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

[wizard-of-roz]

Great pictures. I recognize one of those as my place of employment haha. Haikey, my husband's service dog, is a regular there. I have made a little "brag book" for my husband to carry along in his wheelchair. It shows Haikey doing some of his chores to help him out.

Since people are constantly stopping us while we are out and asking about just what he does, I have figured out it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. Saves a lot of time.

 

Hope This Works

 

http://s975.photobucket.com/albums/ae233/Trinap1204/Haikey%20Chores/

 

Thank you for the wonderful pictures and for sharing what your amazing dog does!

What a hard worker!!!

[dobiemom]

Roz, how did Brenda's "Cruising With a Service Dog" lecture go? How did she like Alaska? I just know everyone LOVED her and hopefully people are more enlightened about service dogs/animals because of her "talk." (BTW I'm still looking into the Carnival Splendor in January.)

[wizard-of-roz]

First: Miriam, congratulations on JJ; I wish you many years of good health and lots of smiles.

mered288: Welcome! Happy cruising with your SD. I know you will get lots of help from everyone here.

Nancy: I really feel your frustration. The Superintendent may ask what the dog does to mitigate the persons handicap. And, it is legal to ask to for a doctor's note.

We're used to the questions and, usually, have all the answers that an employer or anyone else may have. It naturally goes with the territory of going through life with one of these amazing animals.

Darcie: I'm so sorry about the pain that you felt from not only your fellow passengers, on your recent cruise but also from the staff.

On our last cruise there was a restaurant worker who kept making noises directed at Brenda for the first 3 days. Finally, [after I'd had enough] I put Brenda in a "down/stay", under a table, in the buffet area and I walked over to the "noisey" worker and asked him who his supervisor was. I approached the supervisor and told him about the inappropriate noises and from that moment on, it NEVER happened again!

Also, the questions on this cruise [to Alaska] were different than our other cruises with Brenda [12 of them], the people were much more inquisitive and wanted to stop me at every turn.

We could not do our prensentation.....there were so many port visits and the weather was so bad, at one point, that the ship's Captain had to make many warnings over the PA for people to stay in their cabins and "hold-on" to handrails, etc. The CD and I did not get a chance to meet. It seemed impossible to fit anything more into the ship's schedule.

It was disappointing but, we were stopped so many times.....much more than ever before on any previous cruises....that people were really informed and got all their questions answered everytime we were stopped.

These are the favorite questions....

1. How much did you pay to get your dog onboard?

2. Where does she go potty?

3. WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?

4. How do you get one of these dogs?

5. Can I touch her?

And, on and on!

We, too, sometimes hide in a lounge or in our cabin....when we've been overly innundated with questions and touching!

The public will NEVER get used to seeing a dog in a "human" environment!

Brenda has a huge decal on her vest that reads....."PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH - I'M WORKING!" First, people touch, then they read and then they touch again!!!!! Some folks will back off, read the sign out loud and, then ask me if they can pat her.

It's really important to get the "message" out to everyone that: NOT ALL DOGS ARE FOR THE BLIND!

We don't have to tell EVERYTHING we just need to let people know that Service Dogs come in all shapes/sizes/colors and can do a myraid of tasks.

[wizard-of-roz]

We drove to Seattle from Los Angeles, to cruise on the Golden Princess to Alaska, September 5th.

We left on September 2nd, giving me us 3 days on the road and plenty of time for breaks.

Brenda, "honkered" down, in the back seat and did really well on the road trip. She looks at me with those big brown eyes and I know she's saying, "what are we doing now?"

I got so much help from wonderful CC people. I got directions to Pier 91 and hints about places to eat along the way and help in getting from the Pier to Eugene, Oregon [to visit our children, after the cruise.]

Thank you to everyone who had input into the road trip, I could not have done it so easily without you all!

We drove on Interstate 5 [which has the best Rest Areas] and made it easy to stop; get some exercise; have a potty break and move on!

