Friday, January 8, 2010

winter wonder landing


Well it was coming on winter brake and a trip to see the family in NY was on the December calendar.
Thinking it would be less crowded and crazy we booked to fly on Christmas day. Little did I know I was just about to experience my first white Christmas.
Travel tip number three. I suggest fasting the day you fly. This way you don’t need to go poo or pee too much. Even though I arrive ravenous, I recommend it.
We usually take early morning flights so I don’t think about my breakfast that much.
At the airport, we check our baggage, and go through security.
Travel tip number four, don’t let them put you through the xray scanner! insist on a pat down, or pet down preferred.
Flight and plane changes went without a hitch.
However, just as we were coming towards NY, the pilot announced that all three NY airports were closed down due to the heavy snow storm. We flew back to an airport in Raleigh Durham and waited. And waited.
We sat on that tarmac in Raleigh for 5 hours!
Naturally my companion was very concerned that I would need to go potty. She had the airport personal take me from the plane, because of 9/11 airport security, passengers were not allowed to deplane, so aiport personel walked me around the tarmac. I wouldn’t go because it wasn’t the right place for me. They felt so bad that they even bent the rules and let my companion take me around on the tarmac for a second try, but I just couldn’t pee there.
Finally, after 5 LONG hours they opened Kennedy airport and we arrived safely...a short cab ride later and we were in the city and at a patch of grass I knew was all mine. Whew.! Now that’s how I spell relief!
I held it for 16 hours!
All I could say was NEVER AGAIN! and of course, WHERE’S THE FOOD???
Travel tip number five. Make sure you get to go potty between flights BEFORE you board your next plane.
Fortunately, I am pleased to report there are several places where this is possible.
In Phoenix there is the ‘Bone Yard’, it's clean, well maintained, with several filled dog poop bag dispensers, and it is shaded from the hot sun. In Chicago, I recommend you go in front of the Hilton on their huge grassy lawn. It's also fun to have a run and stretch there before reboarding. Atlanta was a bit of a challenge. My companion had to scale a wall in a hot parking garage, and then all that was there for me was gravel pebbles. Better than nothing.
As soon as we arrive at Laguardia in NY and after baggage claim, we always go where the taxi stands are. Across from the cabs the airport just set up a new, safe, enclosed grassy area called 'Short Term Barking'.

Happy tails, Nam out.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

First things first


Hello, My name is Namaste. My 2 legged companion and all her friends and family call me Nami.

I really like my name. I know the meaning comes from the sanskrit salutation, “I bow to the God that lives within you”. Hindus say that while their hands are together in prayer. Yogis say it too.

We changed it to, “I bow wow to the divine k-9 in you.”

My companion likes to say that I am a dog of pray, not prey....although I did kill a squirrel once.


I am a seven and a half year old Chocolate Rat Terrier. If you go to my profile page you will see a recent picture of me posted there.

I am starting this new year, 2010 off with a Free Travel Tips Blog for my fellow Rat Terriers.

While I am a professional traveler today, I actually started this business when I was only three months old. My companion saw my picture on the internet and wanted me so much that she flew out to NY, where I was living at the time, to get me and bring me back to where she lives in Santa Fe NM.

That was the farthest trip I had ever made.

I am originally from Rochester NY and my birth family brought me by car down to Nyack NY. After about a week of getting to know my new family in Nyack it was time to fly all the way to Santa Fe. Prairie Dogs and everything!


Travel tip number one. Get your papers in order. This is a must. A trip to the (holistic) vet to get any last minute pre flight check up and shots. With a clean bill of health you will be ready to go.

Travel tip number two. Get your people to buy you a very nice, easy to carry, completely ventilated and well cushioned travel bedroom aka "sherpa bag". We all know how important burrowing is to us Rats, so this is a serious must have.

From the very start I was brought into the cabin by my companion and was treated like any other passenger.

As a result, I felt like a princess being carried in my very own enclosed travel bedroom. I felt so safe inside there that I was able to go right to sleep. I barely remember a thing except it was a great trip. All the flight attendants made such a fuss over me. Why not?, After all I was as cute as any other three month old chocolate rat.


That’s all for now but please check back to read about of one of our most memorable Christmas travels.

Thanks for checking in...nam out.