Hummus and Cargo
Good morning!
Doesn’t Bella look SASSY? She needs a haircut like you read about 🙂
How’s your day going? Mine has been good- I forced myself to wake up early, even though I was tempted to sleep according to California time 🙂
I felt a lot better after a weights sesh, a spin class and a green juice:
An organic cucumber, whole thing (head? stalk?) of romaine, half a lemon + Stevia
Stevia is key. Without it, a fruitless green juice doesn’t taste so happy.
Rest of b-fast was an omelet and GF English muffin with organic butter and cinnamon:
The star of the show was HUMMUS in the omelet– so good 🙂
There’s so much to do today!!
-Laundry mountain
-Errands
-Re-create a recipe from this weekend 🙂
-Work! I’m excited to see my work friends again.
But before I go, I have a question for ya’ll (that has nothing to do with food or fitness):
Have any of you traveled with your dog under the plane as cargo before? I’m going to be taking Viesa with me to Tucson when I go for Thanksgiving and she’s 20 lbs- not a big dog by any means but not small enough to fit under the seat in front of me. I’m horrified of having her travel under the plane (especially since she’s an anxious thing) and don’t know what to do :/ I checked on a pet-only airline (Pet Airways) but it was going to be extremely expensive to take her (plus I’d have to drive her to Ft Lauderdale to take the pet airline). Any tips would be so appreciated! The Pilot and I have been researching like crazy.
See ya later today with a Foodbuzz weekend-inspired recipe 🙂
xoxo,
Gina
Zumba song of the day “Bon Bon (We Speak No Americano)” Pitbull I’m obsessed.
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Bella looks cute! 😀 Hummus in an omelette sounds interesting, might try that next time I make an omelette. Thanks for the suggestion. Looking forward to a Foodbuzz inspired recipe!
My family is currently living in Vietnam (father does International Development work) and they shipped my pup under the plane. There was a layover in Korea where he was taken out of the cage and walked. He came out in one piece and a’okay 🙂
good to know!
I can’t imagine traveling with a pet! I think I’d be scared. But how exciting that you are going home for thanksgiving!
An ex of mine had a Husky and we flew him as cargo up to Michigan and it was an experience. We had to go to the vet to get a certificate saying he could fly and then we had to sedate him when he flew. Oh and if the weather drops below a certain temp you can’t fly animals in cargo. The worst was the I was worried he was going to be scared all alone drugged up in the bottom of an airplane. He was fine but when we finally got him at baggage claim he had a huge mess all over the airport. Hopefully yall will have smooth traveling with Viesa.
First of all Bella is adorbs. 🙂
I’ve only traveled with my pup at my feet but I would never put her in cargo. I know that many dogs travel fine in cargo but there are also a LOT of horror stories of lost dogs and dogs that can’t handle being down there and the pressure changes. I’m sure for every bad story there’s a million good ones, but I wouldn’t be able to do it, personally knowing the risk. However it’s a personal choice and I’d love to hear how it goes if you do decide too!
I don’t know about dogs and flying. I don’t think she would be up for cargo though; she’s a girly-girl.I like her shaggy hair; might keep her warmer in this cold weather.
I don’t think I could do it! The whole pressure change thing really freaks me out. I’ll admit, I’m totally overprotective crazy dog lady. They say you have to sedate the dog, I think you’d have to sedate ME! 🙂
I had to fly my cat when we moved across Canada. She was technicially small enough to go under the seat but even with months of positive reinforcement, she would howl in the carrier, as well as vomit. We got her meds from the vet, and tried them a week before the flight. She was able to sleep comfortably for seven hours. She did wake up groggy though.