Tukwila, Washington was a huge delight. It's a really cute little town with the best shopping and eating areas we found along the route. We were warned that we wouldn't like staying there.....Wrong! It was fantastic. We stayed in one of the nicest Best Western's I've ever stayed in, we had no charge for parking and the surrounding area was very charming with a "free" full breakfast, the next day. It was a 20 minute drive to the dock and I would highly recommend this lovely little town and hotel.

We NEVER got lost; we were on time to everything....and, that always feels good when you're in a strange envrionment.

Seattle is a beautiful city.....we had left L.A. with the fires all around us and some very acrid air to breath. It felt good to breath in clean, cool air.

Pier 91 is awful. They're still working on it and the twists/turns and delays are frustrating. The workers and security are doing the very best they can with an overly used and underly equipped area for the use. It definitely felt like a "work in progress!"

Because of where Pier 91 is located, they can't blow the ship's whistle or have a "sailaway" party, with music, due to the noise it creates for the surrounding homes in the area.....a bit disappointing.

The Golden's improvement's and the addition of the Piazza area were lovely. There were violins and a celloist which gave the whole area a lovely feeling. We saw the best show's in this area. The Casino takes up most of the forward area of Deck 7. The biggest Casino I have ever seen on a cruise ship.

MUTS was a nice addition but not enjoyed too much, because of the weather.

This trip to the inside passage was so port intensive and had so many rough seas that I don't think the Shops or Casino saw much of the passengers or as much as they would have liked.

The food was excellent. The service was superior and the staff is some of the best on the high seas.

Alaska; what can one say about this state.....the awesome beauty of her majestic mountains and seas must be seen, at least once in a lifetime!

The naturalist onboard was the best. We couldn't wait to hear his stories and see his slides.

Brenda did so well, even with the rough seas, she was a trooper and showed her true colors of being a phenomenal traveler! Remember, she's 9 1/2 years old but acts and looks like a 3 year old.

Her potty box was perfectly placed and was available within 15 minutes of arrival to our cabin. It was in the stairwell on Emerald deck. This keeps us out of the weather and away from the crowds. It allows me to meet her needs with my PJ's on.

We had a huge problem with fellow passengers and some staff. This will NEVER change.....people are people. They will ALWAYS want to know more and will treat your dog as a "Star!" They will act like papparazzi; they will try and sneak a pat and some will ignore your needs.

You MUST travel with the expectation of this occurring and you must plan your "counter attack!"

I suggest that you move quickly, using your very best voice. You give your dog his/her commands with the expectation that there will be noise and crowds around you. If you need to move through the crowd, just keep going, don't be concerned with hurt feelings or running over toes!

I say; "excuse me, my dog needs to potty, I can not answer your questions now!"

At a good time.....I place myself and Brenda in a public sitting area and if I'm asked to pat her.....I allow the public time for questions and pats. When we've had enough, we move on!

Princess handles disembarkation so well.

Cruise with your dog.....enjoy yourself....I hope to get in many more cruises with Brenny and PaPa! :)

[rangeley]

Welcome Back Roz!!!!!! :D

Welcome Back Darcie!!! :D

 

Glad you are both back. That being said... I'm really thrilled we decided to do a cruise with Wexler after hearing your stories of horror! Makes me think twice about it now. Of course I have written to every island and have heard nothing back. :mad: Not thrilled about that.

 

We had an incident the other day, Wexler pulled John out of the chair. He is very distracted and spooked by things. I don't think he has been around a city at all and the noises that come with living here. John is communicating with one of the trainers about it now. We have been experimenting with different collars and leashes. When we go for a walk we use a 6' and just a regular collar. He might have to keep the prong collar and the freedom leash on more often to have better control. We might go to a workshop in October so John and the trainer can work on Wexys spooking.

