Before making pet travel plans, it's important to research your airline options and any restrictions that may exist in order to avoid getting into an inconvenient situation on your day of departure. Do you have the right travel crate? Do you have the correct paperwork from your vet? Wait, is your breed of pet even accepted by this airline?

These are all questions certainly worth looking into well in advance, and most can be answered by perusing the airline's website or giving them a call. Here at PetRelocation we do our best to stay on top of airline policy changes and announcements, too, so check with us if you have questions.

For example, here's a recent update from United, a pet-friendly airline we often book pet flights with. They are fine tuning their breed restrictions to help keep pets as safe as possible, so beginning April 15, United will begin including French Bulldogs and French Bulldog mixes in their year-round embargo policy.

Here's the announcement from United:

United Airlines DOES NOT accept English Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogge, French Bulldogs or “mixed” varieties of this breed after they have reached 20lbs. or 6 months of age (whichever comes first) at any time of the year. The adults of this breed are completely embargoed.

Note that United is also expanding its pet services; they recently announced additional PetSafe routes and PetSafe Product enhancements. Their complete set of pet policies can be found here.

Please contact PetRelocation with any questions about air travel with pets, and fly safely, everyone!

 

 

In addition to United's recent announcement that they will be adding new PetSafe routes to Latin America, Canada, and within the United States, they are also rolling out several new product enhancements.

-United was recently approved to add three new PetSafe vans to its existing fleet. These new additions will operate in Chicago and Washington Dulles, supporting two of the busiest hubs just in time for summer travel season.

-Fifty new agents have also been added to the PetSafe desk, which means that customer calls will be answered more quickly and efficiently and wait times will be reduced.

-Finally, construction on an on-site kennel facility in Chicago has now begun, and it is expected to open in early spring 2013.

According to United, "These are just a few of the PetSafe developments planned for 2013. We are off to an exciting start, and please watch for more enhancements in the months ahead."

Please contact PetRelocation if you have any questions, and keep in touch for more pet travel updates.

 

 

 

Headed to Downtown Austin for SXSW? Get your tail moving -- you're invited to a paw-ty!

PetRelocation is partnering with Petmate to host our first yappy hour on Friday, March 8th for all pet lovers! Pick up a pet toy to take home to your favorite feline or precious pup, check out super-new pet products from Petmate, learn about PetRelocation's pet travel services, and help a good cause all in one tail-waggingly-fun happy hour!

Here's the scoop:

 

First,

- Check-in at PetRelocation's offices on Yelp!, Facebook or Foursquare to get in the door at our new state of the art offices in downtown Austin at the corner of 7th and Brazos.

Then,

- Make a $1 donation to Austin Pets Alive!, which works to make Austin a "no-kill" city, and receive a FREE Petmate chew treat for your dog or nip toy for your cat! We have piles of pet swag, so bring a dollar for every four-legged member of your family!

- Check out the new PetRelocation Experience Room at the corner of 7th and Brazos, designed by the amazing Austin ad agency, Tilted Chair Creative, and learn more about safely traveling with pets from PetRelocation experts.

- Chat with Ann Hanson (@annyhanny), Director of Marketing and Innovation at Petmate, to learn about what innovative new products are hitting the pet market.

Finally,

- Grab a drink (yes, free beer!) or a bite to eat, relax, and network with other pet-friendly guests!

Just the Facts:

What: Petmate + PetRelocation Yappy Hour

When: Friday, March 8, 2013 - 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM CST

Where: PetRelocation Downtown HQ - 612 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701 (on the corner of 7th and Brazos St., next door to the Driskill Hotel)

 

 

 

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Name: Charles
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Chow Chow
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
To: Guyana, South America

 

What would be good to put in a carrier to calm small dogs? They are going as carry on. A carrier I purchased in the past had a chemical in a piece of felt, but I don't think the carrier manufacturer sells it anymore.

Thanks,

Chuck

 

Hi Chuck,

 

Thanks for your question. Many pet owners do look for natural anxiety remedies for their pets, and some people find that things like Chamomile or Valerian make a difference. We don't have any specific products to recommend, but we do have a few tips for helping your dog stay calm while traveling.

1. Allow your pets plenty of time to get used to the crate before you travel; make it a part of daily life by keeping it out in the open and placing toys and treats inside of it to encourage the dogs to view it as a safe and comfortable place.

2. Make sure they're given plenty of exercise before the trip to burn off energy and encourage nap time.

3. Many people like to sleep in an old T-shirt and then place it in the crate on travel day; the familiar smell can be comforting to dogs.

Hopefully this is helpful. Please contact us if you have more questions about  moving your dogs to Guyana, and good luck!
 

 

Just as the economy hasn't slowed the pet travel industry or the amount of money we spend on pet Halloween costumes, the winter holidays are set to be a generous season of pet-oriented gift buying and giving.

