Pet Friendly (17 page)

CHAPTER 27

O
utside the humane society, the truck screeched to a halt. As Todd struggled out of his seat, Emma jumped down and ran for the door. She grabbed the handle and pulled.

“It's locked!”

“It can't be,” he said. “It's only four fifty-eight.”

Todd tried the handle of the glass door, sending the bell on the other side clanging. He banged on the door with his fist.

“Open up! I'm here to get my dog!”

Emma ran back to the truck and laid on the horn.

“Come on!” Todd yelled. “Open up the damned door!”

A woman appeared behind the counter and hurried over.

“Hold on to your britches,” she said, turning the lock. “What's this all about? We're closed.”

The cast on Todd's leg was ungainly. As the door swung open he teetered, nearly losing his balance.

“You've got my dog,” he said. “My mother got a call. I'm here to get him.”

“Are you Archie's owner?”

“Yes, yes,” Todd said, looking around. “Where is he?”

“Oh, dear,” the woman said, glancing behind her. “I think they just put him down.”

“Last one,” Vic said as he reached into Archie's cage. “Come on, fella.”

The vet glanced up at the clock. It had been a long day at the clinic. He was tired and ready to go home; he wasn't going to quibble over forty-five seconds. He picked up the syringe.

“Let's get this over with.”

Vic laid Archie on his side and stroked him gently. It was too bad the little guy's owner hadn't shown up, he thought. Jody would be upset. People did that sometimes, said they were coming and then didn't bother. He wished they wouldn't do that.

The vet paused. “Do you hear something?”

They heard the sound of rushing footsteps and the door burst open.

“Stop!” Jody yelled. “Don't do it!”

A man with a cast on his leg hobbled into the room. He had one arm in a sling and the other around the neck of a petite brunette. His face was bruised and his head bandaged. Vic thought the guy looked like he'd been in a car wreck.

“Archie,” the man sobbed. “You're alive!”

Vic released him and the little dog struggled to his feet.

Archie jumped into Emma's arms and she and Todd laughed as he licked their faces, his whole body wiggling with joy. Todd steadied himself against the table and carefully wrapped his arms around them both. This was what life was all about: love and family; someone to protect; someone to cherish and care for. He closed his eyes and a tear ran down his cheek. For the first time since his father had died, Todd felt whole.

“Let's get you out of here,” he said. “You're coming home with us.” He glanced at Emma. “
Both
of us.”

EPILOGUE

A
rchie stood in the bathtub and tried not to shiver as he waited for Todd's mother to return with a towel. The bathwater tickled as it ran down behind his ears and along his back, but he resisted the urge to shake it off—a good dog didn't shake himself inside the house. When Fran returned, she rubbed him down with a towel, then placed him on the counter and used a hair dryer to finish the job. It was good to be dry and warm again. Archie wagged his tail to show his appreciation.

There was a box on the counter. Fran opened it and took out a small bundle wrapped in tissue paper. Inside it was a tiny black jacket with a built-in dress shirt and cummerbund.

“I found this when I was going through Bertie's things.”

Excitement shot through him as she took Archie's front paws one at a time and pushed them through the sleeves. Fran clipped a bow tie to his collar and smoothed the fur back from his eyes.

“There, now,” she said, setting him down on the floor. “You look like a proper gentlemen.”

She took out her lipstick and drew a line of red across her mouth.

“Come along, we mustn't be late. Those two have waited long enough for this day.”

Archie followed her to the front door and watched her pin her hat in place. Fran set her hand on the doorknob and gave him a stern look.

“Now, don't forget,” she said. “You're not the star of this show. I expect you to behave.”

 

Todd checked his watch. “What's taking so long? Ma said they'd be here by now.”

“Don't fret,
deartháir,
” Claire said, fussing with the nosegay on his lapel. “No one likes an impatient bridegroom.”

He frowned and fussed with his tie. Claire had been on her best behavior for months. The suspense was killing him.

“Go on,” he said. “Say it. I know you want to.”

His sister's face was all innocence. “Say what?”

“Why ever would I do that?” She laughed. “You've already said it for me.”

 

Emma stood in front of the mirror, smiling at her reflection. The simple linen shift had been her grandmother's; a wedding dress made for a war bride, given to her by the friend who promised to pass it along when the day came. Now it had been cleaned and altered to fit her. It was perfect.

“It's beautiful,” she said. “Thank you.”

Dee sat behind her, one hand on the cane that was now her constant companion.

