Mister

So my mom asked me a few days ago if i wanted to come live with her....she is in Charelston, SC and im in Puyallup, WA.....thats about 3000 miles away lol.
So my question is...have any of you flown with your dog in the cargo? Im not talking about the toys that can go under your seat im talking about the Standards. Im sure Mister could handle it but its 6 hours in loud, dark and COLD....but i cant help but worry about him.
Oh and any airlines you recommend?

Olie

Sorry cannot offer any help on the flights or airlines, but I LOVE and HATE Charleston SC! LOL. great historic, shopping, and nasty traffic and less disirable areas We have about 30 stores there so I am there almost every week. Battery park is great for walking dogs!

*tina*

I have flown my dog twice across the Pacific. If you will be flying at the same time as your dog, I recommend United. That's who we flew with, and they were awesome. Midge was the last thing onto the plane and the first thing off. She was waiting for us faster than our luggage. United, on its bigger planes, has climate controlled cargo for pets. She did awesome both times, and on a shorter flight (less than an hour), she also did very well.

Raena

Mighite has flown about 3 or 4 round trips from mt to wa, he handles it very nicely. The seattle airport is pretty good about taking good care of them, but i love the billings airport, they dont like to carry him in his crate to put on the luggage carts, so they carry his kennel and i go back with them and have him load up there, it is nice to see him back. he has never seemed worse for the ware after the flights, and Mister seems like a pretty easy going guy. How many stops would you have to make on the flight, i think the layovers would be my only worry, i don't think they will let you check him even if there is time but i could be wrong.... something to look into. Good luck, btw!

Mister

Oh my gosh yes ill ahve to get used to the humidity and hot, i think it'd be better if it was just hot and not humid but oh well ill sweat off some weight lol.

I just really want a change in my life and although i have a bunch of ties here, its not like ill leave forever and i will come back to visit. Im just seeing a bunch of different opportunities over there that i dont have here. And i might as well travel while im young. I need to stop worrying about the details i suppose it will all work out in the end. if its meant to happen then everything should go off with out a hitch. My horse will cost about $1500 to transport over there! Im glad i have a very understanding momma

There is usually one layover in Atlanta, GA since we cant fly straight into the Charleston airport for some reason....and then i think the flight is right around an hour. Im sure he will be fine with the whole thing and just go to sleep. On car rides longer than like 5 miles he just curls up and falls asleep. I do need to work on kenneling him for extended periods of time again. He is great but when left alone at work for instance he will whine. I want it to be an comfy as possible for him. I bet ill get a lot of "is he a show dog" ha ha ha.

Marian

Could you get someone to drive to Atlanta to pick you up?

Why don't you just hitch your horse up to a covered wagon and let Mister ride shotgun?

Raena

LOL that is WONDERFUL!!! i have two more if you need more horse power hehe, completely understand about needing a change!

Who are you shipping your horse with, 1500 is not bad for cross country, i think i paid abt 600 port orchard to billings

Marian

I'm thinkin' she could probably get a deal for one of those reality TV shows to finance the trip.

If it was on TLC, it would have to have one of those catchy titles like "The Poodle Who Travelled Cross-Country in a Covered Wagon".

Mister

Ha Ha Marian you crack me up!!! Mister would be such a ham and enjoy all the cameras and riding shotgun of course! He already rides shotgun in my truck every day!
And the horse will go straight to SC not to GA at all....the layover is just in GA on the way to SC lol. My mom could come get me but it would be a pain so ill just fly the extra hour or so.
I havent told anyone really that im considering this but i just want a change so bad, i want to know what its like to live in another state and a state all the way across the country too lol.
I have been contacted by about 10 different transport companies and the average cost is $1500...They also have the oprion of having her in a box stall while travelling so she isnt tied up the whole time. I think i like that idea best. That way she can move around and drink and eat more freely. All of them stop every 3 hours to check on the horses and then camp over night and unload the horses for at least 8 hours each night so they can stretch their legs. I am worried about her losing weight and also colicing from stress. She is young and healthy so im sure she'll be fine, im just a very worried mama when it comes to my 1000 pound baby lol.
Also my 15 year old girl Osita might not come. It breaks my heart to consider that but she would not like a plan ride and im not sure she can fit up in the cabin...i also have little Gracie who would definately fit but then i cant have two carry ons....ugh these are just some kinks i have to work out.
Im sure my sister or my dad would watch over Osita till she goes over the bridge but i want to be there for her too. She's still a very healthy old girl, only thing is she takes thyroid pills twice a day and has a special diet from getting pancreatitis a few years back. She just cant handle table scraps or high fat foods.
I dont like leaving them when i go on vacay so it'll be really hard to leave them for good. I really wasnt happy with the way my sister took care of my dogs last time so maybe she would be better off with my dad. He would never admit it but i know he will lonely when i leave and when my pooches leave too.

Marian

In 1987, I was having the same feelings and thoughts as you. I was living in Louisiana (where I was born) and was dying to try something new. My sis and BIL were up in Boston, where he was going to school, so I went up there on vacation and then decided to move there. It's always easier if you move to someplace where you already know someone.

The day I left, my Dad actually cried. Not like sobbing or anything, but just teary-eyed and sniffling a little. It was so touching and it made me feel sad, but I knew I was doing the right thing for myself.

So I spent about 15 years in Boston and then moved down to NJ, and I have never once regretted any part of it. Sometimes I wish I hadn't waited so long though, but that's the only thing.

Don't be afraid to take your time preparing. It's a big move and will be a big change for you. I would even consider staying put until poor old Osita crosses the bridge. I think about 6-8 months passed between the time I made up my mind I was moving to Boston and when I actually did it. There is absolutely no reason to rush it.

Good luck with however you decide to do it.

PS About someone picking you up in ATL, I meant because of the possible issues with changing planes, etc. I didn't really think the horse was flying too! LOL