 

I'm glad everyone had a great trip. I would love to go to Alaska but I'm not much of a flyer so the ride is alittle to long for me. And being in Boston there isn't much of a chance of us driving to Seattle. But I can dream!! :p

 

Cindy

[sunshine426]

Welcome Back Roz!!!!!! :D

Welcome Back Darcie!!! :D

 

Glad you are both back. That being said... I'm really thrilled we decided to do a cruise with Wexler after hearing your stories of horror! Makes me think twice about it now. Of course I have written to every island and have heard nothing back. :mad: Not thrilled about that.

 

We had an incident the other day, Wexler pulled John out of the chair. He is very distracted and spooked by things. I don't think he has been around a city at all and the noises that come with living here. John is communicating with one of the trainers about it now. We have been experimenting with different collars and leashes. When we go for a walk we use a 6' and just a regular collar. He might have to keep the prong collar and the freedom leash on more often to have better control. We might go to a workshop in October so John and the trainer can work on Wexys spooking.

 

I'm glad everyone had a great trip. I would love to go to Alaska but I'm not much of a flyer so the ride is alittle to long for me. And being in Boston there isn't much of a chance of us driving to Seattle. But I can dream!! :p

 

Cindy

 

I use an easy walk harness with my own dogs and the SD's(intraining). It is made by gentle leader, but the harness goes across the chest with the ring in the center of the chest. This eliminated forging with my own dog, who had no sucess with a regular collor or a prong collor. Some dogs do well with the gentle leader(head harness), it is great for control but my dog hates it.

[wizard-of-roz]

Welcome Back Roz!!!!!! :D

Welcome Back Darcie!!! :D

 

Glad you are both back. That being said... I'm really thrilled we decided to do a cruise with Wexler after hearing your stories of horror! Makes me think twice about it now. Of course I have written to every island and have heard nothing back. :mad: Not thrilled about that.

 

We had an incident the other day, Wexler pulled John out of the chair. He is very distracted and spooked by things. I don't think he has been around a city at all and the noises that come with living here. John is communicating with one of the trainers about it now. We have been experimenting with different collars and leashes. When we go for a walk we use a 6' and just a regular collar. He might have to keep the prong collar and the freedom leash on more often to have better control. We might go to a workshop in October so John and the trainer can work on Wexys spooking.

 

I'm glad everyone had a great trip. I would love to go to Alaska but I'm not much of a flyer so the ride is alittle to long for me. And being in Boston there isn't much of a chance of us driving to Seattle. But I can dream!! :p

 

Cindy

 

Cindy: Please don't be discouraged by negative stuff that we talk about. Everyone's experiences will be different. I was very reluctant to take Brenda onboard, 12 cruises ago.....Now, I couldn't cruise without her and I don't want to!!!!

If you have any doubt's about what is required by a specific island you'll be visiting call the Passenger Access Department. They'll get the information you need. I contacted: Princess Access Care: 661.284.4521.....I also asked my Vet. and he had all the information for all foreign countries and what they required for traveling to them.

It's a simple process if you're prepared. Remember to check with the cruiseline and make sure that the pottybox will be set-up prior to your entering the ship [Or, have your TA do this for you.] And, check with the Purser's desk the minute you board.

OMG, what is Wexler thinking!!! I hope John didn't get hurt when he was pulled. Brenda is a horrible forager and a puller on the leash. I swear, if I were a smaller woman or a child, she could pull me over!!! I've learned to really give her an extra strong "correction" on the leash when she starts doing this. We were told to turn her around [facing the other direction, make her walk a few steps and then attempt the walk again.] Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't [and, I don't always have the time!]

Brenda is the only dog in her class to literally scratch the gentle leader off her head. She won't wear it. We tried the Cesar Milan collar and it worked, for a while! She's very stubborn. I can't let Morey walk her because she pulls on the leash too much and he's not real steady on his feet! As she's aging it's definitely getting better and doesn't pull to the point of causing me pain in my shoulder anymore.....

