All Things Dog Blog Inspires...

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

What a delightful way to start the day. As soon as I signed on to check my morning comments, there it was--an award from Boondocks the Wonder Dog. I'm not sure exactly who we've inspired, but it felt good to know that Boondocks and his family felt our presence. Thanks to Boondocks and his whole pack for this nice compliment.


The fun part of winning one of these blogging awards is passing it along. It gets to travel to whomever I choose X 10. It's always tough to narrow it down to 10. Let's see how I do, and please know these are in no specific order:

1. Carol Bryant--This is awarded to Carol personally, as a writer that I respect and enjoy working with. She can choose to display the award wherever she wishes--a professional site or her FIDO Friendly blog.
2. Kim Clune--The same goes for Kim. Since she has 2 blogs, I'll let her choose where to display her award: Btc4Animals or This One Wild Life.
3. Doreen Disbro--For your faith in my efforts to get a giveaway blog hop started, thank you for inspiring me further: Doggies and Stuff.
4. Elizabeth Glavin--You've been a delight to work with in our crossover areas of saving money on pet stuff, but most of all you're one of those young women that takes the bull by the horns and gets where she intends to go. You go girl: 20something Saver.
5. April of A Mommy's Sweet Blog Design-- Thank you for being so patient and willing to work with my very specific Bow Wow ideas about my blog's little design issues. Your patience earned you this award.
6. Paris Permenter--Although you and Dogtipper have probably won every award in the blogging world (or should have), perhaps you'd like to display this at CatTipper as a thank you from my cat, Patches, for all your gracious assistance to me. P.S. Patches wants to be featured as a cat of the day.
7. Michael Baugh--Thank you for joining All Things Dog Blog as an Ask the Dog Trainer columnist. Your writing inspires and has earned you this award for Michael's Dogs.
8. Pat Bradley, DVM--I can't thank you enough for the hours of devotion you have given to your Ask the Vet column here. Written with such touching humor and understanding, the counselor side of you always shines through.
9. Terry Lynn Cuyler--For sticking with me as an Ask the Trainer columnist, through complications in our electronic communications, I am thrilled that you're here and always love the variety you are able to bring to your answers for our readers as their Paws Prof.
10. Leslie May at Raise a Green Dog--What can I say except that my blog is your fault! I found your site BEFORE I even conceived of a dog blog. At the time I was writing about green and organic living and your blog introduced me to a way of sharing my dogs in the light of that lifestyle. It was the perfect fit. Thank you for inspiring me.

Grab your award from the top of the page and take enjoyment in the process of choosing those you will bestow the award upon now. The rules say 10, but I'm not counting. Enjoy the journey!

Top 10 Tell-Tail Signs of TLC (True Love of Canines) at Your Accommodations

By: Carol Bryant, Social Media and PR Director
FIDO Friendly magazine

© C. Bryant
Dexter Sports His Shades for
Travel Time

You make the decision to travel with your dog. It’s vacation time, weekend warrior time, and/or overnight adventure time, but what should you look for? Outside of the basic questions to ask the front desk (weight limits, breed restrictions, pet fees), FIDO Friendly has compiled a list of things that make a dog-welcoming getaway extra special. Think of finishing touches that we humans look for: mint on the pillow, comfy thread count sheets, the staff welcoming us and knowing our names. These are some of the things we look for and wanted to share with All Things Dog Blog readers when booking a FIDO Friendly vacation. We also have a special contest getaway at the end of this blog post.

So what are the extra touches that make our legs twitch and roll over for tummy rubs?

© C. Bryant
Dexter Looks for TLC

10. "More than a patch:" Ample grounds upon which to walk with Fido is always a bonus, especially at midnight when nature calls and the dog answers.

9. "Waiter, I'll have the sparkling water:" Well-behaved dogs who are welcome to dine al fresco with their human family members gets four paws up from team FIDO Friendly. One such example is the MacCallum House in Mendocino, California.

8. "Talk about a doggie bag:" A menu of food items dedicated to dogs makes guardians feel the extra pampering is there for Fido, too. Homemade biscuits for dessert are a delectable finishing touch.

7. "Are we there yet?" A printout upon check-in of surrounding Fido-friendly attractions, shops, dog parks and things to do with dogs is always appreciated and welcomed.

6. "Teacher's Pet:" A chalkboard or sign in the lobby personally welcoming any canine guests arriving that day scores major tummy rubs. When the staff remembers the dog's name and says hello, our leg twitches, too.

5. "Turn it Down:" And we don't mean the in-room television. More and more BandB's are offering free turndown service and a late night snack (biscuit) for Fido. Having personally experienced this, major wags to those offering the service.

4. "Rut Roh, Raggy:" BandB's that provide towels to canine guests specifically for wet paws and sheets in the event Fido is allowed on furniture are forward thinkers. Preventing wet and/or muddy paws from tracking the carpeting is a win-win for everyone.

3. "Bowl Me Over:" Many properties offer Fido the use of size-specific in-room bowls during his or her stay. In case you forget to pack yours or just need an extra, this added amenity is a thoughtful gesture.

2. "Can Rover Sleep Over?" Offering canine guests the use of in-room pet bedding is a fun feature many BandB's add to their amenity package. Knowing if Fido is a tiny terrier or a slumber clumber prior to arrival means the right sized bed will be available.

1. "Leave No Dog Behind®:" Receiving a copy of the latest FIDO Friendly magazine upon check-in tells guests that Fido is not only allowed but welcomed and a part of the family. Wag-tastic!

Getting ready to celebrate our 50^th issue and 11 years strong, for more FIDO Friendly content, subscribe to the magazine at www.fidofriendly.com and visit our blog at http://blog.fidofriendly.com.

