PetSugar

Shop Spotlight: North's at Pet Camp!

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:10:33 -0700

I've alluded to my fave home-away-from-home for my lil guy in other posts, but I've never taken the time to explain why I love it so much. First off, North's practically a celebripup at Pet Camp – I think his hyperactivity must be pretty impossible to forget! I always feel comfortable dropping him off there and I know he's having a blast.What's he doing you ask? He's scampering on artificial turf with a playground that rivals many parks for two-legged kids with slides, tunnels, and other equipment for him to explore. There's both a group and individual yards for friendly or friendless days on over 6,000 square feet of outdoor fun!

To find out what special treats they offer read more.

Once dogs get back inside, there are plenty of add-ons for your most pampered pal – VIP playtime, swimming sessions, Yappy Hour (cold doggie beer served in a frosted bowl with a bully stick), and Bizzie Bones (PB frozen Kong). North's favorite is something called a pupsicle – it's a homemade recipe similar to this one except theirs has bananas, too. Mmmm.

While I'm spending the weekend celebrating a friend's birthday in Portland, I know North is off having a great time, too! They'll be composting his poop to generate electricity, treating him well, and snapping his photo – I hope to see his next Camper Cameos when I get back!

Get Up and Go: Bring Friendly Reminders For Your Pet

PetSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:15:14 -0700

I've got travel on my mind since I just returned from a super-fun wild adventure! Now, I'm waiting 'til next week to share my details of swimming with dolphins and snorkeling with rays, but it was def sad leaving my lil pup at home. Way back when I picked up North from the breeder, she suggested I place one of my unwashed tees on his bed in the crate so he'd get used to my smell and feel snuggly and sleep better. When I left North for the first time, I brought along a square from that shirt for him. Now, he's used to going on overnight adventures alone . . . but, what do I pack in his travel bag? To find out, read more.

Whether they're going to a hotel with you, or daycare all by themselves, it helps to pack a little travel bag – like this Weekender Pet Travel Gear Bag ($15.69) – for your pet. I'd include:

Dog Bed. If possible, bring along the bed your pup sleeps in. If your dog sleeps with you, consider packing a sheet.
Food. Although North's camp provides food, if it's not the food your pet is used to, his tummy can have a tricky transition. Make it easy on him (and the employees) and pack single meal plastic bags of dry food from home. That way mealtime will be smoother.
Treats and Toys. Consider bringing along some treats for your pet. If you have an overweight pup, this can help with portion control, and bringing those familiar toys will make him feel at home . . . away from home.

Get Up and Go: Do You Call to Check In?

PetSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0700

Talk about separation anxiety! When you leave your pal at daycare or with a sitter, how often do you call to check in? Now, there are times when I like to hear what's going on with my pooch, especially if he's at a new place, and I'd hope I'd get a call if anything went wrong. For those of you frequent phoners on there, I'm curious – what do you ask, what do you want to hear, and what's the craziest thing you've asked or heard? After you answer the question, share your stories in the comments below!

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Keep Crates Cool With This K-9 Kooler!

PetSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:35:08 -0700

I know I don't need to remind you not to put a crated pup in direct sunlight - he's not trying to get a tan! In addition to also selecting a spot away from windows or heavy objects that could hurt him in an emergency, good ventilation is key. If your apartment gets super toasty (and you can't leave the a/c running while you're not home), pick up this K-9 Kooler.

On sale for just $9.50, it runs up to 100 hours on 2 D batteries - so more cost-saving than corded fans - and clips to any crate or kennel for home or travel use. Stay cool, dogs!

Pay As You Go: Check Out My Handy Chart of Airlines' Pet Fees

PetSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:40:10 -0700

For most of us - the most that wouldn't have hundreds of dollars to spare, won't take multiple trips a season or don't own a private jet - the price of air travel with pets can prohibit inclusion of furry friends in all but the most important of situations (like relocation). If you're wondering how much it will cost to include a pet on your next trip, I've gathered up the prices for the major airlines. How much will you pay as you go? Find out the one-way rates in the chart below.

Airline	In-Cabin	Checked Baggage	As Cargo
AirTran	$69	n/a	n/a
Alaska	$100	$100	n/a
American	$100	$150	n/a
Continental	$125	n/a	800-575-3335
Delta	$100	$175	$179–$689
Frontier	n/a	$100–$200	n/a
JetBlue	$100	n/a	n/a

See the rest of the chart when you read more.

Airline	In-Cabin	Checked Baggage	As Cargo
Midwest	$125	$150	n/a
Southwest	$75	n/a	n/a
Spirit	$100	n/a	n/a
United	$125–$175	$175–$500	800-822-2746
US Airways	$100	800-428-2966	n/a
Virgin America	$100	n/a	n/a

(If a phone number is listed, you'll need to call a representative who can give you the current rates for your pet's type, weight, kennel size, and destination.)

Do Tell: What Would Be the Hardest to Give Up For Your Pet?

PetSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:41 -0800

Would you give up your daily coffee (or tea) order to save for your pets? Well, according to a survey of over 1,000 people by the American Kennel Club, 96 percent of respondents would give up a latte habit to save for their dog's expenses. Hmm, while there are many things I'd do for my furry pal, I'm gonna have to stick with my coffee – North wouldn't want to hear the uncaffeinated grumbling I'd do on his morning walk without it!