Some dogs have this instinctual drive to forage and lead.....and, then I've seen some who are so lazy and could care less about leaving that "invisible box" beside their handler. I don't know why some are "leash tuggers" and some are not.......I do know that my sister's dog literally jumps 10 feet in the air when she sees a squirrel or a cat and Brenda will just sit and watch the whole thing like a geniously trained working dog! My family thinks she made of gold and so does most of the public, I go in to.

That said; Wexler can't be pulling John to the point of injuring him.......he's a smart boy and he wants to please you both.....it will just take some time. What did John do when this happened?

We also go to a workshop in October, at CCI in Santa Rosa. There's always something new to learn and I love just being around all the amazing dogs.

[Quampapetet]

I guess I need to get more assertive but I had any type of confrontation. I try to keep a smile on my face and 'put up with it - on the outside"

 

When enough is enough, you'll learn to get more assertive. It happens to all of us. ;)

 

I did ask them to move her relief box when the storm made it impossible to go out on that deck (they actually locked the doors so we had no access to it).

 

Yeah, they don't want anybody swept off into the sea during the storms! I guess they forgot your box was out there, they prob'ly had to hurry and do all the door locking/getting ppl inside. I'm glad they sent somebody out to get it, though.

 

It wasn't just the server that barked at her, it happened twice in ports and numerous times on the ship - what is with that??

I did hear the head waiter tell the server not to do that, but he did it again other nights.

 

I've had a couple ppl bark at my dog on various occassions. Some ppl are just not that brilliant, I guess! :p

 

That's too bad the guy didn't listen to his supervisor. I hope he got in trouble for it!

 

Bailey does have a red vest and it says medical alert dog working, please do not distract. One guy said he thought it said 'medical alert dog - needs work!"

 

Hey, in this economy.... ;):D That is so funny that somebody thought it said that, though!!! Wow, you wonder how some ppl get their pants on each morning....

[Quampapetet]

We could not do our prensentation.....there were so many port visits and the weather was so bad, at one point, that the ship's Captain had to make many warnings over the PA for people to stay in their cabins and "hold-on" to handrails, etc. The CD and I did not get a chance to meet. It seemed impossible to fit anything more into the ship's schedule.

 

 

 

Yikes! Another cruiser on this thread with bad weather! :( I hope nobody got hurt like on the other poster's cruise where ppl broke bones and somebody had to leave the ship. If my cruise got weather that bad, I don't think I could leave my room!

[Quampapetet]

Glad you are both back. That being said... I'm really thrilled we decided to do a cruise with Wexler after hearing your stories of horror! Makes me think twice about it now. Of course I have written to every island and have heard nothing back. :mad: Not thrilled about that.

 

But just think about how many GOOD stories of cruises there are on this thread!! :D Don't think twice about the cruise - just go for it!

 

Yeah, you're not likely to get an e-mail back from the islands. You have to call them on the phone (look up the U.S. Consulate or Tourism Office - those will not be int'l calls). Or you can call or e-mail the USDA (or whichever gov't office it is) to see if they have the info. you need.

[rangeley]

Quam, Thanks for the info.

[S.S. Cruisers]

Mornin' all;

Roz: I'm so sorry you and Brenny didn't get to strut your stuff, but it sounds like you got a little bit of knowledge out there. Sorry about the bad weather. We have only been on one cruise where it was "bad". Dishes did slide off some tables. I wasn't scared on that one, but have been scared on others, go figure.

Cindy: I hope John is okay. Poor Wexy probably felt so bad for hurting Papa. I hope everything gets tuned up and all is good. Our Reno was a puller with a collar, to the tune that he actually sprained his neck one time! That's when the vet said "No, collars, harness only." He didn't pull a bit from then on. I was afraid I wouldn't have as much control over him, as when he got his mind set, he went with it. Anyway, after he passed I gave all of his stuff to his cousin, a Chocolate lab. Now he is also a puller. My sister said she couldn't believe it that the harness would make such a difference, but he also stop pulling. Now walks are a pleasure again. So that is my pitch on harness vs. collars. Jezzy Lou even has her little lavendar one! What a hoot to see that little turd on a harness and leash. She thinks she is somebody! :D

I still am having family issues. I keep thinking, "What next." I am trying to be positive and keep my chin up, but some days it just isn't possible. I do get on here everyday and at least read the thread, so I can keep up. Of course by the time I post, my pea brain can't quite remember all of it.

