Including your dog on a trip is rewarding for both you and your dog. They get to experience new sights and smells, and it also encourages you to explore parts of a city you wouldn't have without a pet. For example, when my husband and I took our dog, Josie, to Cincinnati, we had to search the downtown area for a suitable potty area. We walked several blocks outside of what would have normally been our comfort zone looking for grass. While planning for the trip I noted that there was a dog park a half a mile from our hotel. We walked there each morning to let our dog play and run out some energy. We met some of the locals and became "regulars" in a city we didn't even live in. Without Josie, we would have woken up, had breakfast, and went to the first activity. Although walking 15 minutes to a park seems like an activity in itself, it was quite relaxing and allowed us to really take in the new city.
The point is - bring your dog.
But if you're going to bring your dog, be sure to research and prepare in advance. Dog fees add up, sometimes "dog friendly" really means "dog tolerable," and restaurants that are listed as "dog friendly" on Bring Fido may have changes their policies - so now your only option is take out. With proper planning, you and your 4-legged family member will have a memorable trip that'll have you excited for the next one.
Follow along as we share some of our experiences with traveling (by car) with our two-year-old aussiedoodle husky mix, Josie.
