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

[rpclmc]

Gosh, it has been almost a month since I checked out this thread.

 

Sounds like everyone is doing great.  I have booked two cruises so far for this year.  Carnival Inspiration on May 18 to celebrate my daughter and her boyfriend's 21st birthdays.  And Carnival Conquest B2B in September for the annual girl's cruise.

 

We went back to where I grew up in Illinois, University of Illinois for Christmas with my parents and 3 brothers.  Sad it will be my last Christmas with one of my brothers (unless there is a miracle).  He has terminal cancer and actually got hospice care Tuesday.  None of this is unexpected, just kind of sad.  We have been lucky to have him this year as we didn't think he would make it through last Christmas.  He had a totally new experimental treatment, that really helped with his pain and extending his time.  But the cancer is growing expentially now and there isn't anything more they can do for him except try to manage his pain.

 

OK, done sharing the sad.  Halo did great on the trip.  I asked him to show my brother some extra attention.  Halo is amazing.  He is not a very social dog to new people and really doesn't know my family well.  Halo sticks by mine or Rich's sides when we are there.  Every time my sick brother was around he would go to him and kiss his hands and just hang out around him.  That brother just loves dogs, but doesn't have one.

 

No big plans until we head back to Idaho the end of April.  Jeff Dunham tickets the last Saturday in April in Idaho and my daughter graduates from college on May 9th, then cruise on May 18th.  We might go to St. Augustine, Florida February or March.

 

I love catching up with everyone.  Sounds like everyone is keeping busy.

 

Linda and Halo

[wizard-of-roz]

4 hours ago, DUTRAVEL said:

 

Its amazing how the organizations and instructors who train these dogs do such a good job of matching them to the appropriate roles. Henri is fantastic at what she does for me, but she would make a terrible hearing dog. She is not sensitive to noise and fireworks don't bother her in the least. The only thing that makes her nervous is small dogs that bark a lot (we seem to run into a lot of those when we cruise). 

 

Dianne

Horton is a wonderful worker and makes my life so much better.  I'm very grateful for his diligence to assist me every day.

[wizard-of-roz]

2 hours ago, rpclmc said:

Gosh, it has been almost a month since I checked out this thread.

 

Sounds like everyone is doing great.  I have booked two cruises so far for this year.  Carnival Inspiration on May 18 to celebrate my daughter and her boyfriend's 21st birthdays.  And Carnival Conquest B2B in September for the annual girl's cruise.

 

We went back to where I grew up in Illinois, University of Illinois for Christmas with my parents and 3 brothers.  Sad it will be my last Christmas with one of my brothers (unless there is a miracle).  He has terminal cancer and actually got hospice care Tuesday.  None of this is unexpected, just kind of sad.  We have been lucky to have him this year as we didn't think he would make it through last Christmas.  He had a totally new experimental treatment, that really helped with his pain and extending his time.  But the cancer is growing expentially now and there isn't anything more they can do for him except try to manage his pain.

 

OK, done sharing the sad.  Halo did great on the trip.  I asked him to show my brother some extra attention.  Halo is amazing.  He is not a very social dog to new people and really doesn't know my family well.  Halo sticks by mine or Rich's sides when we are there.  Every time my sick brother was around he would go to him and kiss his hands and just hang out around him.  That brother just loves dogs, but doesn't have one.

 

No big plans until we head back to Idaho the end of April.  Jeff Dunham tickets the last Saturday in April in Idaho and my daughter graduates from college on May 9th, then cruise on May 18th.  We might go to St. Augustine, Florida February or March.

 

I love catching up with everyone.  Sounds like everyone is keeping busy.

 

Linda and Halo

I'm so sorry Linda that your brother is facing some very tough times right now.  May his journey be as easy as it can be.  I hope that his struggles are not too difficult for him and that you can keep some positive memories of him in your heart and mind.

 

I'm very lucky to have a big family but, unfortunately, it also means that there are lots and lots of challenges that we have to face.

 

Take care of you and I hope that you get to share some good times with each other.

[wizard-of-roz]

3 hours ago, rangeley said:

 

Are you calling me old? Well I never...... 

 

I will have fun but will be wishing you were there with us. Oleander will be so lonely without his buddy. 

 

 

😘

[Caribbean Chris]

10 hours ago, DUTRAVEL said:

 

Its amazing how the organizations and instructors who train these dogs do such a good job of matching them to the appropriate roles. Henri is fantastic at what she does for me, but she would make a terrible hearing dog. She is not sensitive to noise and fireworks don't bother her in the least. The only thing that makes her nervous is small dogs that bark a lot (we seem to run into a lot of those when we cruise). 