Everyone have a great weekend.

Nancy

[uppitycats]

I don't have a service dog so don't have to spend time trying to protect it from the public..

 

but I assure you that doesn't stop the "harassment" from unthinking insensitive people, about "what's wrong with you?", "why are you in that chair??", "can't you move that scooter more quickly, you're in the way!"..

 

and people flowing around me like I'm invisible, on their way to the elevator, even though I've waited for several that have filled with folks, and no room for me in a scooter,

 

or people dropping food on my head as they reach over me in a buffet,

 

or people sitting on my lap because they back up and fall over the chair, and so on. It does get really old, and I'm sure folks think I'm a grouch sometimes, when I've been asked the same dumb question a hundred times that day and just don't want to answer anymore.

 

I guess that if we want to be out and about, we have to learn to develop tough skins, and either put up with, or ignore the boors out there.

[sunshine426]

Mornin' all;

 

Roz: I'm so sorry you and Brenny didn't get to strut your stuff, but it sounds like you got a little bit of knowledge out there. Sorry about the bad weather. We have only been on one cruise where it was "bad". Dishes did slide off some tables. I wasn't scared on that one, but have been scared on others, go figure.

 

Cindy: I hope John is okay. Poor Wexy probably felt so bad for hurting Papa. I hope everything gets tuned up and all is good. Our Reno was a puller with a collar, to the tune that he actually sprained his neck one time! That's when the vet said "No, collars, harness only." He didn't pull a bit from then on. I was afraid I wouldn't have as much control over him, as when he got his mind set, he went with it. Anyway, after he passed I gave all of his stuff to his cousin, a Chocolate lab. Now he is also a puller. My sister said she couldn't believe it that the harness would make such a difference, but he also stop pulling. Now walks are a pleasure again. So that is my pitch on harness vs. collars. Jezzy Lou even has her little lavendar one! What a hoot to see that little turd on a harness and leash. She thinks she is somebody! :D

 

I still am having family issues. I keep thinking, "What next." I am trying to be positive and keep my chin up, but some days it just isn't possible. I do get on here everyday and at least read the thread, so I can keep up. Of course by the time I post, my pea brain can't quite remember all of it.

 

Everyone have a great weekend.

 

Nancy

 

Another vote for the harness. I swear it makes an unbelievable difference.

[Quampapetet]

Just wanted to say that yesterday in the mail I got my import permits for the Bahamas. It took about two months or less this time - not too bad! And the request for two permits in one envelope didn't confuse them either! :)

 

Unlike last year, there is no page to fill out for the microchip number. I'm not sure why they tried that for a short time and stopped it, but oh well - one less page to deal with! My dog's microchip number is always written in on her health certificate anyway.

[rangeley]

Just wanted to say that yesterday in the mail I got my import permits for the Bahamas. It took about two months or less this time - not too bad! And the request for two permits in one envelope didn't confuse them either! :)

 

Unlike last year, there is no page to fill out for the microchip number. I'm not sure why they tried that for a short time and stopped it, but oh well - one less page to deal with! My dog's microchip number is always written in on her health certificate anyway.

 

 

Quam, I guess I'll have to get moving on the Bahamas thing this week. We are going to a private island so I'm not even sure if there is someone there to check on the dogs papers. Wexler does not have a microchip so I'm glad they don't require it anymore. I guess there are alot of different chips and unless you have a scanner for each kind it doesn't work. Maybe thats why they did away with it. CCI doesn't chip their dogs, I think there is some controversy on chipping dogs. I heard the chip can move around and cause problems. He does have a tatoo in his ear though. I was also wondering if you sent any money for the permit. I thought service dogs was free.