We made sure we wrapped her in a blanket after drugging her for the actual trip, in case the temperature dropping in cargo. She arrived warm, sleeping, and safely! If it is a direct flight, I would do it again. I am not sure how I would feel if it had multiple connections though or if it was an exceptionally long flight. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Gina, I have traveled with my precious baby in pet cargo only once. It was very stressful — for ME. I did loads of research and found that Continental has the best pet care. I had the added complication that I was traveling in summer and many airlines won’t take pets because of the heat (Austin is HOT). It’s not the cargo, it’s the waiting time the pets are in their crates, outside. But that’s not your problem right now. Tip #1) if you can fly Continental, do it. They keep the pets in A/C vans, in the shade, until all other cargo (and people) are boarded. Then the flight attendant came to inform us that our pet was safely on board. Tip #2) Request this notification no matter which airline you travel. I think the pilot is notified and he told the attendant who notified us. We also duck-taped extra dog food to the outside of the crate with info on the last time my dog had eaten (this was just in case there was some type of delay). We also froze water in the little bowl that attaches inside the crate. So it was solid ice cube which melted slowly (otherwise it would have spilled and then she would have had no water. And it was summer.) I’ll try to remember other tips for you. GOOD LUCK. Lots of people do this and the dogs are just fine. You have to keep telling yourself this (another important tip.) Oh yeah, I just remembered, you will need a health certificate from a vet and you should NOT sedate your dog going into cargo (OK for on board pets where you can watch over them.)
Ooh no idea about pets on planes — I’m sure you’ll get some good tips from everyone.
Is that a kool-aid juice glass? I think I see the kool-aid guy’s smile on there 🙂
hahah yes 🙂
“Oh Yeah” <— said in the Kool Aid guy voice 🙂
i don’t like when juice wears tights!
(do you like dane cook?)
I had both my pups shipped to me (one from Canada and the other from Alabama- I’m in Wilmington, NC). Both were fine when I picked them up- no problems whatsoever. Truthfully I was a bit nervous about it all but my breeders reassured me that my pups would be fine. Put a favorite toy (no small pieces that can be chewed up and or off) or a piece of clothing that smells like you to help comfort her.
A direct flight would be best and less stressful for both you and Viesa. A trip to the vet would be in order as the airlines requires a health certification.
Hope you make a decision that feels and is right for you and your pups- enjoy your Thanksgiving with your fam!
Elizabeth
I also have a million things to do after work today! My house seems to get so messy so quickly… I need to power through it all!
Check out JetBlue. I haven’t used them personally but friends have (they just travelled with 2 dogs). They’re extremely pet friendly! Have a whole pet flying program. You can also let them out in-flight too so they don’t have to stay under the seat.
The pet cargo area is pressurized, just like the cabin so you don’t have to worry about that. I just noticed that several people talked of sedating the dogs. My experience is the airlines say DO NOT. This is for your dog’s safety. There will be no one to watch over them while in flight. It’s too risky. You have to check them in well before flight time so a safe dosage will wear likely off anyway. I have taken a cat on board and did give her a sedative, that worked well but it also wore off toward the end of the flight (she was too freaked out to make a peep). I think pets should be monitored when under sedation.
I think it’s imperative that if you are thinking about sedating your pet you talk it over with your veterinarian! I’ve heard some pet owners say they will give their animals gravol…. DONT! It can seriously harm them!
Personally, I don’t like the idea of my animals being on drugs… it doesn’t sit right with me.
But to each their own 🙂
When I moved out here I had my cat shipped to me and she rode in the cargo hold. She arrived fine and didn’t seem to have any problems.
My dog flew twice as cargo.
First time when I moved to the US from Germany. I used a company to “ship” her so she could have a direct flight, which I couldn’t afford for myself.
I dropped her off and she flew from Frankfurt to Denver and my husband picked her up. She did just fine – was just really thirsty afterwards. She did not pee or poop in her carrier at all. I arrived a few hours later after taking a stop in Newark.
The second time was when we went to Germany for vacation and couldn’t find a dogsitter. So we took her with, we had a layover in Atlanta and saw her out by the plane – ooohhhh. The pilot also went out to say hi to her. I was so anxious the whole 10 hours!!! I don’t know if I could do that again. I always asked the flight attendants if my dog is on board and eventually the pilot made an announcement that all dogs are safely on board :-). My dog did perfect and there was no sign of stress afterwards. She was just happy to get out and take a looooooong pee.
We had some trouble because of course it got really cold right when we left. and when we left Germany it was the middle of the night in Denver and really cold, so they first didn’t want to take her. But we got it worked out.
I was told you should not do any drugs, because they could kill the dog.
My dog is also just 20 pounds, but too big to be under the seat. She’s usually very stressed and freaked out, but did so well with flying. She walked out with the “look what I did all by myself” confidence :-).