 

Dianne

They definitely have different inclinations and skills. The former head trainer at Dogs for Better Lives used to say he looked for potential hearing dogs that demonstrated high energy and would jump up in the middle of the night to do a sound alert instead of rolling over and thinking maybe somebody else would get it.  It made me feel better because Raylene was a VERY high-energy girl when she was young. And she woke me up in the dark in our last cruise when my husband locked himself out of our stateroom yet again!

[Caribbean Chris]

9 hours ago, rangeley said:

I got the usda paperwork this afternoon so the dog is all set. There was a problem of submitting it to early. We had the date of the 9th which is when we were going to the Dominican. I guess it was more than 10 days out and thats why it was rejected. So she resubmitted on Tuesday and it went through. Because we submitted it twice, we had to pay another 40$. I was not happy about that but paid it and kept my mouth shut. 

GRRRR....

 

[Caribbean Chris]

Linda, I am sorry to know your brother is so ill. My brother died almost two years ago after struggling with prostate cancer and Parkinson’s for many years, due to Agent Orange exposure when he was a pilot in Vietnam. I’m grateful that he, too, had more years than he might have had, due to proton radiation treatments, and that we had some very good times together.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Caribbean Chris

[mmarq1992]

Hello All!

I'm hoping someone has some advice for me. We are visiting Antigua during a cruise this December and one of the requirements is that the rabies vaccine must have been administered within 1 year of importation. The issue with this is that Bentley received a 3 year rabies vaccine in February 2019, which obviously puts him over the one year mark. I really don't want to have to get him another rabies and over vaccinate. I tried emailing the Vet Division there, but have yet to get a reply. Has anyone had a similar experience or have advice?

 

Thanks!

[rangeley]

14 hours ago, rpclmc said:

Gosh, it has been almost a month since I checked out this thread.

 

Sounds like everyone is doing great.  I have booked two cruises so far for this year.  Carnival Inspiration on May 18 to celebrate my daughter and her boyfriend's 21st birthdays.  And Carnival Conquest B2B in September for the annual girl's cruise.

 

We went back to where I grew up in Illinois, University of Illinois for Christmas with my parents and 3 brothers.  Sad it will be my last Christmas with one of my brothers (unless there is a miracle).  He has terminal cancer and actually got hospice care Tuesday.  None of this is unexpected, just kind of sad.  We have been lucky to have him this year as we didn't think he would make it through last Christmas.  He had a totally new experimental treatment, that really helped with his pain and extending his time.  But the cancer is growing expentially now and there isn't anything more they can do for him except try to manage his pain.

 

OK, done sharing the sad.  Halo did great on the trip.  I asked him to show my brother some extra attention.  Halo is amazing.  He is not a very social dog to new people and really doesn't know my family well.  Halo sticks by mine or Rich's sides when we are there.  Every time my sick brother was around he would go to him and kiss his hands and just hang out around him.  That brother just loves dogs, but doesn't have one.

 

No big plans until we head back to Idaho the end of April.  Jeff Dunham tickets the last Saturday in April in Idaho and my daughter graduates from college on May 9th, then cruise on May 18th.  We might go to St. Augustine, Florida February or March.

 

I love catching up with everyone.  Sounds like everyone is keeping busy.

 

Linda and Halo

 

So sorry to hear about your brother. It's so hard on everyone to have to go through this. I hope things go as well as they can. ❤️

[rangeley]

1 hour ago, mmarq1992 said:

Hello All!

I'm hoping someone has some advice for me. We are visiting Antigua during a cruise this December and one of the requirements is that the rabies vaccine must have been administered within 1 year of importation. The issue with this is that Bentley received a 3 year rabies vaccine in February 2019, which obviously puts him over the one year mark. I really don't want to have to get him another rabies and over vaccinate. I tried emailing the Vet Division there, but have yet to get a reply. Has anyone had a similar experience or have advice?

 

Thanks!

 

We had this problem when we went to Mexico one time. I think I did not do the shot and they let us off anyway. One other year I think I did do it. Our vet says it's the same shot and would not to any harm. I wouldn't do it all the time, but I think once is ok. Talk to your vet. 

[rangeley]

We are ready to go and actually have an hour to relax before our ride gets here. 1am last night our buzzer rang. John was sleeping but I was still trying to fall asleep. I put the front door camera on and it was 2 cops. Obviously rang the wrong buzzer 😞  Put the scanner on and it was a medical issue with someone. Not even a person on our floor. Do they just ring random bells at 1am. So now its 230 and I'm still awake. But its ok I'll sleep sometime 😴

[DUTRAVEL]

17 hours ago, rpclmc said:

We went back to where I grew up in Illinois, University of Illinois for Christmas with my parents and 3 brothers.  Sad it will be my last Christmas with one of my brothers (unless there is a miracle).  He has terminal cancer and actually got hospice care Tuesday.  None of this is unexpected, just kind of sad.  We have been lucky to have him this year as we didn't think he would make it through last Christmas.  He had a totally new experimental treatment, that really helped with his pain and extending his time.  But the cancer is growing expentially now and there isn't anything more they can do for him except try to manage his pain.