 

Cindy

[Quampapetet]

Microchips are safe. They've been used for many years in large and small animals (horses, dogs, etc.). On a rare occassion they can migrate to a different spot before the body holds it in place (builds tissue around it or whatever), but there is nothing dangerous about that.

 

Import permits for the Bahamas are indeed free for service dogs. Just be sure to write on the page that your dog is your service dog somewhere they will notice so they know why there is no fee sent with the application. (I usually write "SERVICE DOG - NO FEE" on the top of the application.) Your permit will state "SERVICE DOG" on it as well so that whoever looks at the paperwork knows.

 

You may or may not have somebody look at the paperwork, but of course you'll want to get it just in case so you won't have to stay on the ship if they do know what paperwork you're s'posed to have. (The ship gives the dog paperwork to customs when customs works on clearing the ship at each port - you won't have to give it to anybody yourself.) Arriving by plane in the Bahamas they don't always check it coming or going, but sometimes they do - and for land vacations I have to do the vet check thing and she always needs the proper paperwork, of course, though it is very simple and easy.

[DisneyKidsDad]

We might go to a workshop in October so John and the trainer can work on Wexys spooking.

 

Cindy

 

Cindy,

 

Looks like we may just see you guys at the October workshop. We just faxed over our RSVP. Unless something major comes up, we'll be there.

[denversees4me]

Hi Guys

I was just reading about the post for bahamas and we r going at the end of oct on a disney cruise here is what my permit states i need for my dog and asks for

 

a microchip

a health cert

current on vaccines

and a negative fecal

i sailed this same cruise last year and had all of these and it was required. there was also a different form other than the permit it says you need to have your vet fill out ( besides the health cert ) it is whatever the form for the permit is example I110a but it asks for I11B too ( not those numbers but your get what i mean )

i would rather be safe and follow everythig vs almost everything and risk getting my dog snagged from me in a country with no REAL rules to protect us .... i leave him on the ship in Nassau just a personal prefrence though .

 

 

Also i am in contact with a guy who sells used fake grass and if anyone is interested i can get a fairly good deal on a 4x4 piece for cruises i told him i wanted to send a sample to all the lines and send them info so maybe one day we could have it as an option on all ships .

 

I will let you know what he says

Cari and Denver

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi Guys

I was just reading about the post for bahamas and we r going at the end of oct on a disney cruise here is what my permit states i need for my dog and asks for

 

a microchip

a health cert

current on vaccines

and a negative fecal

i sailed this same cruise last year and had all of these and it was required. there was also a different form other than the permit it says you need to have your vet fill out ( besides the health cert ) it is whatever the form for the permit is example I110a but it asks for I11B too ( not those numbers but your get what i mean )

i would rather be safe and follow everythig vs almost everything and risk getting my dog snagged from me in a country with no REAL rules to protect us .... i leave him on the ship in Nassau just a personal prefrence though .

 

 

Also i am in contact with a guy who sells used fake grass and if anyone is interested i can get a fairly good deal on a 4x4 piece for cruises i told him i wanted to send a sample to all the lines and send them info so maybe one day we could have it as an option on all ships .

 

I will let you know what he says

Cari and Denver

 

Thanks Cari, I'd love to hear more about the grass....we're going to bring a rolled-up bit with us in January. If you can get a deal....count me in and let me know more about it.

I don't see the ships carrying it, because of the sanitation problems. They'd have to dissinfect it after each use [and, there are no real guidelines for doing this from the FDA or any other agencies!] I know that most Service Dogs are very well maintained, however, what if a dog used the grass and he had worms or another bacterial infection and the grass wasn't dissinfected properly? No thanks.....I'll bring my own!!!!!

