djo@sdchema.UUCP (Denise O'jibway) (12/11/85)
I have travelled with my dog on an airplane across the country. I bought the largest crate available from Republic Airlines for my Malamute/Timberwolf. I put her stuffed animal and some of my clothing in with her. She seemed to suffer no ill affects and the Airline was quite considerate to me and to my dog. Our return flight was fogged out and we got redirected to another airport, but they were quite helpful to me and let me get to my dog in the confusion. I do differ with a previous article on this subject in that I tranquilized my dog and I would do that again. I think being out in the baggage compartment of an airplane must be a terrifying experience, not to mention LOUD. My one worry when our flight couldn't land was that we would be herded around so much that I wouldn't be able to be with my dog as the tranquilizer wore off. Fortunately, that did not happen. I didn't notice any lingering affects from the tranquilizer. She was groggy but it was nothing a good dinner and a nights sleep didn't put right. I should perhaps mention that my dog is a rather sensitive and high-strung animal. She is shy of fireworks and loud noises, in fact, I've seen her freak out on several 4th of July's. She otherwise has a quite calm nature but I felt that the noise of airplane travel alone was reason enough to drug her. By the way, my dog and I had a marvelous vacation together, camping in northern Michigan for two weeks.