Sorry to hear about your brother, it must be very difficult for your family. I am sure you are grateful for the time you were able to spend with him at Christmas.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

9 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

They definitely have different inclinations and skills. The former head trainer at Dogs for Better Lives used to say he looked for potential hearing dogs that demonstrated high energy and would jump up in the middle of the night to do a sound alert instead of rolling over and thinking maybe somebody else would get it.  It made me feel better because Raylene was a VERY high-energy girl when she was young. And she woke me up in the dark in our last cruise when my husband locked himself out of our stateroom yet again!

That's definitely Henri - she would be the one to roll over unless she heard the front door (in that case she would think someone is coming to visit her). 

[wizard-of-roz]

7 hours ago, rangeley said:

We are ready to go and actually have an hour to relax before our ride gets here. 1am last night our buzzer rang. John was sleeping but I was still trying to fall asleep. I put the front door camera on and it was 2 cops. Obviously rang the wrong buzzer 😞  Put the scanner on and it was a medical issue with someone. Not even a person on our floor. Do they just ring random bells at 1am. So now its 230 and I'm still awake. But its ok I'll sleep sometime 😴

You are going to be so glad to get on that ship......finally relax and get some much needed rest.  Have a wonderful time!

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy first weekend of 2020.  It's going to be a very interesting year.  Gotta hang in there just to see it all play out!

 

For everyone who's cruising soon BON~VOYAGE!

 

 

[rpclmc]

Thanks everyone about my brother.  It started as prostrate cancer, thought they had it and it just spread like wildfire.  Now in the bones and blood.  It is hard for the family.  I think it is hardest on his wife and him.  I just hope she can find peace and sleep and they can manage his pain in the last few days.  I have great memories of him.  I am so very thankful he was able to have the treatment that not only gave him a couple more years, but good years.  Since in that time his first grandchild was born and is now  1.5 years; so he was able to be a part of her life.  And one of his daughters got married and he was able to walk her down the aisle and celebrate with her.

 

My Halo would make a terrible hearing dog.  When there is a noise, IF he wakes up, he just rolls over.  I am even talking gun fire and fireworks right outside on our street - he didn't even respond.  We even had a cat fall off our roof and scratch and yell all the way down our wall.  The bedroom wall at 2 am, he lifted his head and went back to sleep.  

 

Linda and Halo

 

[wizard-of-roz]

13 minutes ago, rpclmc said:

Thanks everyone about my brother.  It started as prostrate cancer, thought they had it and it just spread like wildfire.  Now in the bones and blood.  It is hard for the family.  I think it is hardest on his wife and him.  I just hope she can find peace and sleep and they can manage his pain in the last few days.  I have great memories of him.  I am so very thankful he was able to have the treatment that not only gave him a couple more years, but good years.  Since in that time his first grandchild was born and is now  1.5 years; so he was able to be a part of her life.  And one of his daughters got married and he was able to walk her down the aisle and celebrate with her.

 

My Halo would make a terrible hearing dog.  When there is a noise, IF he wakes up, he just rolls over.  I am even talking gun fire and fireworks right outside on our street - he didn't even respond.  We even had a cat fall off our roof and scratch and yell all the way down our wall.  The bedroom wall at 2 am, he lifted his head and went back to sleep.  

 

Linda and Halo

 

Linda your memories and stories of your brother and how he is living his life brought tears to my eyes.  Thank you for sharing them with us.  When that most difficult day comes please don't hesitate to come to us, we'll ALL be here for you. 🌺

 

Horton definitely has many facets to his personality.   He's a BIG boy and would have made a great wheel chair puller but doesn't much like heavy duty work.  He's a bit of a "diva" and, although he's a genius at the work he graduated to do, he will stubbornly hold his ground when he's "done" and will let everyone know that he wants to take his nap! 

 

I, personally, am his one-woman cheer leading squad.  I adore this dog to the moon and back!!!!!

Edited January 4, 2020 by wizard-of-roz

[Plant]

1 hour ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Happy first weekend of 2020.  It's going to be a very interesting year.  Gotta hang in there just to see it all play out!

 

For everyone who's cruising soon BON~VOYAGE!

 

 

I'm not sure we need an "interesting" year ! 

[rangeley]

We're here!! Flight was great, Oakland was not. He was fine until we got on the plane. Then he was wierd for the entire flight. Either layed down with his head up or sat. It was really strange. He peed and pooped before we left and peed again at the airport. We fed him before we got on. I'm not sure if that screwed him up. He barely ate cookies and refused an ice cube. When we landed he was fine ☹️. They finally put a potty area inside security!!! And it wasn't a shower stall like in LA. He went in and peed. We was so happy. 

