Doggone Etiquette —

Fall Vacation

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

A lot of you have been waiting all spring and summer for this best vacation time of the year! If you’re an older dog, the nights are longer for more sleep. If you are a stay-at-home kind of canine, there are final barbeques and preparations for Halloween. But – wow! – if you are an out-of-doors fresh air addict, autumn is just about perfect for a vacation. Obviously that does not mean visiting Aunt Millie in the city, but it does mean getting out and about. It’s putting your nose in the air and venturing into the woods and fields, around lakes and crossing streams. Are you ready? Then let’s go!

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

Vacations at this time of year are generally tied in with fall weather and to all the things that go to make a perfect outdoor treat for Rufus, no matter if it’s a day-trip or a long weekend. And we’re talking about perfect autumn weather. Cool, crisp days that bring out the good smells of the earth, the crackling of dry leaves and twigs and scurrying wildlife. All of it will bring renewed life to your dogs who are probably every bit as fed up with rain and storms as we are.

One of the best things to come about in recent years is the increase in the accommodations that now accept dogs as guests (along with their owners, natch). Going off on an overnight trip to admire the fall foliage used to mean Rufus had to stay home with a sitter or in a boarding kennel. Today the motel’s welcome mat is far more likely to include your dog. You still have to check ahead of time to be certain that it’s okay, but in most areas it won’t be difficult to find a hotel, motel, or private lodging that has the good sense to include our canine pals. Some go so far as to put out the red carpet, providing all kinds of treats and comforts for the dogs, in addition to suggesting areas you and the dog might like to explore.          

There are two things you can do to ensure the future of this dog owners’ vacation windfall. The dog’s manners must be completely reliable when he’s among unfamiliar people, in new or strange places. In other words, always consider the other paying guests who are not dog-owners. The second thing concerns the dog’s ID. For his safety and your peace of mind if you should get separated, be sure Rufus has been micro-chipped in addition to wearing his license and rabies tags.       

Of course, you may be a TV-football fan and not planning to go for more than a “time out” stroll in one of our state parks – either Collis P. Huntington or Paugussett – and Rufus certainly won’t sneeze at that! He may even convince you to go back tomorrow, or next weekend. Those dog safety IDs, and a secure leash by the way, are still a top priority even for local hiking. Chasing wildlife too often leads to a lost dog.         

Some of the best times – ones that leave us with the best memories – are those spent with our dogs, doing nothing in particular other than enjoying the world as the dog sees it. Enjoy autumn (with Rufus)!

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.