Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[S.S. Cruisers]

Great pictures of the wedding party, Sista, Sista! :D OMD, that car is in terrible shape! Glad she was okay.....

 

"Nani" is cute. I'm sure she doesn't mind!

 

[wizard-of-roz]

Wow, they sure faced way too much drama before the wedding - but oh, what wonderful photos! Wexler looks like a rock star.

 

Love all the other photos of the dogs - Henri, Naini, and Bucky!

 

Jagger and I are doing well. We did a St. John's River boat cruise on Saturday. He did very well, except we have to work a little harder on steps. He's done well so far, but the distance from the boat to the step was more than he was used to and he didn't do a wait. Oh well, something to work on harder.

 

Then yesterday we went out to the Ranch for a cook out and he got to play with all his friends. Came back one very tired dog. :)

 

Holly

 

As CCI puts it, "a tired dog is a happy dog!"

Edited June 1, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[wizard-of-roz]

You going on Carnival?

 

It's all about the timing. It's for my daughter's birthday; it's 15 days; it's before the Christmas break [there won't be too many families and young kids onboard], and I don't like the Star Princess.

 

Depending on the length of the cruise, the ship [we both like the Miracle], the venue and especially the time of year is what I based this choice on. My daughter likes familiarity more than anything. I took her and my granddaughters on the Miracle last year and they had such a fabulous time, she loved the ship. It's a perfect size and had just enough bells and whistles for her!

[alexspepa]

As CCI puts it, "a tired dog is a happy dog!"

LOL Saturday I took Lucy kayaking for the first time for either of us - we were both so tired we went to bed about 8:00 and she did not even want to get up for breakfast and you know for a lab that is pretty darn tired!

 

She spent more time swimming than kayaking...

[wizard-of-roz]

LOL Saturday I took Lucy kayaking for the first time for either of us - we were both so tired we went to bed about 8:00 and she did not even want to get up for breakfast and you know for a lab that is pretty darn tired!

 

She spent more time swimming than kayaking...

 

Sounds like a wonderful day for her.

 

I haven't tested Horton on anything other than a closed pool because he has such poor "recall", I'm afraid if I set him loose in a lake or ocean he would be gone in 60 seconds! I love and admire his spirit but he scares me to death when he's off leash!!!!

[Caribbean Chris]

Happy news after making final payment for our Alaska cruise at the end of August - our booking now shows our dining request as First (which we waitlisted for) instead of Open Seating. I had mentioned the request when returning my paperwork to the Access Dept., so maybe they had an influence. Or maybe it was the travel agency.

 

As you all know, it's so much easier to have the same table for dinner where the dog's tail won't get stepped on, and HAL so far has been great about that. Last cruise, they very kindly put us at a four-top table set for two against a wall in a corner. Perfect! She scooted under alongside my chair immediately every night, was invisible to waiters & passengers, and quietly snoozed until time to leave.

 

We have a small but entertaining Roll Call group for this cruise, which happens to be a "Sip Savor Sail" cruise. Some of our members report that they enjoy sampling wines (count me in), so they have dubbed our Roll Call as "Raylene & the Winos."

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy news after making final payment for our Alaska cruise at the end of August - our booking now shows our dining request as First (which we waitlisted for) instead of Open Seating. I had mentioned the request when returning my paperwork to the Access Dept., so maybe they had an influence. Or maybe it was the travel agency.

 

As you all know, it's so much easier to have the same table for dinner where the dog's tail won't get stepped on, and HAL so far has been great about that. Last cruise, they very kindly put us at a four-top table set for two against a wall in a corner. Perfect! She scooted under alongside my chair immediately every night, was invisible to waiters & passengers, and quietly snoozed until time to leave.

 

We have a small but entertaining Roll Call group for this cruise, which happens to be a &qu<script id="gpt-impl-0.9648933115264774" src="http://partner.googleadservices.com/gpt/pubads_impl_88.js"></script>ot;Sip Savor Sail" cruise. Some of our members report that they enjoy sampling wines (count me in), so they have dubbed our Roll Call as "Raylene & the Winos."

 

So cute. Our fellow passengers can make or break our cruise experience. Some of my most favorite cruises were because of the folks I met onboard!!!!

[rangeley]

My handsome boy!!

[alexspepa]

 

We have a small but entertaining Roll Call group for this cruise, which happens to be a "Sip Savor Sail" cruise. Some of our members report that they enjoy sampling wines (count me in), so they have dubbed our Roll Call as "Raylene & the Winos."

OMG that is too funny...Raylene is the designated driver!

[S.S. Cruisers]

My handsome boy!!

Huggles and kisses you gorgeous beast! I hope you didn't steal the show from the bride! :eek: I am sure she understands.

[wizard-of-roz]

My handsome boy!!

 

Such a beautiful boy!!! Horton has a huge grey whisker. At first, I was tempted to tell the groomer to cut it off and then I realized that whiskers serve a purpose for our dogs and should be treated with respect, as should the grey chin that starts to appear and shows so easily on our black dogs.

 

Wexy has earned his grey chin and wears it very proudly!!!!

