Hotels that don't allow pets. What is the deal with hotels/motels not allowing dogs like myself, or any other pet to stay in the room with their masters? Let me tell you, I behave better than most humans I know! I pee and poop outside (therefore I don't miss the toilet, nor leave the seat up). I don't get obnoxious or loud after drinking alcohol (mainly because I only drink water). I never turn the TV volume up (I have paws, not fingers and thumbs). I don't smoke or do drugs (I am however addicted to Snaussages, but isn't every dog?). Finally, I never leave a mess on the floor (especially since I eat everything because I follow the 2-hour rule , but let's be honest- it never lasts that long on the floor anyway!). So what gives? So I drop the occasional strand of hair on the rug, or couch, or bed. Okay, maybe it's a few strands. Doesn't the housekeeper vacuum? My favorite hotel is the Sheraton Brookhollow in Houston, TX. There was this very cute poodle that I met in the elevator. Here name was Diamond and boy did she have a tail on her!	Why do airlines charge my master for me to fly on a plane when I'm basically a carry-on bag? Tony is charged either $75.00 or $80.00 (depending on the airline carrier) EACH WAY, every time he has to take me on a plane trip. I am considered a carry-on bag and fit underneath the seat in front of him, just like any other bag. In fact, I'm much smaller than most traveler's bags. So what is the cost incurred by an airline carrier that they must pass on this expensive inconvenience to the traveling pet owner? Here is a response from an unnamed major airline based at DFW airport: "We appreciate your comments regarding the price of transporting a pet and I've forwarded your email to the management personnel who set the fees for such services. For now, however, the current charges will remain in effect -- allow me to explain why we charge a fee for transporting animals, regardless of whether they are shipped via cargo or ride in the passenger cabin. As you probably know, we limit the number of pets we can accommodate in the cabin. But what you may not know is that there are costs associated with monitoring this process. For example, whenever customers inform our reservations agents that they plan to use an under the seat animal carrier, the agents must take action to ensure we don't exceed the number of allowable pets. In addition, there is a significant cost to cover the special handling required whenever animals are transported in the baggage compartment. There are even more hidden expenses. We allow seven kennels in the passenger cabins on every flight in order to satisfy the needs and wishes of customers traveling with their animals. However, we also receive plenty of negative feedback from other passengers who are allergic or otherwise bothered by an increased number of animals. Again, there are costs involved in responding to the needs of those customers." In other words, the fee that Tony pays for me to travel in a cramped bag at his feet is money that airlines hold in an interest bearing account "just in case" some traveller has an "allergic reaction" to my hair and wants financial restitution. Although, because I have hair and not fur, nobody can actually get allergic from me specifically. Don't humans get more sick from the pillows and bedspreads on a plane, or even from the recycled air than dog fur? Hmmmm. No wonder my master is putting me to work! Also, a serious note to pet owners who fly. If at all possible, avoid checking in their furry loved ones in the baggage compartment. The cargo hold is not always pressurized and this can cause severe health problems (mainly pneumonia) for pets travelling below the cabin. Tony lost a pet that way when he moved from New Jersey to Dallas. It's a sore subject, it gets him very emotional thinking about it. So do your pet a favor. Either drive your pet when you want to take a trip with him, or leave him at a local pet spa or friend's house, preferably with a big yard!
Beaches that don't allow pets to swim and play with their masters. Oh my DOG! Don't tell me people are allergic to my hair at the beach? Is my hair going to clog the waves in the ocean? I play nicer than any kid out there and I also don't leave chicken bones or banana peels buried in the sand! Although grateful for a good bone anytime, I'd prefer a beef bone because they don't splinter like chicken bones do and won't lodge in my throat.
****UPDATE****The Law in Texas has changed-Yeah!!! I am now only required to get a rabies shot once every three years like my fellow dog friends around most of the country!****Thanks to everyone for writing your State Representatives to change the current law!**** Rabies shots EVERY YEAR! In the State of Texas, I am required to get a rabies shot every year because it is mandated by the Texas Legislature. However, my vet tells me that a rabies shot lasts for 3 years and this is why most states require that a dog receive a rabies shot every 3 years. Texas is one of the few states that doesn't follow veterinary advice and requires me to get a shot every year. Their thinking is that if every 3 years is good, every year would be better. There is no medical proof for this, I am told. In fact too much medicine may be harmful. It is also a waste of my master's money. He could use it to buy me more snacks and toys instead. Also, those long needles sting like the dickens! Please write your state Senator and Congressperson to have this changed! I'd write myself, but I can't. My job is to just look cute!
People who leave their pets in a hot car. I'm real glad Tony never did this with me! A clue to pet owners; dogs are lovable and want to go everywhere you do, but sometimes we don't have common sense! It doesn't take much for us to get overheated, especially those of us with a fur coat permanently attached to our skins. What makes you think that we would last in a hot car with windows shut and without water in the middle of summer while you shop at a grocery store for 45 minutes? Please use some common sense. Enough said.	PET OWNERS THAT DON'T CLEAN UP AFTER THEIR PETS! The reason for all the Pet Peeves on this page is that many pet owners don't clean up after us! Therefore, because of the mess we leave behind, hotels don't want us! Park rangers, life guards and restaurants don't want us! Airlines want us because they make money off of us because we have careless owners that don't clean up after us! If I could pee and poo in a toilet and flush afterwards, BELIEVE me I would do it! The scene in the movie "Bruce Almighty" where Jim Carey wills his dog to pee and poo in the toilet-news flash, that's not real! It's a SPECIAL EFFECT! Do you think it's fun doing number 2 out in public with everyone staring at you like you're a freak? I'm very grateful that Tony cares enough for the neighborhood we live in and cleans up after me with these neat little plastic bags that attaches to my leash. He found them at my favorite store PETCO. Please, I'm begging you! CLEAN UP AFTER US! We literally can't do it ourselves!