Travel with Raja, pet travel advice, airplane travel tips, travel with my dog, how do I travel with my pet, Raja, shitzu, dogs
 
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Just Chill...
We just don’t know about this yet…would the introduction of full body scanners for airline travel mean pets also need to be scanned, or will Raja have to wait anxiously on the sidelines while I get scanned?  Personally, I’d like to say I don’t mind being scanned, but I already mind having to take my coat, belt and shoes off and allow everything I own to go filtering through an x-ray machine while I pad through the metal detector picking up flug and dirt on my clean socks.  I mean, we’re halfway undressed already, so why not just take it all off?  And I mind having to pack it all up again.  And I minded when we had film in our cameras and it printed out grainy because of the rays.  Raja doesn’t like it all that much either, but he puts up with it better than anyone I know.  

Hey, you know what else I mind.  And this is picky I know.  I mind that it’s OK to bring huge thick knitting needles through, but a little bottle of complementary, half-used hotel hand lotion needs to be put in a plastic bag to make it safe.  And, HOW does a plastic bag make it safe? 

Raja tells me I’m foaming at the mouth and might need to get my rabies shot, so I’ll table this tirade and get back to pet travel, which I suppose is why you are reading this.

We have done as much research as we possibly can to find out what full body scanners might mean for pet travelers.  At present, full body scanners are reportedly on order for many international airline hubs.  They are not widely in use yet and the controversy over and objection to such scanners is substantial.  Airlines are not prepared to say much about use for humans, and as yet, there is no printed regulation for pets. I suspect that pets will be treated like babies and toddlers, although what that may mean is yet not clearly stated.   

So, while I do not know anything about full body scanners and pets right now, I do know that, if you google “full body scanners” you can read that they will cause you to lose your memory, give birth to tarantulas and grow hair on your tongue. Readers, as soon as Raja and I know anything on this topic, we will tell you all about it, but until then, let’s just all chill.  Do not stop traveling and do not leave your adventure loving pet at home.  Adventures are for people and pets! 

 
It’s not hard to find hotels, condos and B&B’s that are dog friendly in the ski town of Stowe, Vermont.  There are lots of dogs trotting about Stowe all the time and the hotels have reached out to travelers who want their pets to have a nice holiday.  In fact, there are so many pet friendly accommodations, that I can’t even recommend any for fear of snubbing so many great places.  Google and you will find them. 

During the winter, dog dining is going to be restricted since dogs do not get into restaurants and all the outdoor cafes are covered in snow.  Nevertheless, a doggy who has a nice cozy condo, a warm sweater and snow boots can have a great winter vacation in Stowe. 

Some dogs work in the winter season.  Dog Carting (you sit in a cart and an enormous dog pulls you), Skijoring (you put on your cross country skis, get your poles, harness up a big dog or two and try to have him pull you without stabbing him or falling and being dragged) and Dog Sledding (yeah, just like the Iditarod) experiences are rentable.  Everybody says the dogs love to run and run and run while pulling things.  And, indeed, they may.  One wonders how much snow dogs like running while pulling amateurs down paths where they may have to shimmy aside for snowmobilers.  Big responsibility.  I’m sure the dogs see it as a professional challenge.  Raja says it can’t possibly be fun, but he’s not wired to run straight ahead forever at top speed when off leash.  Obviously snow dogs are bred and born. 

Stowe was established in 1763, but it was Swedish immigrants who began skiing in 1913 on Mt.Mansfield.  The first formal ski trails were cut 20 years later, but they still do not go all the way to the peak.  If you’re adventuresome, you can take the Gondolier from the Midway Base Lodge as far as it goes and then hike up to the peak (about 800 feet more) and ski the whole length. In summer your dog can take that hike with you, but it’s pretty harsh in winter.  And speaking of “pretty”, the place is just beautiful.  Less than a mile high, none of the mountain is above the tree line so all views feature lovely tall pines and glistening white birches.  You probably won’t see a moose or a black bear except as the ubiquitous motif in your condo. But those are the native wildlife and one can always hope for a not-too-close encounter. 

Raja liked Stowe; so did I; you will too. 
    RAJA BLOGS ABOUT PARIS FOR FIDO FRIENDLY As a world reknowned traveler Raja was invited to blog for his friends at fido friendly.com a website that helps pet owners find accommodations. Click here to visit Fido Friendly


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    Helen  feels most comfortable in places where she doesn't speak the language; she  likes to do almost everything, except hunt and watch TV sports. 
     Raja is a Shih Tzu.  Directly descended from the Mongolian wolf, Raja is hardy and loves to roam with his pack.  Tamed in the monasteries of Tibet, he takes the long view.  Finished in the palaces of 16th century China, he is elegant.  Rescued from China by the artistocrats of Europe, he is a ham.

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pet travel advice, airplane travel tips, travel with my dog, how do I travel with my pet, Raja, shitzu, dogs