Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Have Big Dog Will Travel - Part Two
By Joanie Ogg CTC MCC

Welcome to Part Two of Have Big Dog Will Travel.  I would recommend you read Part One before you read on. Part One appeared in the March issue of HBTANews. Just click HERE to read that and them please join me here for Part Two.

The Big Dog Has Arrived!

We arrived in Puerto Vallarta at 4:00pm on New Years Day, 2009. As the plane taxied to a stop, a very familiar sound permeated the airplane cabin. Yes, it was the sweet sound of Zoe in the luggage hold barking up a storm. Her bark is nothing short of VERY LOUD and VERY DEEP. The fellow passengers on the plane started to laugh. Proud dog-owners that we are, we smiled and took credit for being the masters of such a loud barker. Our pride held for the first three or four minutes and when the passengers stopped laughing we tried to make ourselves small and un-noticed. I was secretly thrilled to hear the bark because I knew she was alive and well.

We made our way through passport control and began looking for Zoe in baggage claim. We could hear her barking (as could everyone else) but no one was bringing the big girl through the extra-large baggage area. I am not sure if it was because she was so heavy in the carrier or what, but she was the last piece of luggage to enter the baggage area. Next time around, I might not be so patient, as I now know where they have to bring the larger cargo into the terminal and I will be there and ready next time.

Be aware that in a security facility and before customs and immigrations check, no animals can be taken out of their carrier.  Since the wheels of the carrier must be removed for the flight, be prepared when traveling with a large animal that this is a bit of a problem. Since we could not take the dog out to put on the wheels, we had to have a porter put the carrier (with Zoe inside) on a cart. This was a bit of a challenge and Zoe’s barking made it a rather hectic experience.  Luckily, they did not make us put her on the x-ray belt used for luggage! We tipped the porter very well for his efforts and his strength.

STOP!

We were immediately halted at the immigration check, as I expected would happen. I was ready with our necessary paperwork from the veterinarian showing all the needed shots and signatures. I felt very confident until the gentleman informed me there was a problem (un problema). This is not something I wanted to hear and I must have looked paniced. He looked in the carrier at Zoe and said “Santo Bernardo” excitedly. This was the first of many times we would hear that name and know that we were traveling with a “look-alike” movie star none other then Beethoven. I relaxed a little and he calmly told me to be aware that in Mexico rabies vaccinations were required annually.  Here in the United States they are currently good for a three-year period and Zoe was not current.  He waved me through and I thanked him profusely. I lucked out, but perhaps they just did not want to hear her bark anymore! The lesson learned is to be sure and check with the country you are visiting regarding vaccinations.

The Taxi Experience

The porter guided the Ogg family outside to get a cab. Punta de Mita is about a 40-minute ride by cab and is north of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Nayarit. Typically the drivers are anxious for fares, but when Zoe exited her carrier the choices dwindled a bit. It became even more of a challenge when I told the driver she must sit on the back seat with me. Try to imagine the picture.  It was about 75 degrees and humid. Zoe had been flying and in the luggage area for over an hour. She was hot, drooling (just like her look alike in the movie Beethoven) and shedding hair like she was going to go bald. Tom brought out the wad of pesos and we found a taker. We tipped him very well, as we knew he would have to get his suburban detailed after that ride.

Ahhh…. Air Conditioning

The drive was great and Zoe had her head plastered to the A/C vent for the entire ride. She was a bit nervous and her already droopy eyes (a trait of the breed) were hanging very low. I think her sleepy pill was showing some signs of a hangover. We finally arrived at our place in Punta de Mita and breathed a sigh of relief and exhaustion.  We had made it, and that was in itself a feat. I was covered in droll and dog hair, but happy to be at our Mexican home looking at a long two-months before another flight was necessary!

The Beethoven of Punta de Mita

I could write forever about our months in paradise. However, it is of a personal nature and is probably not helpful travel information for you to share with your clients. What I will tell you is that the Mexican people love dogs and they loved Zoe. She became rather famous in the small surf town and known by most children and adults as Beethoven. That movie must have been a real hit in Mexico, as one out of two people called her that just in passing. She brought incredible smiles to the faces of children and adults alike. She had more pets and more hugs from children and adults alike.