A recent British survey found that 75% of people plan to buy their pet a gift and over half will spend more money on their pets than their significant other, and the American Pet Products Association reports that Americans typically spend more than $200 million per year on pet gifts. Sound crazy to you, or perfectly normal?

Well, just in case you're looking for gifts for your pets or for the pet-lovers in your life, we're pinning the top gadgets, toys and accessories we run across on a couple of our Pinterest boards: pet-themed gifts and cool pet products. We also have a holiday pets board just for fun, because who doesn't love looking at snow kitties and dogs in scarves?

Will you be giving your pet a gift this year? Do you use Pinterest to keep track of your ideas? Tell us in the comments or on our Facebook page!

 

 

 

What happened in the world of  pet news this week? Glad you asked.

 

Neat-o animal tourism in Japan.

Goldfish companions as hotel amenities?

Researchers find that looking at cute animal pictures improves productivity. (We like this study.)

Tips from our experts: all about shipping pets to China.

Are you tuning in to DogTime's Pet Blog Awards?

October is National Pet Wellness month.

Here in Austin we have a Dogtoberfest that includes a DogTrot-- do you have something similar in your town?

Taming exotic pet owners.

News of our own: Boris and Mia are our Pet Move of the Month.

 

Enjoy the weekend!

 

There are many moving parts when it comes to organizing a pet move, with one key area being veterinarian offices. Often multiple vet visits are needed to prepare for a move, so it's important for doctors and staff to have a good understanding of travel procedures as well as pre-travel and post-travel health advice.

We work with many vet offices around the world, and one of our favorites is Katy Trail Animal Hospital in Dallas, TX. Since they're always so helpful and friendly when we're working to prepare our Dallas-area pets, we thought we'd take a moment to explore their point of view.

Debbie Bumbard is a receptionist at Katy Trails, and she was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.

 

How often do you see pets who are getting ready to move?

Annually, we see approximately 180 pets moving outside of Dallas. Of that number, 40-50 are traveling or moving internationally.

What are pet owners most surprised about when it comes to the health aspects of relocating?

The amount of paperwork, time and money involved.

Has the clinic learned a lot about pet travel from working with PetRelocation.com? What do you think you’ve taught us in return?

PetRelocation.com has been a godsend!  Always willing to help when I have a question or concern.  Our clients have been very pleased with the services they offer.

What advice do you have for people helping their pets get used to a new home after a move?

Take it slow. Do not give the pet free reign of the house initially. Over the first few weeks gradually work up to letting the pet explore the entire house. We also recommend all natural stress relief products for pets to help with any anxieties they may be experiencing.

Do you have any fun stories to share relating to pet travel?

Something that I always ask our clients to do when moving or traveling abroad is to send us a picture of the pet in their new country.  We have pictures of Labs in Paris, Pomeranians in Italy, cats in Hawaii and Shepherds in Brussels, just to name a few!  It is always a nice feeling to know that you helped with the process of getting them there and made the process as stress free as possible for owner and pet.

--

Thanks, Debbie!

As always, please contact PetRelocation.com with any pet travel questions you have.

Though every pet move is different, most share a few familiar elements. This month's Pet Move of the Month illustrates a perfect example of what the typical pet owner experiences each step of the way: initial nervousness followed by a growing confidence that everything will be fine, and finally the happiness that comes with seeing your pet delivered safely to you.

Mandy is as dedicated a pet owner as can be, and her dog Napoleon (Napoe) is one lucky pup. Their recent move from the United States to Hong Kong was a smooth adventure, and we congratulate them for being stellar travelers.

Read more about Napoe's experience, including some valuable information about pet life in Hong Kong (people love him there!). Thanks to Mandy and Napoe, and good luck in your new home!

 

Is this the first time you’ve ever moved a pet?

Yes.  This is the first time we've ever moved our little guy. Napoe has lived in Arkansas for all 7 1/2 years of his doggy life. He is like our child.  

We've had never boarded him, never crated him, never left him with anyone other than family and close friends. The thought of him flying alone as cargo was mortifying to me. When I learned that the Hong Kong government wouldn't allow him to fly with us in the cabin, I literally had a panic attack.

A friend who had moved from our area to Hong Kong and used PetRelocation.com to help them move their dog Roger recommended you to us. From the first phone call (and I got through the call ALMOST without crying) I felt very comfortable with the care, knowledge and professionalism that every person I spoke to had. Each person seemed to genuinely want Napoleon to make a safe and successful move to Hong Kong.  
 

What were some of your concerns going into the move?

I wanted to know everything about every leg of Napoe's travel. What would he see, hear, and smell? Would there be any chance that someone might mistreat him? Would he be scared? Would he panic? Should I look into sedating him? What would happen if he needed to go to the bathroom, etc etc. I was also concerned with the fact that he is only 3.5lbs and his bladder is tiny. Could he manage a 16 hour flight without having to potty?