Both of my cats are world travelers. We flew them from Germany to the States and back to the UK where we’re currently stationed. It’s not a pleasant experience for me or them, I’m sure, but it was necessary. I personally wouldn’t fly them if it weren’t a necessity. Maybe you can get someone to watch Viesa while you’re gone? Also, you should never sedate your pet when flying. Studies have shown that it’s more dangerous to sedate them rather than let them fly “as is”. In fact most airlines no longer allow sedation of pets when flying. I was going to sedate mine when we left Germany but the vet advised against it. When we were booking the flight for the United Kingdom we were told they would not be allowed to fly if they were under any sedation. Just something to think about…
Speaking from experience, you’ll be a nervous wreck. I don’t want to talk you out of flying Viesa, I just want to share my experience. It was stressful for me because I worried about them the entire time and it’s not like you can tell them what’s going on. What happens if she doesn’t do well on the trip over? Will you be okay putting her back on the plane for the trip home? Can you get a direct flight over or will there be layovers?
I know it seems like I’m trying to talk you out of it and I’m really not. In the end my cats did just fine on all of their flights and when we leave the UK they’ll be flying again. I don’t have children so my pets are the closest thing I have to kids right now. Good luck with whatever you decide! 🙂
Theres no way I would put my dog in cargo, especially if she is anxious. She’d proabably be better off at a boarding place that she likes, or get a sitter to come to your house.
You said you are just going for Thanksgiving? I’d board my pet (at a doggie daycare/hotel) rather than take her with me. She is also about 20 pounds and shy/scared. I wouldn’t put her through the plane ride, though I imagine it would be worse for me than her. The vet would need to prescribe a sedative for ME as well.
seriously!
vies is actually going to stay in tucson with family until the pilot comes home and we find out where we’re moving. it’s been too crazy over here with 3 dogs who don’t get along
If it were me I’d put the dog in a boarding place/kennel/ect. 🙂 Otherwise, I have nothing to contribute! I’ve never flown at all, much less with a pet.
I would never put my dogs in cargo on a plane. I’ve sat on the tarmac and watched how the baggage handlers handle the pet crates and it horrifies me! My friend’s dog died from a pre-flight sedative, so nope, no way.
oh god.
What a brilliant idea to put hummus in your omelet!
best of luck figuring out the puppy situation.
Hummus on an omelet sounds amazing! must try if i ever have eggs (very rare)
Awww I’m so sorry. I feel stressed out for you just thinking about the {lack of} options. {But seriously, who knew there was a pet airline?? Its not close to me but good to know for future reference.}
I don’t want to stress you out even more with my answer but the only way that I would let my pet fly cargo was if I absolutely, positively had zero options. The whole thought just makes me too nervous.
Buuuut for the record: My uncle has let his large lab fly cargo twice before and everything was fine.
I would find a rolling doggy bag that will fit under the seat. When you are in the airport etc you can unzip it and strap her in and she can sit up. Then when you are on the flight she can just lay down while the bag is zipped under the seat. If she’s laying down she should be able to fit under the seat. I’ve done that with my dog before. They say that dogs should be able to stand up and turn around but I know my dogs just sleep in their bag so even for a longer flight I think it’s ok. I always unzip the bag and give them water once we are in the air anyways. I think that’s less stressful for them and me than them being able to stretch their legs but being in cargo. Especially if she is nervous.
Yum hummus in a omelet! I will have to try that. I’ve flown with my dog and he was fine. I’m pretty sure he just slept the whole way. I was panicking about him flying but in the end everything worked out.
We have such similar taste buds! Such good eats here, loving the juice and yay for eggs! Never put hummus in my omelet, its probably delicious. I’ve never taken my dogs with me so I can’t help you there 🙁 but I see that plenty others have so hopefully you’ll get some good tips. Looking forward to the recipe!
I have also been scared to ever bring my dogs on a plane, I am curious what you find out. 🙂 I know if the dogs overheat easy, it is a bad idea. Mine do-Bulldogs.
Great breaksfast there Gina.
First, meals look amazing!
I wish I had good advice with the puppy dog flying situation. It’s too bad they can’t stay with you in the cabin. Is it possible to give the doggy a little sedative so she doesn’t get too upset? I know drugs are not always a great idea but it may calm her down.
Hummus works in the weirdest places!
As for the dog — never done it, and I’d be scared to!