“
You're
beautiful,” she said. “A beautiful bride.”

Emma swallowed the lump in her throat. With Gran and her mother both gone, she thought she'd have no one—no woman—to help her prepare for her wedding day. But when she told Dee she was getting married, she came at once. That she had brought Gran's wedding dress with her made Emma feel twice blessed.

Dee picked up the garland of wildflowers and set it on Emma's head, then handed her the bouquet.

“I think it's time now, don't you?”

 

Emma took Jake's arm and he walked her down the aisle, past the folding chairs they'd set up in the lobby. Todd stood with the minister by the front desk, beaming as his bride approached. Jake gave him a stern look before releasing Emma's hand and taking his seat.

Archie was the ring bearer and he took his job seriously. In his pint-sized tux, and with a satin pillow strapped to his back, he waited until the rings were requested, then stepped forward and patiently waited while they were untied. When that was done, he sat back and watched as his two favorite people exchanged vows in front of God and their witnesses.

And when at last the minister pronounced Todd and Emma man and wife, Archie kissed the bride.

 

You've been dreaming about it for years, and it's finally happened.... For the first time in your life, you have your very own dog! Of course, he's perfect in every way. You've already taught him some basic commands, and now you're ready to strike out on your first big adventure together. You can almost see the miles of open road, feel the wind in your hair, and imagine all the new scents along the way. It's going to be perfect, but first you'll have to do a little preparation to be sure your first dog-friendly vacation comes off without a hitch!

A road trip is the best kind of vacation with your dog. It allows you to set your own pace and decide moment by moment what sounds like fun. Laying out your route and locating accommodations and activities along the way is easy when you use a pet-friendly road-trip planner, but there are a few other things you'll need to think about before you take off!

 

 

 

In addition to making sure your car is tuned up for your trip, you'll need to get it “pet ready” before you hit the road.

Making sure you come home together safely is the most important part of any trip, so be sure you have a way of securing your pet while you are traveling.

Crates, carriers, or car harnesses will prevent your dog from making an unannounced visit to check the view from your lap while you're driving and will protect him from injury in case of an accident. Also remember to deactivate the airbag for any seat your pet will be occupying.

 

 

Call your vet to confirm that your dog's vaccinations are up to date, and discuss any possible health concerns that might exist where you will be traveling. Also ask about possible remedies for car sickness, diarrhea, and restlessness—just in case!

Finally, consider having your pet microchipped and keep your contact information up to date with the company that registers the chip. It would be a nightmare, but pets do become separated from their people while traveling. Shelters, animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, and humane societies have scanners that read the chips so they can quickly notify you of your pet's recovery.

 

 

You can avoid embarrassing and potentially dangerous situations by teaching your dog reliable come, heel, quiet, and settle commands. Practice is the key. Before you set out, test your progress somewhere with a lot of distractions, like an outdoor café or a dog park.

 

 

Dogs need a lot of stuff when they are on vacation! Here's a checklist of things you'll want to take along:

All this preparation takes some time, but it's the secret to making sure your trip is enjoyable for everyone. With the groundwork done, it's time to decide where you'll go and what you'll see!

 

 

 

Start poking around and you'll find that there are thousands of places that would be fun to visit with your dog. From hiking in the mountains to romping on the beach, the possibilities are almost endless! It's tempting to jam-pack your itinerary with all of the pet-friendly locations you'll find along the way, but remember to leave time to stop and sniff the roses.

To a dog, nothing is more important than thoroughly sniffing the tree before him. Rushing him on to the next tree, and the one after that, before he's finished with the first is just plain frustrating. When you're traveling with your pet, plan to take your time. Trade in your scurry for a mosey, and really experience the places you go rather than just checking them off a list.

 

 

 

Reserving a pet-friendly hotel can be a tricky proposition. While more and more locations welcome pets, the degree of enthusiasm with which your dog will be received ranges from “barely pet tolerant” to “over-the-top accommodating.” Ask these questions, and you'll have all the information you need to find the perfect place to stay:

 

Does the hotel accept pets?
Hotel pet polices change often, so it's a good idea to verify that the property you're considering is still welcoming pets.

Are there any weight or breed restrictions?
It's common for hotels to impose weight restrictions—but if you've found a hotel that's perfect in every way, except that your pup is a little too big, ask if they'll make an exception! Most hotels have a little wiggle room in their size limitations and will try to accommodate you when asked.

