There are only two tiny pockets, located on one of the ends. Between the two pockets is a single, short vertical strap, through which a seatbelt can pass. I prefer a carrier with at least two seatbelt straps, and on the long end, so that your dog is secured at two points to your car.

The dimensions provided on Amazon are nearly the same (in fact, a hair smaller) as those for Chloe’s SturdiBag: 18″L x 11″W x 11.5″H. In actuality, the bag is bigger. The internal space is 11″H; overall, including the wheels on the bottom, the bag is 13″ tall, 18″ long, and 12″ wide. [Please note that it also comes in a size Small; Amazon's dimensions for the smaller bag are 15"L x 9.5"W x 10.3"H.]

Although it’s about the same size as the large SturdiBag (it’s an inch taller), it doesn’t compress like its competitor. It would have to rest on its side under your seat, which would mean you’d have to de-Velcro the base pad and move it around to the side (the sides are, like I say, mesh panels — not padded), or carry some additional padding with you. However, the stiffness of the ends and the bottom mean that it cannot compress, even lying on its side, to fit in a space shorter than 11″ tall — and too many airlines have spaces that are shorter than that. You could turn the bag around and poke it in, on its side, top first (so the fattest, bottom end was pointing towards you) — that way, you could jam most of it into a space that was 10″ tall but no shorter. But then, of course, none of the mesh panels would be facing you, which I think would be pretty horrifying for your dog, even just for takeoff and landing.

This carrier’s shoulder strap doubles as its handle — you remove the strap, then clip both of its ends to a loop on one end of the bag. The resulting structure rolls, but at a great distance behind you (which is awkward in a crowded airport); it’s difficult to steer; and it wants to topple over. On balance, I don’t think the wheels make up for this bag’s drawbacks.

Amazon link:
Pet Gear World Traveler Carrier

I don’t fly on Alaska or Horizon, so I was thrilled when a Dog Jaunt reader took the time to measure not only the spaces around her (she’d been upgraded to First Class) but also the under-seat spaces in Coach Class. She was traveling on an Alaska 737 (800 series) between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco. Here’s what she reported:

In First Class, there is room for a pet carrier in the open space between the two seats (she spoke with a flight attendant, who told her that that space is available). The space under the seats is taken up, in large part, by hard plastic panels (protecting electronics, probably, or a life preserver). A carrier up to 11” H x 17-18” W x 18-20” L will fit in the area between the seats.

In Coach Class, the middle seat is the way to go for anyone with dog carrier. The aisle seat has the least width, and the window seat space is “okay, but you have trouble getting out.” She recommends a carrier that is up to 10-10.5” H (maybe 11 inches, she said “if really squishy top“) x 18” W x 18-20” L. There is less vertical room for a carrier in Coach Class because a life preserver is hanging in a soft container under the seat.

This post is part of an ongoing series recording under-seat measurements of the various planes we fly on. Keep in mind that most domestic and international airlines have rules about the maximum size of in-cabin pet carriers they allow on board (see Dog Jaunt’s handy charts under the “Guides” tab above).

The first link I gathered this past week, courtesy of @pettravelcom, was an article from The Philadelphia Inquirer about how the author connected with Italians on a recent visit by photographing their dogs. It really speaks to me — we added Chloe to our lives because we wanted pet company on our travels, but I’ve since learned that traveling with her is a wonderful way to meet people, and to meet them at their unguarded best.

The links that followed were all good — let’s start, though, with food. Two Pitties in the City posted an excellent piece, with delightful pictures, about the handful of things they always carry with them so they can have an impromptu picnic at any moment with their pups. Ohmidog!, which is becoming a Chloe’s Clicks regular, knocked my socks off with a post about a Charlotte, NC bar (called The Dog Bar) that allows dogs inside — and heck, all over — simply by not serving food (you bring your own, from nearby take-out places) and using only beer cans and plastic glasses. Brilliant. Brilliantissimo! More places like this, please.

Fido Loves wrote a useful post about dog-friendly restaurants in Boston, kindly grouping their recommendations by neighborhood and offering some excellent advice re doggy restaurant etiquette. Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Life put up a quick post about Mayjane’s, the coffee shop in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter Hard Rock Hotel — the patio is dog-friendly. Bouncing back to the East Coast, a blog about Washington D.C.’s Capitol Hill published an article appreciating the dog-friendly places and services in the neighborhood, including a couple of restaurants.

And soon we’ll have reports from another community! A couple of Chloe’s Clicks ago, I mentioned that Vero Beach, FL was considering an ordinance that would allow pet-friendly dining in restaurants with outdoor patios. This week I learned that the ordinance passed — and of course I’m delighted.

Turning from food to adventure, the Take Paws team (definitely a Chloe’s Clicks regular) has been covering a lot of ground in the Western U.S. lately, by RV and on foot, and wrote a really sensible, useful post with tips for hiking with dogs. The author of Wilde About Dogs wrote a post about her anniversary trip (with husband and pup Sierra) to the Cienaga Creek Ranch (close to California’s Big Bear Lake) that has me itching to grab Walter and Chloe and go. On the more genteel side of dog travel, Solano Bride offers some useful advice, and tempting choices, for couples who want to bring their dog with them on their honeymoon.

I’ve written in the past about biking with a small dog, and guest poster Kim Garrison has talked about how she got her Japanese Chins (and her Lab mixes) started with a bike attachment, but my friend Karen Friesecke (of Doggie Stylish) found, as always, a creative twist on the topic — check out her link to instructions for making your own bike tether.

I’ll leave you with a link that makes me laugh (and cry a little too). We’ve got to do better, as a group, about picking up dog poop!!