 

Forgot an important part. At the airport and at the hotel, they asked to see an Id for the dog. Jetblue said it was a new thing and said although the Id was good she said a letter from the organization would be better. 

Edited January 4, 2020 by rangeley

[wizard-of-roz]

2 hours ago, Plant said:

I'm not sure we need an "interesting" year ! 

Oh! Yah!  I forgot, it's already

57 minutes ago, rangeley said:

We're here!! Flight was great, Oakland was not. He was fine until we got on the plane. Then he was wierd for the entire flight. Either layed down with his head up or sat. It was really strange. He peed and pooped before we left and peed again at the airport. We fed him before we got on. I'm not sure if that screwed him up. He barely ate cookies and refused an ice cube. When we landed he was fine ☹️. They finally put a potty area inside security!!! And it wasn't a shower stall like in LA. He went in and peed. We was so happy. 

 

Forgot an important part. At the airport and at the hotel, they asked to see an Id for the dog. Jetblue said it was a new thing and said although the Id was good she said a letter from the organization would be better. 

What?  Now we need a letter from CCI.    Are you in trouble?  Do I need to come and bail you out? 

 

The dog's potty area looks really good! 

 

I'm so sorry Oleander had such a tough time on the plane.......we never know when they'll break into a "mood".  Hopefully, the rest of your trip will be filled with fun, relaxation and good food!

[rangeley]

2 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Oh! Yah!  I forgot, it's already

What?  Now we need a letter from CCI.    Are you in trouble?  Do I need to come and bail you out? 

 

The dog's potty area looks really good! 

 

I'm so sorry Oleander had such a tough time on the plane.......we never know when they'll break into a "mood".  Hopefully, the rest of your trip will be filled with fun, relaxation and good food!

 

I was thinking a letter really isn't fair to ask people for. Some have personal trainers or self train. Some don't even have an ID. We are lucky. 

[wizard-of-roz]

2 hours ago, Plant said:

I'm not sure we need an "interesting" year ! 

🤐  I promise to be a good girl!

[wizard-of-roz]

1 minute ago, rangeley said:

 

I was thinking a letter really isn't fair to ask people for. Some have personal trainers or self train. Some don't even have an ID. We are lucky. 

Oakland's behavior will be all they need to see.   I'm glad they're expecting to see something to prove he is a Service Dog.  Although, I don't like to see unwarranted pressure on Service Dog Handlers, I do like to see some sort of decorum expected.

[allies_daphne]

1 hour ago, rangeley said:

We're here!! Flight was great, Oakland was not. He was fine until we got on the plane. Then he was wierd for the entire flight. Either layed down with his head up or sat. It was really strange. He peed and pooped before we left and peed again at the airport. We fed him before we got on. I'm not sure if that screwed him up. He barely ate cookies and refused an ice cube. When we landed he was fine ☹️. They finally put a potty area inside security!!! And it wasn't a shower stall like in LA. He went in and peed. We was so happy. 

 

Forgot an important part. At the airport and at the hotel, they asked to see an Id for the dog. Jetblue said it was a new thing and said although the Id was good she said a letter from the organization would be better. 

Our SD Mickey was also weird on our last flight. He normally will lay at my daughters feet, and just re-situate now and then.  We had a rough landing on our outbound flight, and the gravity pulling him against the wall was a little unsettling.  On our return flight, he was fine when we boarded, but before we even took off, he was acting out of sorts, laying down, but staring at the wall and not easily distracted from that.  I thought maybe he was going to get sick. He never did, but he also never relaxed or settled in.  As soon as we got off the plane he was fine.  So, not sure if there was just something about the last fight, or if he know is a little leery because of that rough landing on the first flight. We shall see the next time we fly.....

[DUTRAVEL]

34 minutes ago, rangeley said:

 

I was thinking a letter really isn't fair to ask people for. Some have personal trainers or self train. Some don't even have an ID. We are lucky. 

I do have a letter from CCI that outlines the training Henri and I have had, but I only use it for international travel where they require dogs to be professionally trained (for example, Eurostar requires that your dog be trained by a member organization of Assistance Dogs International). I have not been asked to show any documentation traveling on domestic airlines. I was asked to sign a “pet release” last month at Harrah’s in Tahoe and I asked to speak with a supervisor. They did end up apologizing to me and agreed I was not required to sign the papers. 
 

When questioned, I always politely state that they are in violation (of whatever the applicable law is) and that I am only complying because they are insisting (for example, showing an ID) and that I will be following up with their corporate office when I return home. I have decided that I am no longer going to let things go because that just makes it harder for the next service dog team.