Traveling with your pets can make your vacation more fun than ever.  Time away from your daily routine is a chance to explore, relax, and strengthen bonds with the people-or animals-you love.

First and foremost, get a current copy of your dog's medical and vaccination records to take on your trip.  These records can literally be a lifesaver if he gets sick or injured and you have to visit a veterinarian who is unfamiliar with your dog's medical history.  Consider microchipping before you go.  Microchips are a must for safe, pet-friendly travel. Your pet's unique ID number on the chip can be used to retrieve your contact information-as well as the contact information for another person you specify-no matter where your pet gets lost.

Road trips make for great dog-friendly travel, because, chances are, you and your pup have already hit the road together.  Safety matters when you're traveling with pets in the car.  Shop for dog car seats, carrier, auto barrier or seatbelts far enough in advance that you can both get used to the one you pick.  You should never let your dog hang his head out the window-the debris could scratch his eyes or damage his throat-but dog seat belts should not restrict him uncomfortably, either. While driving, your attention must always be on traffic, not your dog. Keeping him restrained will help avoid unexpected surprises.

Taking your dog with you on road trips can be fun, but not if your pal gets sick every time he sets paw in the car. About 15 percent of dogs suffer from this type of motion sickness. Stop frequently for leg-stretching and bathroom breaks and bring along dry food as snacks or treats.  Giving your pal one or two ginger cookies before traveling may help prevent carsickness (ginger is a natural antiemetic) - but wait until the trip is over to offer a full meal.  NEVER leave your dog in a locked car for any amount of time, not even if you'll be right back. The temperature in a parked car in warmer months or climates can kill your pet in just minutes.

Your dog thrives on routine at home as well as on the road. Taking the routine with you on the trip helps soothe any stress he or she may feel in the car and unfamiliar surroundings.  Bring favorite toys, food and water bowls as well as his or her bed, collar with ID tags.

According to Cars.com, nearly a quarter of all pet owners travel with their pet more than 20 times a year. Vacation is all about fun and new experience, so including your pet in your road trip is an amazing bonding experience that you'll remember for a long time-just make sure you take the right precautions and you'll be sure to love traveling with your pets.

Minnie is pictured above (with Emily) and both are available for adoption.

Long summer days provide wonderful opportunities to spend some outdoor time with your dog, but summer activities such as trips to the local dog park are only fun when no one gets hurt.  Few dogs can resist having a little hot fun in the summertime, but warm days can induce serious heat-related illness heatstroke.

It happens when a dog's body cannot dissipate heat fast enough in the usual ways: by panting to cool his blood or through his skin, mainly on the face, ears and feet.  If body temperature rises past 104 degrees, your dog may slow down, become weak, or collapse. If it rises past 109 degrees, your dog can die.

You can take steps to prevent heatstroke. The most obvious is not leaving your dog unsupervised in a car on a summer day. In addition, allow your dog limited exposure to direct sun on hot days and give him plenty of water and shade. Cooling beds offer a soft, climate controlled spot for dogs to rest during the summer.
Some dogs require extra vigilance against heatstroke: puppies younger than six months old; overweight dogs and senior citizens; dogs with heart disease, airway disease, a history of seizures, fever or other illness; and brachycephalic breeds - the type with short, wide faces such as Pugs and Bulldogs.

However, any dog can get heatstroke if he's dehydrated or overexerts himself in the heat.  Mild heatstroke can be treated with rest in a cool room with fresh water to drink. Listen for labored breathing or excessive panting. Watch for bright-red gums and eye rims, or signs of weakness and disorientation. If you see these symptoms, cover your dog with a cool, wet towel, or place him in a cool - not cold - bath. If your dog's rectal temperature reaches 105 or more, call your vet immediately.

What better way to spend a hot day than swimming with your dog? The most important swimming safety issue is whether or not your dog likes it. Don't toss your Pug into to pool because you think it would be fun for you to see him swim. If your dog likes to swim but doesn't swim well, get him a life jacket to make it easier for him. Watch your dog at all times when he's swimming - he may become overly tired and need help getting to shore, or he may not be able to get out at the side of the pool. When you're done swimming for the day, clean out your doggie's ears with a drying powder or ear solution to avoid infection.

Go out, have fun and stay cool, but keep your veterinarian's number handy just in case.


Gary, the beagle pictured above, is available for adoption and so is Roy, pictured with the hose!  Click on the images to be lead to their profiles.