DAY 1: Let the Games Begin, Discover San Francisco!
Our adventure starts in the early afternoon along the waterfront in San Francisco at the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf. Your EUROPEDS guides will help you and you four legged travel companion check into your rooms. Once everyone has had a chance to rest and relieve him or herself, it’s off to the city streets for some great local sights. We’ve sniffed out the best nooks and crannies for our afternoon walk and we’ll enjoy the many spectacles this city has to offer. We’ll arrive back at the hotel in time to freshen up before meeting up in the hotel’s lobby for an orientation meeting and welcome drink. We’ll have a chance to meet all of the EUROPEDS guests, guides and canines alike before venturing out for dinner at a restaurant in town. Four legged friends will have to stay in tonight while their human companions are at dinner. Not to worry though, one of your EUROPEDS guides will stay on site and be available should Fido choose to misbehave.

It's vacation time at last!

So, the idea of walking through one of the loveliest regions of California in the company of your dog is almost more joy than you can bear? There are many things to consider before taking “Fido” along for the ride. Is taking your dog along best for your dog, or best for you? At home your dog has all of its favorite toys, sleeping spots, and the run of the backyard all day. Will this happy critter adjust to some of the rigors inherent to taking a trip abroad? Some dogs adapt well to travel, some do not. Some may become so violently ill that you will have to cut your vacation short. (The first day of your trip is not the best time to find out that Fido gets motion sickness.) Some dogs shouldn't travel at all. If your dog is very young or very old, sick, recovering from surgery, or pregnant, then leave her or him at home. In particular regards to airplanes, some short-muzzled dogs may have difficulty breathing in a cargo hold (some airlines will not accept certain breeds on flights on which a fixed temperature will be exceeded at any point).

VISIT YOUR VET!

As soon as you know that your dog will be vacationing with you, see
your veterinarian. Have your vet check your dog's general fitness, ability to travel, and immunization records. If you fly, most airlines will require a vet's health certificate for your dog's immunization record. If heartworm is a problem where you are going, get the necessary heartworm medication. If your dog is prone to motion sickness, your vet can prescribe proper medication.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

If you do plan to take your dog along with you on a EUROPAWS/EUROPEDS vacation, make sure that he or she is properly trained to sit, stay, and come. Your dog should wear a collar with proper identification at all times. The identification tags should have your dog's name, address and telephone immediate access to your dog. Water and good dishes must be accessible from the outside for feeding and watering. Some dog owners freeze water in a dish before flight. While this might provide your dog with water, once the water melts it can spill over into the carrier bed, making for a very wet ride for your dog. If your dog has never flown, familiarize her with the door to the carrier without causing her distress. Leave the room once the door is secured and your dog is comfortable in the carrier. Your dog needs to become accustomed
to being in the carrier without you. Increase the amount of time she is in the carrier with the door closed until she can stay about one
and a half times the flight time.

DEPARTURE:

Don't feed your dog for at least six hours before departure time. Most
dogs travel better on an empty stomach, and if they do get sick they will not soil themselves. Never muzzle your dog - it could restrict her
breathing and limit her ability to pant. Put her favorite blanket or toy in the carrier before leaving for the airport. Arrive at the airport at least an hour (no sooner than four hours) before your departure time. This will give you time to service your dog, take him for a quick walk and a chance to eliminate if he needs to. Be sure to pick up the remains. Some airlines will allow passengers to supervise the loading of their companion animals, but you must request this privilege. (The airlines will not willingly offer this to passengers) As soon as you get on the plane, hand the stewardess API's Frequent dog Flyer and ask her to give it to the captain. This flyer alerts the captain that live animals are in the cargo hold and asks him to turn on the heating or cooling controls and to pressurize the cargo hold. Once you have reached your destination and deplaned, immediately retrieve your companion animals from the baggage claim area.