Dining With Your Dog

Taking a dog with you to dine at about any restaurant in the area is no problema. It is one thing to walk into an establishment with a small dog in a purse and entirely different to stroll in with a dog the size of Zoe. I cannot recall one restaurant denying us a table, but instead they welcomed us with open arms and smiles. Zoe would sit at our feet and watch the surf and anxiously await some tidbits of food as she slept on the sandy floor.  Many of the restaurants in Punta de Mita have tables on the sand and are of the Palapa style and have tables inside and on the beach. Most of the waiters offered to bring her food or water (bottled for Princess Zoe of course).  Zoe gained ten pounds in Mexico and shed about forty tons of coat. It was all good.

Planning to Return to the United States.

While I wanted to stay there forever, I knew only too well that the time would arrive when we needed to prepare for the journey home to the United States.  I had done all the research in advance of our trip about traveling home using the same sites mentioned in Part One. I did check online again while in Mexico to be sure there was nothing new or any additional things I needed to know before travel day.  I would suggest doing this just to be on the safe side and in order to be well prepared.

Zoe Visits Her New Vet in Mexico

When you leave Mexico with a dog you must visit a veterinarian no more than 5 days before you travel. Luckily there was a vet in Punta de Mita. I did not relish the idea of an additional cab ride, if not necessary.  I scheduled an appointment with them for Zoe’s final checkout and health certificate.  The vet did not speak any English and our discussion was interesting and enlightening for both of us.  He did a full check-up on Zoe. He was not able to weigh her as the scale was for small dogs. He took a wild guess on her weight based on what she weighed coming into Mexico. Luckily she only gained ten pounds or we might have had issues at the airport with the weight restrictions. He asked me a long list of questions, some of which I was not prepared to answer. Therefore, take note that it is necessary to know the following:

* Last date of application and brand of flea medication
* Last date of application and brand of tick medication
* Last date of application/dosage and brand of heartworm medication
* Last date and results of worming
* Written and signed originals of all inoculation records

I did not have the worming results, but had a good handle on the needed answers to the rest of the questions since I am Zoe’s primary caregiver and servant. Just a word to the wise to be prepared in case all of the above is requested. We paid a total of $40 USD for the exam, certificate and loads of love and affection from the vet. Oh, I forgot to mention they also gave her a rabies shot as well (all included for the above fee). 

Preparing the Carrier for Flight

On the Alaska Air website there are clear instructions about labeling the carrier for animal transport. They request that you have the animal’s name and flight information, as well as your contact information clearly placed on the carrier. I took it a step further printed out a large photo of Zoe and taped this along with all the required information to her carrier.  I had my cell phone listed on it, as well as flight numbers and our names. I had done this for the outbound journey so I again prepared this for our return home. The airlines do very clearly mark the carrier at check-in as well.

Homeward Bound

We scheduled a cab (big one) to pick us up on departure day a few days in advance. We wanted to be sure the driver was aware we would be traveling with the Big Dog. He arrived right on time on March 3 and we loaded up and headed to the airport. I think Zoe knew something was up when she saw that carrier being loaded in the Suburban. She had avoided looking at it the entire time we were in our home there. We left it in a spare room so she would not have to stress out too far in advance.  About thirty minutes away from the airport, I again administered her dosage of one Sleepy Pill in hopes that it would kick in at the perfect time.

Upon arrival at the airport we walked in with Zoe on her leash and waited in line to check-in. At the Puerto Vallarta airport, they let us walk through the terminal with her on her leash This made for a much saner check-in process than that of LAX. The agent and I worked through all the paperwork and it was seamless. She advised us that we could continue to walk Zoe around until a bit closer to departure so as not to have her be cooped up for too long. I appreciated her care and concern for the animal. I should mention here that Miss Zoe was a hit with the employees at the counter. Several of them sat on the floor and hugged and pet her till I thought she would howl with delight.