I know Brenda goes potty in "rest areas" all over the U.S. but, these areas are out in the open air and most bacterias and viruses don't breed well in the open air. I'm just going to go on the "safe side" and hope that until there's a proper way to dissinfect and store this artificial turf.....I'd rather the ships don't use it! ;)

Thanks for the information for Bahamas.....when are you going?

[Quampapetet]

Hi Guys

I was just reading about the post for bahamas and we r going at the end of oct on a disney cruise here is what my permit states i need for my dog and asks for

 

a microchip

 

A microchip is not required. It was for a short time (maybe you have a permit from that time), as the one I got last fall for this past January had the microchip requirement page (a separate page for your vet to fill out and sign), but the years before that it hadn't been required/part of the permit and it is not required/part of the permit I just got last week for my December/January and February trips.

 

However, I do strongly recommend every dog owner (service dog and pet) to microchip their dogs. It is cheap and lasts the lifetime of the dog and is worth it. Some countries and Hawaii do require a microchip, so it is best to get one when the dog is young so that if you decide to go to one of those countries, you won't have to give an additional rabies vaccine (since the one before the microchip does not count for some countries) that could harm your dog. Not to mention if your dog should get lost or stolen (but hopefully not!)....

 

a health cert

current on vaccines

and a negative fecal

 

In particular: the health certificate needs to be within forty-eight hours of importation (but it does not have to be USDA endorsed, unless you are going to another country that needs that of course).

 

Bring your rabies certificate (even though this will be noted on the health certificate). For the one-year vaccine, it has to be no more than ten months since it was given. For the three-year, it has to be no more than thirty-four months since it was given. For both, it has to be more than one month since it was given.

 

The dog must have adequate immunity from: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Adenovirus, and Coronavirus. Be aware that not all these vaccines are part of the regular routine your vet may give, so check your dog's records on which ones he has had to see if he needs any additional ones. The Lepto vaccine only lasts one year, so should be given every year that you go to the Bahamas (for me, this is every year, so I give it every year); the others you can titer against as they last longer.

 

You can do a fecal float from your vet or via an at-home test kit (where you send the crap in the mail, LOL, to a lab) that you can get via Petco.com. (The latter is a good idea if you didn't get it done at your dog's annual app't, then you won't be paying the walk-into-the-exam-room fee as well as the testing fee and biohazard fee and whatever else they love to charge you. If your vet sends everything out instead of testing it in-house, you can't do this test the day before you leave.)

 

i sailed this same cruise last year and had all of these and it was required. there was also a different form other than the permit it says you need to have your vet fill out ( besides the health cert ) it is whatever the form for the permit is example I110a but it asks for I11B too ( not those numbers but your get what i mean )

 

You mean IMP/1 (A) and IMP/1 (B). Like I said above, form B was only send for a short time. That's the microchip form. I'm not sure why they included it when they did, but it doesn't give any additional info. than the health certificate does.

 

i would rather be safe and follow everythig vs almost everything and risk getting my dog snagged from me in a country with no REAL rules to protect us .... i leave him on the ship in Nassau just a personal prefrence though .

 

Yes, follow the rules, but the Bahamas is relaxed; they are not going to take your dog from you. If they find that something isn't right, they'd just not allow him off the ship. But since you're not even seeing the vet since you're on a cruise, I doubt your paperwork will be looked over all that well. At the airport, they sometimes ask for it and sometimes don't. When they do, they may not know what they are actually looking for; it is the vet who looks at everything to make sure it is all good. And the vets are very nice. :)

 

Your dog is fine in Nassau, so go ahead and get off the ship with him. While access isn't a law in the Bahamas, I've never been denied access. A couple times I've been questioned, but if you explain what a service dog is (most ppl have seen them in American movies/TV, especially guide dogs), you shouldn't have an issue.

 

 

Also i am in contact with a guy who sells used fake grass and if anyone is interested i can get a fairly good deal on a 4x4 piece for cruises i told him i wanted to send a sample to all the lines and send them info so maybe one day we could have it as an option on all ships .