TRAVELING BY CAR:

A few safety procedures are vital when traveling by car. Never, ever
leave your dog unattended in a hot car. Your dog can suffer irreparable brain damage or death if left in a car in the sun for too long (API's Hot CarFlyer serves as a handy reminder for you and others.) If your dog thinks that the only time it gets into the car is to go visit the veterinarian -- a man who sticks it with needles -- then he is going to be very apprehensive about getting into a car to take a long drive. To acclimate your animal to car travel, start with both of you sitting in number on it. If there is room also add the name and telephone number of a person who could serve as an emergency contact in case your dog is lost. A nylon collar or harness is usually best. Never allow your dog to travel wearing a choke chain - the collar-pull could become snagged on the carrier or another object and lead to choking. Keep your dog's shot records, a written description, and several photographs with you in case of separation. These items would be necessary to claim your
dog from the local animal control center when found. The written
description should include your dog's name, height, weight, color, and any distinguishing marks. Other items to bring along are a leash, a supply
of your dog's usual food, a container of water, dishes for food and water, a favorite toy or two, flea/tick powder, a brush and clippers, and any medication that your dog may need.

TRAVEL BY AIR

Traveling by plane may be the most expedient way to travel, but it is
also the hardest on your dog. It places you in a situation where,
unfortunately, you have little control over the care given to your dog. Although federal regulations require that animals transported on
airlines be treated humanely, there are still infractions. By
considering the following suggestions, you can greatly reduce the risks involved with transporting your dog by air.

BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT:

Book a direct flight whenever possible, and tell the reservation clerk
that you will be traveling with a dog. If a direct flight is not available, book a flight with the fewest number of stopovers but do not change planes. If you cannot avoid long layovers, ask the flight attendants to make sure that the baggage handlers are aware that there are animals in the cargo hold - this will reduce the risk of your dog being left in a hot cargo hold or out in direct sunlight without adequate shelter for extended periods of time. If at all possible, try to travel at mid-week, during the day or late evening, to ensure that your dog receives better care from the baggage handlers (there will also be less chance that your flight will be delayed on the runway). Outside temperature is obviously an important consideration, but the U.S.D.A. has instituted strict guidelines to protect against potentially harmful exposure.

THE DOG CARRIER:

Dog carriers must meet minimum legal standards for size, strength,
sanitation, and ventilation. The animals must have enough room to
breathe, stand up, lie down, and turn around comfortably. The carrier must close securely (with no need for special tools to re-open it), have handles, be equipped with food and water dishes, and clearly display your dog's name, address, and destination. For extended trips you should also affix food and medication to the top of the carrier as well. Stickers reading "Live Animal" are required on the top and one side. The sticker on the side should have an arrow pointing to the top of the carrier. The best carrier is made out of plastic with a steel mesh door. A lip on the side will keep baggage pressed up against it from blocking the ventilation holes. Never lock the door of your dog's carrier. In an emergency, the baggage handlers may need the car with the engine on. Gradually build up to a trip around the block, then try a visit to a park an hour or more away. A dog that remains loose in the car must learn that the driver's seat and area are off limits. (We have all seen cars swerve in the middle of traffic when a dog, startled by a truck whizzing by has jumped into the driver's lap.) A sharp command or "no" several times is usually enough to persuade most dogs to keep back. Do not let your dog hang its head outside the window. This may be an icon of American travel, but dust and debris can easily lodge in delicate eyes. Dog stores stock special restraint devices that secure your animal to the seatbelt buckle or to the seatbelt itself. If she has a favorite place to sleep, put the carrier in that spot. Place her favorite toy, blanket or food in the carrier and encourage her to go inside it. Work toward the point where you can close the restraining device will keep your dog from crashing into the front window or car seat. The restraint will also keep your animal inside the vehicle and away from the driver. If you are traveling by pickup truck, many states/provinces require your dog to be tethered if he travels in the cargo bed.(Some states/provinces require dogs to ride in the cab with you.) Be sure to learn the law in the state or province you're visiting.

TRAVELING BY TRAIN:

At present, Amtrak does not allow dogs to travel on its trains and
smaller train operations may allow a companion animal to travel in a carrier(the same carriers that the airlines require). Check with your local railroad to verify that it allows dogs on board. Also find out if its baggage cars are heated (most are not). If not, consider another form of transportation or avoid train travel in extreme weather conditions. If your train has a long stopover, retrieve your dog from the carrier and take her for a walk.