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Each year, I take a two week trip to my parents place in Halifax. Last year I hired a dog sitter (my cousin, who lives in the same house as I), no one got injured, or beaten, but when I got home, I got bombarded by complaints. He escaped the back yard twice (I told them to be with him in the yard, and to check gates at all time) and ran to the front door. He kept taking cat toys and destroying them, had one accident in the house, and never stopped whining.
My cousin is 22 years of age, lived for a year with Chase, babysat neighbors dogs, and had a 10 page manual I made for her to read (it included every detail down to the minute). I thought she could handle it, I even gave her a one week trial to see if she could handle Chase (he is a good dog, but as you all know, this breed will start making up games if not given the time for exercise) and she did fine...probably because I was there.
Anyhow, I don't feel comfortable leaving him at a kennel, or another house that offers pet sitting. So I thought he should come with me this year. I thought of driving, but I have not got him to calm down yet, and a two day car ride would be torture to him, same if I took the train. So I looked up flying.
Westjet offers animals up to 100lbs as checked baggage. I have an airline approved crate, and chase is now 83lbs. I called westjet and just flooded them with questions on how they handle live animals. The lady said I can have him in the airport right up to boarding, then crate him, and follow him to the Tarmac. No one is allowed to look at the animals (stare at them), poke their fingers in, talk to the animals, or disturb them in any way, they also accept any breed as long as they don't have a squished nose.
The flight is 1h45mins and that includes taking off, landing, and parking. I think this is the fastest and easiest way for him. My question to you guys, is how can I make this as comfortable and positive as possible?
My cousin is 22 years of age, lived for a year with Chase, babysat neighbors dogs, and had a 10 page manual I made for her to read (it included every detail down to the minute). I thought she could handle it, I even gave her a one week trial to see if she could handle Chase (he is a good dog, but as you all know, this breed will start making up games if not given the time for exercise) and she did fine...probably because I was there.
Anyhow, I don't feel comfortable leaving him at a kennel, or another house that offers pet sitting. So I thought he should come with me this year. I thought of driving, but I have not got him to calm down yet, and a two day car ride would be torture to him, same if I took the train. So I looked up flying.
Westjet offers animals up to 100lbs as checked baggage. I have an airline approved crate, and chase is now 83lbs. I called westjet and just flooded them with questions on how they handle live animals. The lady said I can have him in the airport right up to boarding, then crate him, and follow him to the Tarmac. No one is allowed to look at the animals (stare at them), poke their fingers in, talk to the animals, or disturb them in any way, they also accept any breed as long as they don't have a squished nose.
The flight is 1h45mins and that includes taking off, landing, and parking. I think this is the fastest and easiest way for him. My question to you guys, is how can I make this as comfortable and positive as possible?