While there, enter our 3-day 2-night getaway to Nantucket for you and your dog (with lots of extra goodies, too!): Bow WOW FIDO Friendly Nantucket Getaway

Is Fido Doggone Ready for Vacation? We've Got You Covered!

Written by: Carol Bryant

(c) Carol Bryant
Dexter on Vacation

Vacation: Those eight letters that so many of us pine for, perhaps once a year or perhaps a weekend getaway. For many canine owners, hitting the open road with an excursion in mind can also mean thirteen other letters: No Dogs Allowed!


Throughout sixteen years of vacationing with my cocker spaniel, I’ve heard countless numbers of fellow travelers say, “I wish we could’ve brought ours along!” I respond with the many travel tips and hints we’ve learned over the years. In lieu of visiting each of you to dish the inside scoop with unique how-to’s in making Fido’s frolicking as fun and fret-free as possible, sit, stay, and read a while.


Two Must-Have Products To Save You a Vet Visit on Vacation
1. There’s no place like home…that is, unless traveling with Fido, and then home is no place to appear solo on an identification tag. Your home address and phone number are of zero assistance to a lost pooch in unfamiliar territory. Make a temporary identification tag with hotel information and your cell number to help reunite Fido with you quickly, thus avoiding checking with out-of-area vets/shelters to find your pooch. Self-serve tag making machines have popped up in pet supply stores nationwide. Go green and recycle by creating a homemade tag with an easily replaceable insert using materials from a craft store. Change the destination with each trip you and your canine pal take. How much fun would it be to later scrapbook these tags representing all the places Fido has been with you?


2. UV rays are as harmful to pets as they are to humans, even in an air-conditioned car. Vet-recommended sunblock and in-car sun shades will keep your dog safeguarded en route and during your stay. A dog’s coat protects them in the summer and provides warmth in the winter, so use caution in grooming. Never leave FIDO alone in the car. Not only is he/she susceptible to heatstroke and/or death, but also theft.


Three Questions to Ask the Front Desk Before Booking a Room
“But it says you accept dogs on the Internet! Now I’m stuck!” Save yourself the utterance of those words by asking about pet policies and weight limits prior to booking a room. Just because a travel book or website says it is so does not make it so; pet policies frequently change. Additionally, ask about pet fees and access to greenery for Fido’s taking care of business.

(c) C.Bryant
Taking in The View

The One Question You Must Ask if Renting a Vacation Property
If you are considering a rental property, inquire if it will be checked for fleas and ticks prior to your arrival. The only souvenir you should bring home is sand in your beach bag or a snow globe for Aunt Marge, not pesky critters taking the canine express back to your abode.


A Five-Minute Quiz to Determine if your Pet is Road Ready
Do you spell the word v-e-t around Fido? Does the jingle of car keys elicit a slinking away of your pooch to a safer haven behind the couch? If your dog doesn’t like car travel, you can try to change this. Assess road readiness with a five-minute trip around the block. Slowly increase the amount of time Fido spends in the car, making the destination worthwhile (i.e., a favorite park). Praise “getting there” with a treat upon arrival. Never take a travel-fearful dog on a road trip. Desensitizing and gradually acclimating Fido takes time and patience. A vet or animal behaviorist can help.


Ten Items to Pack in the “Doggie” Bag for the Day
Pack a WT-WTCH (What’s The Worst That Could Happen) bag, including a first aid kit, water bottle and bowl, vaccination records, current photo, flotation device (for water travelers), clean up bags, wet wipes and paper towels. Toss in an extra collar and leash in the event either is misplaced. Access to clean, cool water is an all-season must have. Has Fido been in a similar climate to that of your destination? Prevent problems with allergy medication(s), a doggie sweater, tweezers for tick removal and a flashlight for nighttime walks.


Products to Make the Journey a Safe One
Show some restraint in getting there (he’ll never ask “are we there yet,” but potty breaks are needed). Never allow your dog to hang its head outside the window of a moving vehicle, as road debris might seriously damage the eyes and sudden stops can be deadly. Travel-ready safety products including harnesses, seatbelts, pet partitions, and booster seats will keep your beloved pup out of harm’s way and prevent interference with driver focus. NEVER leave a pet unattended in a car.


Elderly Pets Travel Comfortably Thanks to This Handy Travel Mate
Leave no pet behind, and that means seniors, too! Check with your veterinarian to assess your golden oldie’s travel feasibility and then pack a pet stroller/buggy. These products offer an ingenuous mode of transportation for pups of all ages who simply get “dog tired.” As with car rides, acclimate your dog prior to using it on vacation.


The One Call to Make Prior to Traveling That Just Might Save Fido’s Life
Be prepared. While an emergency visit to the vet isn’t on your vacationing “to do” list, inevitably some of us will encounter this situation. Locate the nearest animal emergency clinic prior to leaving for your trip or ask staff upon checking in. Access to this emergency information while vacationing might just save your dog’s life.


How and Where to Eat with Fido on Vacation
“Waiter, a doggie bag, please!” Even better, take your dog with you to a Fido-friendly eatery or outdoor café. Call ahead or log online to locate eateries which have special Fido-friendly sections in their outdoor patios. Dogs-welcomed policies are kept in place because of responsible owners, so do keep barking and begging to a minimum.


Look around on your next trip, then glance down to that loving companion by your side and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Traveling with Fido takes a little planning, but be the human your pooch thinks you are, and truly Leave No Dog Behind.®

Read more FIDO Friendly destination and health/wellness articles and get the latest and greatest in where to go with your pooch at: FIDO Friendly magazine





Call our subscription department at 888.881.5861 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm PST and mention code DEXTER for 20% off your subscription or renewal.


More travel articles:
Fido Finds ink48 Marks the Spot!
Virginia is for Dog Lovers

Visit Adopt a Dog Park

Help protect our precious dog parks

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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