| A landmark decision was made in the Sharma | | | | having the smell of the owner. |
| household. The family huddled together behind closed | | | | These days, vets discourage sedating a dog for |
| doors guzzling ample cups of tea weighing the pros | | | | travel. However, it is to be confirmed with the vet |
| and cons. should we should we, shouldn't we? Could | | | | directly. You will also need a good health certificate |
| she, couldn't she? Pitza, the luscious blond, feme | | | | (original) from the vet along with a valid vaccination |
| fatale of Bombay and the pride of the family was to | | | | record (copy) for the airlines. Carry these with you |
| travel by air with her tizzy headed handler- Radha to | | | | on the day of travel. |
| Delhi. Finally exhausted, it was decided that she | | | | It is advisable to feed a light meal 5-6 hours before |
| should and could. The next major step was getting | | | | the flight time. Make sure that they pass urine/ stools |
| details from various airlines for taking her across. | | | | before they travel. Once you reach the airport, the |
| Flying with your dog is not easy but if you have do it | | | | dog is to be walked with a leash inside the airport |
| once, and then air travel is a piece of cake. When | | | | and the carrier carried along. A security check will be |
| you book your ticket, ensure that the airline books | | | | conducted of the carrier, by the airport officials and it |
| your dog as well. | | | | is only when you check in your baggage that your |
| Excess baggage will be charged for the pet including | | | | pet is put inside the carrier, locked, weight and then |
| the carrier on actual weight basis and the same will | | | | the airlines does its job or carrying your pet to the |
| not be clubbed with free baggage allowance. Speak | | | | hold. Reassure your pet before this. A hug or two will |
| to the Cargo department of the airlines to get | | | | be most comforting for your pet. |
| correct carrier dimensions. Make sure that the carrier | | | | Once inside the aircraft ensure that the pilot is told |
| has adequate ventilation. Also see whether the carrier | | | | that your dog is traveling in the hold. A number or |
| has a water dish attached. Once they have given | | | | national carriers have pressurized hold only meant for |
| you that information, you can inquire from your vet | | | | pets. However, if it is a small aircraft, or the |
| or pet store where the carrier can be purchased. | | | | destination not one of the metros, reconfirm this. |
| Make sure that the carrier is labeled and properly | | | | Pitza and I finally traveled by Jet Airways, and I bless |
| identifiable both from outside and inside. Don't forget | | | | them every single day till date. I had arrived at the |
| write in bold the name of the pet, the passenger, | | | | airport with a carrier large enough for a tiger to |
| flight number and destination on the carrier. | | | | travel in. They were absolutely brilliant when they |
| It is essential that you get the carrier home a week | | | | realized that the carrier could not fit in the hold. In 45 |
| or two prior to travel, Put a couple of your pet's | | | | minutes flat, their carpenters stripped the whole |
| favorite toys in it with a soft absorbent sponge | | | | carrier down and reconstructed it. The staff was |
| mattress underneath. This is so that your pet can | | | | extremely helped and courteous. |
| get familiarized with it. A few days before travel, it is | | | | When we arrived in Delhi, they were kind enough to |
| best that the dog sleeps inside the carrier at night | | | | let me go and see Pitza get loaded from the hold |
| and during the day. However, on the day of travel, | | | | and be out on the airport. Hats off to them! |
| remove all toys and keep only the spongy matters. | | | | With my anxiety going out of control, I finally |
| This just a precaution so that in case your pet gets | | | | reached Pitza's carrier. Can you imagine my shock |
| stressed, he doesn't bite and choke on anything. | | | | when I saw her fast asleep!! |
| However, some garment of yours that is unwashed | | | | Well folks that's our real life story for domestic travel. |
| can be put inside so that the pet feels comforted | | | | |