 

I will let you know what he says

Cari and Denver

 

Does he have any non-used grass? What is the grass like? Really fake-like or is it the realistic stuff? I found a Web site that sells realistic grass that is antibacterial-coated for dog use and the price isn't bad per square foot. (They have many different types of faux realistic grass and only some are antibacterial for dogs, but those that are look good.)

[S.S. Cruisers]

HELLO, Hello, Hello, do I hear an echo in here. I hope everyone is having a good time at being busy and not anything bad. It seems the tides are flowing against us.

Nancy

[flsunnymommy]

I just ordered a free sample of "grass" (I forget where from) and it just looks like plastic rug. No idea how you would ever clean stuff off of it. I spoke to a service dog supply company in Canada and they are trying to get pup heads on the cruise lines.

[wizard-of-roz]

 

However, I do strongly recommend every dog owner (service dog and pet) to microchip their dogs. It is cheap and lasts the lifetime of the dog and is worth it. Some countries and Hawaii do require a microchip, so it is best to get one when the dog is young so that if you decide to go to one of those countries, you won't have to give an additional rabies vaccine (since the one before the microchip does not count for some countries) that could harm your dog. Not to mention if your dog should get lost or stolen (but hopefully not!)....

 

I will NOT microchip Brenda. She's almost 10, has a tattoo in her ear [done by CCI], always wears her collar with all information on it. I keep extra information in the glove compartment of my car [forms are gotten from IAADP] and in my refrigerator, at home. I have a sticker on my window [car and home] alerting the public and medical service people that I have an SD and her information is in the fridge. They're great for letting the public know that she's a Service Dog and to treat her differently than a pet!

The dog must have adequate immunity from: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Adenovirus, and Coronavirus. Be aware that not all these vaccines are part of the regular routine your vet may give, so check your dog's records on which ones he has had to see if he needs any additional ones. The Lepto vaccine only lasts one year, so should be given every year that you go to the Bahamas (for me, this is every year, so I give it every year); the others you can titer against as they last longer.

 

Be very careful with immunizations/vaccines on a "senior dog", they will ALWAYS need Rabi's Vaccine but some of the other's are no longer necessary and, sometimes can be too much for their systems to absorb. Always ask your Vet and make sure the person doing the innoculations knows the age of your dog.

 

Yes, follow the rules when traveling with your Service Dogs!!!! :)

 

Does he have any non-used grass? What is the grass like? Really fake-like or is it the realistic stuff? I found a Web site that sells realistic grass that is antibacterial-coated for dog use and the price isn't bad per square foot. (They have many different types of faux realistic grass and only some are antibacterial for dogs, but those that are look good.)

 

I am also looking for some grass to "roll-up" and take with us [and, then leave behind when we cruise.] The stuff we're using on our patio, now, is very expensive [it's been there for over a year and a half and looks like new and cleans so easily-I bought it from "In the Company of Dogs..online] I wouldn't buy it for this use.

 

Anyone have a good connection for the right stuff.....not "astroturf", [this would never clean-up easily] but the faux grass that has been antibacterial treated and is reasonably priced would be perfect?

[wizard-of-roz]

I just ordered a free sample of "grass" (I forget where from) and it just looks like plastic rug. No idea how you would ever clean stuff off of it. I spoke to a service dog supply company in Canada and they are trying to get pup heads on the cruise lines.

 

You can't clean it well. It's not the right stuff. The right stuff is amazing [each grass is pliable; looks real; is soft to the touch and cleans so easily.] I've been using it for my 70lb Lab, in a 4x5 box, on our patio, for almost 2 years. It's wonderful. I bought it from "In the Company of Dogs" website. It's pricey and I wouldn't want to roll it up and take it onboard, [only to throw it away] when we cruise.

I want to be able to bring a 4x4 piece of bacterially treated, artifical turf and leave it behind after each cruise. After we're done, the crew can roll it up with the plastic liner, they provide and we're done!