DEAR ABBY: I travel a lot in my work with animal protection. Often I'll encounter dogs and cats in distress as soon as I reach the airport. Distracted by their own thoughts, their owners seldom realize they're upsetting the pets they're carrying through the terminal.
Advertisement
Animal carriers are carelessly swung to and fro, banged against counters, chairs and onto the floor. Cat or dog shoulder bags are dangled at angles that make it impossible for the animal inside to balance. These poor pets can be confused, dizzy and suffer from motion sickness before the flight even takes off.
Traveling is stressful enough for animals. So please, everyone -- if you fly with an animal companion, keep it foremost in your thoughts. Use a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier, preferably one with wheels, that's designed for animals and to fit under your seat. And please, keep the carrier upright and steady. -- ANIMAL LOVER IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
DEAR ANIMAL LOVER: Thank you for the heads up. In case someone's pet might have other issues while traveling, it's always a good idea to talk about it with a veterinarian before embarking. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)