I raise Seeing Eye dogs and we take them on planes to get used to traveling with their future owners–I’m talking like 75lb labs here, that go under the seat. Gosh! I don’t know how it’s really be on a trip (they just “drive” the plane for us–no flying)
I wish I could help with the dog flying thing. We have a really anxious pup too and it is a little scary to think how she’d handle being under the plane. People (and dogs) do it every day so it can’t be too terrible.
I am absolutely loving Pitbull for any workout music lately, too!
I would never fly a pet in a cargo area UNLESS I was moving to another country for good. Even then, (with my two cats), I would try and take them on the plane. I have heard of far too many horror stories to feel comfortable and safe doing it. I’m sure there are good stories, but I just couldn’t. I hope she will be okay though!
I read a dog blog (someone who blogs as a dog!). They moved from California to Memphis. All the readers were nervous about the big dog, but it turned out they chartered a plane so they could fly with their dog! Obviously, this isn’t an option for most people, but it made for some adorable pictures.
This one has the cutest picture! http://lovealwaysbear.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-trip-to-memphis-part-three.html
that’s amazing! if the pilot was here, we could rent a plane and fly her out ourselves
I’ve researched it before because I didn’t want to drive from FL to IL with my two cats who get very very car sick (in the end I drove with them and it wasn’t so bad). But, I did find out they have vans that will drive your pet to wherever you’re going if you don’t want to fly her. You have to provide food stuffs and a crate and so forth for the people driving the pet, and some of the companies offer military discounts.
My dog is pretty hyper, and he did just fine when we traveled with him in cargo. FYI, many vets and airlines do NOT suggest using a sedative when pets fly because if they have any complications from it, they’re alone in the cargo area with no one to help them.
My advice: pick your airline and thoroughly research their travel with pets policies. You’ll have to have a specific type of crate and may need to include food and water in the crate with her. Get a direct flight if you can, and she’ll be fine!
I’m sure it’s an extremely long drive, but I would rent a car and make the drive then fly home so you don’t have to worry about how someone will handle your furbaby.
it’s the other side of the country 🙁
I’m not much help with the dog flying thing, although I’m sure she’ll be fine. 🙂 Is it possible to even buy her a seat? I’m not sure how much that’d be compared to flying her underneath, or even possible, but perhaps if you get an exit seat, it could work? Perhaps having a very large glass of red wine prior to the flight might help calm your nerves. 😉
in this case, i would need a bottle. haha
Check with the airline you plan on flying, you may be able to purchase an additional ticket and take up the row and strap her into the seat. I know it sounds weird but on the last trip I took a person had their dog in the carried strapped into the seat. It was a big dog(much bigger than 20 lbs) and the crate was ginormous but they must have just purchased the extra seat and made it work.
that is an awesome idea- thank you!
we used this for our dog http://www.sturdiproducts.com/4111/xcart/product.php?productid=2&cat=1&page=1 because he is too long to fit in normal carriers (hes only 14lbs but quite long!)
Its technically too big for under the seat (by the airline dimensions) but we’ve never had a problem and flown a few times. He is probably a bit cramped under the seat but then has much more room in the airport.
I dont think I would fly with a dog in cargo unless it was an emergency..honestly id probably pay the money and do the pet airline (although I dont know the cost)
$700 🙁
oh yikes! thats ridiculous (I was expecting more in the $400-500 range)
What about a professional pet moving service?? I’m guessing that’s not going to cheap either. But I know someone that used a company like that and had a fantastic experience.
I flew United this weekend and they had the cutest little doggy bowls by the gate, plus a “pet relief” area outside the terminal when I landed at JFK. I’ve never traveled with a pet myself, but a good family friend has a search-and-rescue LAB that she has to buy a separate ticket for and bring onto the plane, and he just sits next to her. Crazy, right? Maybe talk to the vet about some kind of sedative so she’s not too nervous on the plane?
wow- maybe they’ll let me buy a ticket for her. i’ll totally do it
I’ve never tried a green juice or green monster with Romaine before – do you find it blends up with about the same consistency and taste as spinach? I might have to try it because my spinach supplies are running very low right now!
the difference between a green juice and a green smoothie is that the juices are made in a juicer and the smoothies are made in a blender- the romaine juices extremely well because there’s so much water in it, but i wouldn’t put it in the blender 🙂
I flew with my dogs (two) and cat all in the cabin a few different times (we were moving cross country and I flew ahead with the animals) and Scott drove one of the cars and the other car was trailered with the moving truck. Oh my, just thinking of the logistics of it all gives me a panic attack but I digress and since I’ve never leaving the west coast, I dont have to worry anymore..haha!