I should also mention that the Sleepy Pill was not working well thus far.  I think her weight gain in Mexico might have warranted a stronger dose. I could only hope once she was loaded on the aircraft that she would sleep well. It was all going rather well till it was finally time to load her in the carrier. She did not want to enter that world again and even the bacon I had with me was not tempting. Tom and I pushed her rear-end into the carrier, locked it and tried to walk away unnoticed. She started barking to beat the band. Tom hurried me away both to avoid my starting to whimper I think, but also to get away from the looks of the other folks at check-in who were not too keen on her barking.

At Alaska Air they give you part two of a two-part document that is used to identify the animal. They tape it to the carrier and you hold the other half until you are on board. Once they load the animal on the aircraft they take that slip of paper to the head flight attendant. They are then responsible for finding you at your seat and providing you with this proof that the animal is on board. It is a wonderful way to calm the owner's nerves.

After a margarita at the bar, I was ready to brave the flight time worrying about Zoe below in cargo. Once I boarded the aircraft I anxiously awaited receipt of the “I am on board Mom” notice. When the doors shut and I did not have it in hand as yet… I made my way to the flight attendants to assure we had Big Dog on Board. She smiled and said “Oh, I just was given this and forgot to get it to you. I am so sorry.” I was just relieved and returned to my seat hoping for a tailwind.

We landed in LAX right on schedule and once we taxied to a stop, I listened intently for that famous bark.  Perhaps it was the noise of LAX, but sadly I could not hear the bark. My worry set in. Upon arrival on Alaska Air in LAX the passengers are bused from the tarmac to customs. Where would Zoe go? I tried to see them unload luggage, but it was getting dark and I had no success. We made it through customs very quickly. When I filled out the US Entry form on the aircraft I checked the box traveling with an animal. I almost missed it since I am so used to traveling without.  At customs they asked me what kind of animal and I told them a Big Dog. That was it! They never asked to see the paperwork I had or anything else.

Extra Large Items

At LAX the extra large items are in a separate baggage area and this is where you will find them unloading a Big Dog along with surfboards, golf clubs and other large items.  The elevator door opened and there was our sweet little dog smiling and barking up a storm. I was so ecstatic to see her and she felt the same about seeing us. There are no porters there in the international baggage claim.  How would we manage getting the wheels on the carrier to get her out of the security area? The lines were so long leaving customs and there was no way we could carry it. I opened the carrier and tried to make her look small as Tom attempted to put the wheels back on the carrier. This was like something out of an Elvis and Costello movie.  An Immigrations officer hustled over to me and kindly said “Miss, you will need to put the dog in the carrier. We have security dogs here and your animal cannot be out of the cage.” I told him no problem, we just had to put the wheels on due to her size and she would be right back in the carrier. It sounded good and well but then we had to get her back in what she now considered a torture chamber.  She was not happy and sat down (all 90 pounds) and would not budge. Two fellow passengers took pity on Tom and I and all four of us shoved Zoe back in the carrier. 

She barked incessantly for another 15 minutes as we made our way through the line out of customs. The only question we encountered by officials there was whether or not we had any dog food with us.  We did not, but it is important to be sure not to have any in the carrier. We made our way into the “COLD” night air of Los Angeles, California. Well, it did seem cold to us after two months in Mexico. Zoe loved it and lied patiently by my side, as we waited for Tom to bring the car around to load us up for the ride home to San Diego. Zoe looked unscathed from her long day and I looked a wreck.  I was covered in more drool along with tons of dog hair and I am sure I looked as tired as I felt.  The worry had left me though and we were safe and sound back in the good ole USA with Zoe. 

I hope you have had some fun reading these two pieces. I had such a great time writing about our adventures and reminiscing about our wonderful journey.  I only hope that you will find this of value when you assist your clients who might be looking to travel with their large dogs.  I know I certainly could have used this information, as I began the quest for knowledge and resources on this topic.  By the way, Zoe is at my feet as I finish this article. We are both rested and ready for our next trip to Mexico!