Summer is a traditional time for car trips - whether a day trip or a vacation - and bringing your pet with you can be a fun and enjoyable way to spend quality time with all of your family. Here are some tips to help make your trip easy and carefree.
1. Make sure your pet can ride comfortably in your vehicle. Use a seat-belt harness or travel kennel to protect your pet from being thrown in the event of a sudden stop.
2. Bring plenty of food, water, and waste disposal bags. Not every destination will have these available, and everywhere you go, you will be expected to clean up after your pet.
3. If your pet needs medication, remember to pack it and your Vet’s name and number, in case you need to go to a different Vet for a refill.
4. If your pet is not micro-chipped, you may want to consider it. It is inexpensive, and will help in identifying your pet if they become lost and turned in to an Animal Control or Humane Society facility. Barring that, you can also make sure that the pet’s license is up to date, and collar is in good condition.
5. Don’t leave your pet in the vehicle. Temperatures can rise very quickly, and your pet can begin to suffer heat stroke or severe damage to nervous and blood systems, even with the windows cracked. Even leaving the A/C running may not work, as some cars may overheat and begin to blow hot air into the vehicle.
6. If you are staying overnight, remember to check ahead to be sure your accommodations are pet friendly, and what rules may apply.
By following these simple tips, you and your pet can have a great summer car trip.
Vacation planning includes your pets, whether they are going with you or staying behind. Here are some quick tips to help you in your planning:
If your pet is coming with you:
1. Be sure to have a copy of the most recent vaccinations and any special needs such as medication with you. You may need to provide proof of vaccination to a hotel or airline.
2. Pack food and water for a road trip.
3. If your pet needs medications, bring them with you with a copy of the doctor’s prescription or recommendation (in case you need to replace the medication).
4. Make sure you have a leash, harness or kennel for your pet to travel in safely and in comfort.
If your pet is staying home with a pet sitter:
1. Be sure to leave a copy of the recent vaccination.
2. Leave complete contact information for your Vet and your preferred emergency animal hospital.
3. Leave complete contact information for you, and an emergency contact in case you cannot be reached.
4. Make sure the pet sitter is aware of any special needs, such as medication.
5. Make sure there is enough food for the caretaker to provide for your pet, so there are no last minute substitutions of food brands which could cause additional stress to your pet.
If your pet is being boarded:
1. Leave complete contact information for your Vet and your preferred emergency animal hospital.
2. Leave complete contact information for you, and an emergency contact in case you cannot be reached.
3. Provide your pet with one of your tee shirts or a blanket that has home smells on it, for comfort.
4. Ask if your pet will be able to have a favorite toy with them.
5. Make sure that the boarders are aware of any special needs, such as medication.
Follow these simple steps and make your vacation more enjoyable and carefree for you, your family and your pets.
“As many of you know, I have two adult Rottweilers. ..Bud and TOO! Bud just turned 4 years old in May and TOO will be 8 in October.
I recently adopted a little male Yorkie named Gizmo and also have my 2 year old Grandson Cayden living with me.
When I got Gizmo, I knew house-training would be challenging due to him being only 2 pounds and very sickly (at the time). We have been using Potty Pads, which are more or less just big diapers that you put on the floor. Gizmo is now 9 months old and is using his Potty Pads all the time now.
Now for the nightmare!!
Cayden, the only human in the mix was also being potty trained! (can you guess yet where this is going?) Anyhow, Cayden has watched us for the last few months praise and give treats to Gizmo for using his ‘potty’. Cayden was wanting some gummy bears and had asked me several times for some but I had told him ‘no’ because it was too close to dinner time. Apparently, he assumed that if he used the potty he would get a treat and so he went right over to Gizmo’s pad, pulled his little shorts down and ‘went’…and then asked me again for gummy bears!!
Then, last night Bud (who has been house-trained since he was 4 months old) decided he needed to try using this inside potty! THEN, shortly after TOO (who hasn’t ever pottied in the house) went right over to that pad and peed on it too!!
Now, I knew there would be some challenges when I chose to take in what I affectionately call my two new troubles…but I never thought it would cause a pee-pee party!!
Helen: The ‘BlankieLady’ - Cleveland, Tn. Mom to Sammi, Jon, Chris, Jess, Pam, TOO, Bud & Gizmo Nana to Cayden, Kyle, Nick, Kim & Jesiah “
I wrote the following little story for Dad while he was still alive. He loved so many people and animals during his life. We had many discussions about the true meaning of unconditional love. He often told us we could learn a lot about love by watching animals. The story was read by my brother-in-law to Dad’s three- year-old grandson at his funeral which was bitter-sweet. The church was packed with Dad’s friends and relatives who came from miles away to honor him. They told their loving funny stories, and more than one person said they had been ‘adopted’ by our Mom and Dad!
Even though I lived in the city, the night before his funeral, twin fawns bedded down in my front yard. We felt they were sent by Dad because not only did he often tell us the story of the little boy, his dog and the baby fawn getting lost and spending the night together in the woods, but he also had an identical twin brother, Roy. Because Dad loved the animals so much, we felt him visit us through the animals often after his death. After the funeral, as the cars went down the road we saw a herd of galloping horses following the procession along the fence. On the same fence during broad daylight, we saw an owl standing in honor of him.