[DUTRAVEL]

My handsome boy!!

 

So distinguished

 

Dianne

[Caribbean Chris]

OMG that is too funny...Raylene is the designated driver!

 

Well, she's definitely going to be the designated licker. (Get it? Liquor, licker...)

[Caribbean Chris]

Wexler looks SO distinguished!

[Krypti]

My handsome boy!!

 

Oh he's just beautiful!

[wizard-of-roz]

Well, she's definitely going to be the designated licker. (Get it? Liquor, licker...)

 

Got it!

[rangeley]

It's all about the timing. It's for my daughter's birthday; it's 15 days; it's before the Christmas break [there won't be too many families and young kids onboard], and I don't like the Star Princess.

 

Depending on the length of the cruise, the ship [we both like the Miracle], the venue and especially the time of year is what I based this choice on. My daughter likes familiarity more than anything. I took her and my granddaughters on the Miracle last year and they had such a fabulous time, she loved the ship. It's a perfect size and had just enough bells and whistles for her!

 

Nice Roz! We have one booked in January.

[rangeley]

Wexler sends a big "WOOF" thank you to all!

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy, well-deserved, weekend EVERYBODY!!!!

[Krypti]

Here in Arizona, it's going up to 116F/46.6C this weekend. Asphalt can get up to 170 degrees, and concrete can get up to 150. Please remember your dogs' paws!

 

If you can't hold the back of your hand against a surface for thirty seconds, it's too hot for your dog to walk on!

 

So if you're in the desert Southwest -- or anywhere in the US, really, considering the heatwave -- please be careful. Walk your dogs early in the morning or late at night, after the pavement has started to cool off. If you must go out in this heat, remember to provide plenty of water and keep your dogs' feet (and the rest of them!) in the shade.

 

The best option is boots, of course. You ca pick up cheap boots at Petsmart, Petco, and other stores, but they won't keep your dog's paws safe for more than a few minutes.

 

Ruffwear makes some great boots -- we use Summit Trex, because the attached cuff helps keep cactus stickers and gravel out. Ruffwear offers a Pro Purchase Program for service dog handlers, offering steep discounts on boots, socks, cooling vests, life jackets, and other useful products. More info here: http://www.ruffwear.com/Pro-Purchase-Program

 

Stay cool!

[wizard-of-roz]

Here in Arizona, it's going up to 116F/46.6C this weekend. Asphalt can get up to 170 degrees, and concrete can get up to 150. Please remember your dogs' paws!

 

If you can't hold the back of your hand against a surface for thirty seconds, it's too hot for your dog to walk on!

 

So if you're in the desert Southwest -- or anywhere in the US, really, considering the heatwave -- please be careful. Walk your dogs early in the morning or late at night, after the pavement has started to cool off. If you must go out in this heat, remember to provide plenty of water and keep your dogs' feet (and the rest of them!) in the shade.

 

The best option is boots, of course. You ca pick up cheap boots at Petsmart, Petco, and other stores, but they won't keep your dog's paws safe for more than a few minutes.

 

Ruffwear makes some great boots -- we use Summit Trex, because the attached cuff helps keep cactus stickers and gravel out. Ruffwear offers a Pro Purchase Program for service dog handlers, offering steep discounts on boots, socks, cooling vests, life jackets, and other useful products. More info here: http://www.ruffwear.com/Pro-Purchase-Program

 

Stay cool!

Wonderful advice!!!

[DUTRAVEL]

Here in Arizona, it's going up to 116F/46.6C this weekend. Asphalt can get up to 170 degrees, and concrete can get up to 150. Please remember your dogs' paws!

 

Ruffwear offers a Pro Purchase Program for service dog handlers, offering steep discounts on boots, socks, cooling vests, life jackets, and other useful products. More info here: http://www.ruffwear.com/Pro-Purchase-Program

 

Stay cool!

 

Thanks for the great info. Its going to be hot where we live too - 105 degrees.

 

Have a great weekend everybody!

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

well, she's definitely going to be the designated licker. (get it? Liquor, licker...)

 

lol!!

[S.S. Cruisers]

Hhheeellloooo, anybody out there? No posts since the 3rd? I know I am guilty of just lurking lately. Hope everypawdy is ok and just busy.

 

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi Nancy, thanks for checking on us........I'm involved in work and when I have a chance am checking into all the stuff I have to do for Horton, for my 19 day cruise through the Panama Canal. I had to renew my Passport, that's done and now I have to focus on Horton.....There's a special Health Cert. for the export of dogs/cats into Costa Rica. Horton is due for his Rabies Vac. in November, so it's perfect timing for us. And, of course, since he's currently on regular doses of HeartGuard and NexGuard, every month, our bases are all covered.

 

I hope everyone is doing okay with the various weather conditions all over the US. We've had a heat wave and some fires in our area. Thank goodness we survived the heat and the fires were close but really didn't affect us too badly. My niece and her family had to evacuate their home over night but were very pleased when they could go back home the next day. Our firemen are true heroes.

 

Stay dry, cool and safe everyone!!!!!

Edited June 7, 2016 by wizard-of-roz