How many pets are allowed per room?
When you travel with multiple pets, it's important to ask if you'll all be allowed to stay in the same room together.

Will you be charged additional pet fees?
This is where a hotel's true pet-friendly colors will show. There are some hotel chains where pets stay free, while others heap on pet fees that can add up to more than the nightly room rate! Be sure you have a clear understanding of the charges before making your reservation. Determine whether the fee is per night or for the entire stay, whether it's charged per pet or is a fixed rate regardless of the number of pets, and whether any portion of the fee is refundable if the room isn't damaged during your stay.

Are pet travelers limited to specific pet-friendly rooms?
Everyone has their preferences . . . proximity to the elevator, stairwell, ice machine, and high floors versus low floors. It's good to know up front if the hotel will accommodate your requests.

What amenities does the hotel offer?
The most important amenity is always a convenient, grassy pet relief area, but some hotels also provide treats at check-in, pet beds and bowls in the room, doggy room service menus, spa treatments, and pet-sitting services. Some hotels have restaurants with pet-friendly patios, and some even host a “yappy hour” in the lobby each evening! Deciding how much to pamper your pooch is up to you.

May pets be left unattended in the room?
Determining whether the hotel allows you to leave your pet alone in the room while you step out for something to eat or to run an errand helps you plan appropriately. Hotels are primarily concerned with two things when dogs are left unattended: damage to the room and barking that disturbs other guests. To alleviate those concerns, the hotel may require that pets be crated when you're away, and following our tips for a quiet stay will help ease any worries with barking.

Are some areas of the hotel off-limits to pets?
Pets are generally not allowed in breakfast areas, restaurants, pools, and fitness rooms, so ask to be sure you can live with the restrictions.

Is the hotel haunted?
It's best to know up front if there's a chance you and your dog will be sharing your room with a ghost. If in fact you find yourselves lodging with Casper the Friendly Poltergeist, ask for another room.

 

 

 

Maintaining your dog's feeding and exercise schedule as much as possible during your trip will reduce any anxiety he may feel about being away from home. Set an alarm to remind you when mealtime is approaching, and set aside time each day to let your dog stretch, run, and burn off some energy—isn't this what being on vacation is all about, after all?

 

 

 

When you travel with your pet, you are an ambassador for all pet travelers—so make a good impression! Abide by the rules of the places you visit—especially keeping your dog on-leash and always cleaning up after him. Inconsiderate behavior can have unfortunate repercussions for future pet travelers and local pet owners.

 

 

 

When things go a little sideways—and they sometimes will—you can choose to let it ruin your day, or you can choose to see it as a new adventure. Dogs are great teachers in that they're never attached to the outcome . . . where you end up, how many places you see along the way. . . . Those things are all irrelevant to your dog. He just wants to be with you and have fun. If you can embrace that mind-set, you'll see every detour as an opportunity to have a great time—and you and your dog will grow closer for the experience.

With these tips in hand, your first dog-friendly vacation will be a breeze! And, most important, you'll be making memories with your best friend that will last a lifetime.

 

 

 

In 2009 two accountants returned from walking their dog, Ty, and found a stray German shepherd waiting on their doorstep. They took the poor dog inside and mounted a search for his people, but no one came forward to claim him. So they named him Buster and made him part of their family . . . and that changed everything.

It wasn't long until the couple was planning their summer vacation and discovered how difficult it was to travel with a dog as big as Buster! Hotels had weight restrictions and some charged ridiculous pet fees, and information on pet-friendly restaurants, beaches, and dog parks was scattered all over the Internet. That's when Amy and Rod Burkert came up with the idea to start a Web site that would make it easy to plan trips the whole family could enjoy together.

Now GoPetFriendly.com has it all. From pet-friendly hotels and campgrounds to beaches and off-leash parks where your dog can run—even veterinarians, pet supply stores, restaurants, and wineries—you'll get the scoop on more than 60,000 pet-friendly locations across North America!

All the information pet parents need when traveling in the United States and Canada is provided free of charge, including 20,000 consistent, detailed pet policies from hotels and campgrounds, expert advice on nearly 200 dog-friendly destination guides, and a pet-friendly road-trip planner that makes planning your next vacation a breeze.

Amy, Rod, Ty, and Buster have been touring the country in their motor home for more than five years, searching out new pet-friendly places to include on the Web site, and blogging about their adventures. They invite you to travel vicariously with them on the GoPetFriendly.com blog, Take Paws, and on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Waggin' trails!