Bungee Jumping and Other "Extra" Tips

"Extras" can mean the difference between a happy dog and a disaster. Here are a few to help.

1. After closing the crate door and locking it into place, take a bungee cord and secure it from the door grating to the window grating. Bungee cord can double for high dives out of the plane...but, this is not recommended. This will add extra security in the unlikely event that the door lock should malfunction.

2. Your crate comes with extra screws. Enclose these in a ziploc bag and tape securely onto the top of the crate. Again, in the unlikely event that the crate screws fall out, you have extra right at your finger tips...not buried in check-in luggage. It goes without saying that you should make very sure that all screws are tightened before you fly.

3.On the same note, go ahead and pack some treats and a leash in the same ziploc bag. In case of a misadventure, Fido can be taken out on a walk and have something to eat.

4.Last, but not least, make sure that everyone you come into contact with at the airport knows that you are flying with a dog. Everyone. We even made a small note with our dog's pic on it and gave it to the pilot when boarding the plane. I got the idea from a breeder who does it all the time. Needless to say, everyone! knew who we were and that we had a bundle of joy flying in the bottom of the plane and they should take every effort to make sure all goes well. After lift off, the pilot came on the speaker and announced to the plane that our pooch was doing just fine! Good, I was half way through my glass of wine, and doing just fine too.