Anyway though, yes, my dogs also once flew under the plane because we got the dogs from a woman in Kansas who had to ship them to us. And they flew in cargo. They arrived, they were fine (probably shaken up) but it was the only way and it all worked out, and they were our pets for many years 🙂
I’ve been looking into the EXACT same thing! My dog is 20 lbs, too– so just big enough to NOT fit under the seat. Ugh.
After hearing a bunch of horror stories, I’m too scared of putting my pup in the cargo area of the plane. I recently read somewhere that 500+ animals are killed or injured each year from extreme temperatures, pressure, and/or suffocation in the cargo compartment! So, I personally won’t do it!! I’m looking into dog airlines, too– but it stinks how pricey they are!!
Hope we both figure out a good solution!
My advice would be to call local breeders and/or humane societies in Orlando and ask them if they’ve had any experiences with any of the airlines. We almost adopted an adorable puppy when I was in Puerto Rico last fall, and that particular organization had strong relationships with Continental and American. Maybe there are organizations in Orlando that are similar?
Omg what’s up with people writing such scary dog stories!! We traveled with our dogs a lot growing up. We just gave them a little sleepy med (like half a benedryl or something) and they were groggy and loving life by the time they reached the plane. Your baby will be fine!
id be careful with the benadryl – it makes my dog WIRED.
I used to work for an airline and my best advice to you is to let every airline person you come in contact with know that you are traveling with a dog as cargo. As soon as you get to the gate, tell the gate agent and keep your eyes peeled out the windows to see if you can see her board. When you are boarding, tell the agent again and see if they can radio the ramp to see if she is on yet. When you get on tell the flight attendant – they might be able to ask the pilot quickly (the pilot is advised when they have animals on board). Make it seem like you aren’t getting on until you know she is on, but be SUPER SUPER NICE the whole time. That is huge when you are dealing with stressed out airline workers. When you land and get to baggage claim, immediately tell the agents you are waiting for a dog. They are supposed to be sent to baggage before the bags but that sometimes doesn’t happen. If she doesn’t come down in a timely manner make sure the plane hasn’t left for somewhere else before you find out where she is. And take a nonstop or direct flight if possible. If it is direct and it stops somewhere – peel your eyes out the window to make sure she is not taken off in error. All this being said, I’ve never seen a problem with an animal that flew as cargo, but these are just the steps I would take if it was me and my pet.
Petfinder’s 2010 Most Pet-Friendly U.S. Airlines: http://www.petfinder.com/your-pet-and-you/2010-pet-friendly-airlines.html
Maybe this will help?
thank you <3
I’ve had the same worries and have held off on any pet air travel so far, but many friends have done it without horror stories. The only bit of advice I consistently hear is to make sure your airline climate controls the below cabin where the pet crates are kept. If not it can get dangerously cold down there! Good luck.
I would never fly with my dog in cargo, but he’s really big and tends to get nervous. We even have to get a pet sitter when we go out of town because he has Kennel PTSD. At any rate, we purchased him from a breeder, and he was actually flown to us (in cargo) when he was 8 weeks old. He seemed to do fine (Florida to Virginia), and was no worse for wear when we picked him up. They put him on a very late flight – he didn’t get in until after midnight so he was nice and tired without having to be sedated. That may be an option to keep in mind. I don’t envy your decision, but I’m sure everything will be fine.
my friend brings her dog from SF to New Hampshire every summer, Nacho goes under her seat (she always brings her twin boys!!!) I know she has a special bag the dog goes in, I think she might drug him a little bit and I know she pays a lot…I hope you can figure it out!
Honestly, I would leave Viesa with family or at a kennel. I don’t think it’s EVER a good idea to fly with a dog as cargo, sorry, especially when she already has anxiety problems. I fly with my little Sophie under the seat and that’s traumatic enough with me there to reassure her. Cannot imagine leaving her alone in the bottom of a cold, loud, dark plane. 🙁