With the current state of the economy, I'm definitely trying to save in some areas like fancy manicures or eating out, and can think of several other ways to pinch pennies. Also polled as choices were hair appointments, spa treatments, home remodeling, travel plans, Internet access, shopping, teeth whitening, gym membership, and new cars or other big purchases. Which of these (or other things), would be the hardest for you to live without?

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Out and About: Hawaii's Quarantine Rules

PetSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:00:29 -0800

Welcome to Hawaii! Off the bat, I want to mention that the Aloha State has a special quarantine law designed to protect resident people and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies. All dogs and cats, regardless of age, must comply with Hawaii’s pet import requirements. This makes it impossible to bring your doggie or kitty for a last-minute family vacay – you'll need at least four months of preparation, including rabies vaccinations and a blood test that requires waiting 120 days after a successful test result before entering the state. If you do arrive or relocate on the islands before this time period ends, you'll not only have to give up your pet, but you'll also have to pay boarding fees of $224 for five days or less (plus $17.80 each additional day after that) and relinquish your pet to the quarantine station on Oahu where you can visit during afternoon hours but cannot take animals outside of their outdoor kennel enclosures. To learn more about Hawaii's laws, read more.

This is a big improvement from the previous law, which required all pets to endure quarantine for at least 30 days, but it still makes travel to the nation's only rabies-free state difficult and pricey – even after paying for the necessary health requirements, it costs an additional $165 to get your pet released from the airport to the island. For those of you who've planned a trip in advance and waited the requisite time, they now also have a direct-release program for dogs traveling between the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu making it smooth sailing for subsequent island hopping.

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The Scoop: High-Flying Kitty

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:45:20 -0800

When ten-month-old tabby, Gracie Mae, went missing from her home in Ft. Lauderdale, her owner began looking everywhere, including having her father remove parts of the bathroom tiles and cabinet to look into a small crawl space. Kelly Levy's husband, Seth, had just left on a flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Dallas-Fort Worth and she learned that he also lost something – his black suitcase.

Flash forward to the next morning – right before Kelly was about to put up missing pet signs around the neighborhood, she received a shocking phone call. A man in Ft. Worth had accidentally picked up her husband's suitcase at baggage claim, opened it up, and out popped Gracie Mae. The good samaritan offered to hang onto the cat until her husband could get there and even bought a pet taxi for the kitty's flight home! With all the problems I've heard about pets traveling in checked baggage/ cargo in clearly marked kennels, this miracle cat (who still had her spaying stitches no less) survives being packed into a suitcase, going through x-ray, flying four hours to Texas, and being loaded and unloaded off a commercial airline as any other piece of baggage. Initial reactions make me think of not only how lucky this kitty is but also how shocking it is that no one discovered this shy cat during any of the handling processes. But, after the sad stories of Scooter, I'm so glad this mystery has a happy ending!

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Out and About: Tennessee's Doggywood

PetSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:45:48 -0800

Before you even enter Pigeon Forge's amusement mecca, Dollywood, you'll see Doggywood. In addition to kennel runs, Doggywood has four cottages ($30) for pooches to lounge in while you're riding the roller coasters, listening to the music, and seeing the craftsman demonstrations like at the grist mill. Built in 1982, this was the first fully operating grist mill made in Tennessee in more than 100 years. It was created exactly as it would have been back when locals relied on the giant water wheel to grind corn and wheat, but today sells cornmeal alongside its famous cinnamon bread.

Dogs haven't been allowed inside the park since 2002, so the one-of-a-kind indoor care facility is a must-stop for those dog owners who just can't bear to leave Fido that far behind. As an additional bonus, there's a special play area adjacent to the building so you can stop out for a quick walk or frolic before enjoying the rest of your day back inside the park. Like many of the buildings on the property, it's constructed in a rustic Smoky Mountain cabin style - it offers a homey feel with limited space so make those reservations in advance!

Click here to share your own tips with PetSugar's Out and About travel group - and stay tuned as our week of Tennessee continues.

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The Leading Lady of I Am Legend

PetSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:30:09 -0800

The (other) star of I Am Legend was not discovered on the streets of NYC or at a Hollywood casting call – Abbey, the 3-year-old German Shepherd, who appears in this new film alongside Will Smith, was hand picked (and rescued) from a California kennel. Experienced trainer, Steve Berens, selected and offered three weeks of intensive coaching to the pooch before introducing her to the rest of the cast. While there may have been some "creative differences" at the start (she barked at Will when he first walked up), after a short while, the two became friends and traveled to New York together to shoot this film. She stepped up to the role of co-star with style and grace, performing beautifully throughout the shooting. The only thing she wouldn't agree to do was play fetch – a backup pooch had to be called in to do the deed for that scene. I guess that would be too dog-like for her! After the film wrapped, Will offered a touching description of leaving his co-star:

It was painful. She is way on another plane of connecting to what your energy is, what your feelings are, and protective. It’s beautiful.

I can't wait to check her big screen debut - the film opens today nationwide.

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