Twin Brothers: Roy & Fred Larson
The Little Boy’s Prayer There once was a little boy who longed to love and be loved. Every night he prayed, “Dear God, when I get older may I please have a wife and children? I promise to love them and teach them love, everyday!” And God remembered the Little Boy’s Prayer.
One day, when the little boy grew older, he saw a beautiful and kind young lady. He was very shy and new at romantic love. As soon as he met her, he felt embarrassed and ran away. But as time went on, they grew in love and married. Together, they learned about compassion and caring. And God remembered the Little Boy’s Prayer.
Because the little boy kept his promise, God sent four little girls to him and his wife. He taught his girls about love. His children invited their friend’s to visit. He loved his children’s friends and taught them about love, too. As the little boy’s love grew, so did his heart. And God remember the Little Boy’s Prayer.
Because the little boy kept his promise, God sent him animals of all kinds to love. He talked to the animals and loved them. He taught everyone around him to appreciate and care for the animals. And God remembered the Little Boy’s Prayer.
Throughout his life, the little boy kept his promise and so God sent him neighbors, friends, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even strangers to care for. He loved them all and taught them to love others. And God remembered the Little Boy’s Prayer.
When the little boy became very old, his heart could no longer contain this great love. It was then God looked around the world and found the little boy’s gift had blessed all of creation. So God smiled and said, “Come home and be with me little boy. Your work here is done.” And God remembered the Little Boy’s Prayer.
This is a Tribute to my Dad - Fred Larson, written by Sandra Larson
When Jim Colbert began raising three boys on his own after a divorce, it brought a big change in his life. But he’d already decided to raise his sons differently from the way he had been brought up by his own father. As he recently told his oldest son, Elton, the goal was to make them feel special.
Jim and his ex-wife, Barbara, went through a divorce in the late 1980s. Their sons continued to see their mother, but they relied on Jim for everything. When his parents separated, Elton was 13.
Speaking about those days recently, Elton, now 35, asks, “How did it hit you, when you found out that you were going to get sole custody?”
“It was a huge change in my life,” Jim says. He’d been spending time with his family, he says, “but not being the sole provider of everything, from cooking to cleaning. It sure gave me a whole new appreciation for single moms.”
For one thing, Jim had to figure out how to feed three boys every day — Joel is three years younger than Elton, and Jonathan is nine years younger.
“I think that first month, I probably hot-dogged and hamburgered you guys to death. I remember one of you saying, ‘Please Dad, anything but hot dogs or hamburgers. We’ll eat cereal!’ And I went, ‘Cereal! Jeez, I wish you’d told me that earlier!’ “
Jim’s parents had also divorced, when he was 3. He lived with his father — but he was determined to give his sons a different experience than the one he’d had growing up.
“Can you tell me some of the things that lacked in your relationship with your father that you tried to instill in us?” Elton asks.
Jim says, “I don’t ever remember my dad telling me he loved me. I don’t ever remember my dad giving me a hug.”
Instead, Jim recalls his father being critical — and prone to dole out harsh punishment if things weren’t done the way he wanted.
“So I decided that if I ever had kids, I was going to have it differently,” Jim says. “I was going to tell them how much I loved them, and I was going to hug them and spend time with them, and make them feel special.”
“Wow,” Elton says.
“So that’s what I tried to do,” Jim says.
“You accomplished that. We are a result of that love, so thank you for making that effort.”
“Well, thank you,” Jim says. “I don’t think that there’s a higher calling that a man could have than to be a dad.”
Since Father’s Day was this past Sunday, I’ve been thinking a lot about my father, Fred Larson. He was certainly no ordinary Dad! Maybe all Dads are special, but let me tell you one of the many reasons we loved him.
This morning I was looking over the pictures I wanted to include with this article and something made me think about all the little songs Dad made up for us over the years. Here are a couple of the funny ditties he sang to us over and over.
Bushel and a Peck, revised by Fred Larson(Original song was from the musical, “Guys and Dolls”, A BUSHEL AND A PECK) I love you and a bushel and a peck
I love you and a hug around the neck
I love you and a bushel and a peck
I love you and a hug around the neck
I love you, I love you too Mom!
I Love My Dolly, by Fred Larson I love my *Dolly and my Dolly loves me
We are so awful, awful happy
I love my Dolly and my Dolly loves me
We are so awful, awful happy
I love my Dolly, I love my Dolly too Mom!
(*A person’s name could be substituted for the name Dolly. We even sang this song in three-part harmony in honor of our Dad to Richard Dawson when the three of us sisters were on Family Feud together.)
If I’ve heard these two songs once, I’m sure I’ve heard them over a thousand times. Dad sang them to all of us including his four young daughters and their friends, his grandchildren and also his beloved animal companions. How is it possible that all of us never realized that when he was singing to us, he was also including Mom by adding the ‘too Mom’? I used to think it was a really dumb sounding ending. I wanted to ask him, ‘Dad couldn’t think of a better way to finish your song?’ Little did we know that all along he wasn’t just singing to us, he was also loving Mom, too.
I’m 58 years old, and it wasn’t until today that I understood this. Tears are filling my eyes as I recognize the easy and natural way my father found to embrace not only his children, grandchildren, animals but also his beloved wife, our Mom.
Happy Father’s Day Dad! I know you aren’t in a physical body anymore, but know that all the love you invested in everyone around you has multiplied a thousand fold! I miss you and yet I know you are with us still!
Animal Communication Blog 