Each of my questions was listened to and addressed with care and compassion. I learned that dogs are den animals, and that while Napoe might initially be nervous, he would likely burrow into a blanket and fall asleep to the hum of the plane motor. I worried that he would be cold, but was assured that the place he would ride was temperature and pressure controlled.  

 

Reading about Hong Kong

 

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?

Yes. The knowledge of the staff, the follow up, and the ease with which we were able to bring him over to Asia. I was thoroughly and completely impressed with how simple things were, for me and for Napoe. After my first call to PetRelocation.com,  things went smooth as silk.  

How is Napoe adjusting to life in Hong Kong?

When Napoe arrived and was let out of his crate, for about 30 seconds his ears were back and he was a little uncertain. Then, after he realized that it was me, his mom, he was so happy!!  He wiggled his tail and he was happy, playful and thrilled to see me. Napoe explored our apartment and went right to his blanket and found his favorite toy. 

He is still getting used to the fact that most of the places where he is allowed to potty are concrete. But., there are also plenty of places where he can explore. Where we are in Stanley, he is welcome at restaurants, shops and he comes with us just about everywhere we go on the South side of the Island.

Because he's out with us SO much, he sleeps almost all night and when he does wake, he goes to the balcony for a quick pee and then hops right back into bed with us. He misses his large yard at home, but he's adjusting very well to life in Hong Kong. Lots of doggy friends for him here.  

Mandy and Napoe. Napoe loves exploring Stanley in his travel bag.

 

What is life like in Hong Kong? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?

In the city, it's much like it would be in New York, London, etc., however we chose to live in Stanley, which is on the Southern peninsula of the Island. Dogaroo in Stanley Plaza is great for "dog products" like leashes and bowls and poop baggies. There's also a shop in Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chai which sells all things dog!

There is a vet in Stanley that's next to a groomer shop, and both are very reputable. I don't recall the name of the groomers but I believe the vet is simply Stanley Vet Center.  

I've not found a dog-friendly beach in Stanley, but I'm told that they exist. Napoe is welcome in the Taxis, and legally drivers can charge an additional $5HKD for him (less than .80 cents US). Sometimes they do, but most times they just think he's an adorable passenger and don't charge for him.  

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

Relax. Take things one day at a time. It's very likely that someone else has shared the same experience that you are facing. ASK QUESTIONS. Being independent and attempting to figure it all out might be "your style," but allow people to help you. Research and verify what you're told, but learn from the experiences that others have already had. Patience and a sense of humor are two key items!

 

Adventure time

 

Find out more about moving pets around the world by contacting PetRelocation.com.

 

Countries vary when it comes to pet import requirements and vaccines, but many do require vaccinations against Bordetella, or kennel cough.

This is interesting news, then: there's a new product on the market that allows the vaccine to be administered orally. Bronchi-Shield ORAL has recently been approved by the USDA and is the first vaccine of its kind.

Check out their website for more information, and if this is an issue that interests you then be sure to ask your vet about Bronchi-Shield ORAL at your next appointment. Pet travel is tricky sometimes, so anything that might make the process easier is welcome news!

 

It's Friday, once again! Before you unplug and unwind, enjoy these pet news links...

 

Cutting-Edge Pet Products via @CNBC (we especially like Slide 11!).

United has a new pet travel rule that's not making military members very happy.

A new survey of dog travelers reveals that yes, this is an important market niche.

Forget the Oscars. Dog News Daily held the first ever Golden Collar Awards in LA this week.

Is this the oldest cat video of all time?

For our compatriots: Pet-Friendly Places in Texas.

Presidents and their pets.

And yes, just for fun, Is Ryan Gosling Cuter Than a Puppy? Tough decisions!

 

George & Riley enjoy water sports on the weekends. What do you like to do with your pets?

-Two of our senior employees recently visited Hong Kong for the 2011 IPATA Conference. Read about their adventures moving a dog to mainland China and about the fun pet party they had at Pet World.

-A stolen dog is found and returned to his family after five years.

-Pet obesity: stats and information.

-Hometown pride! Austin Pets Alive! won the ASPCA $100K Challenge, so they'll be able to help many more pets find homes.

-Here are a few fun pet products from Dogster that'll come in handy for any upcoming holiday pet travel you may be planning.

-It's true, PetRelocation.com played a role in the Beagle Freedom Project efforts you've been hearing about. Check out the video if you haven't seen it yet!

It's been another busy week in the world of pet travel and pet shipping, so here are a few highlights in case you missed them!


-You're traveling with your pets this holiday season, but are you being environmentally conscious about it? Here's a green guide to pet travel.

-This pup has set a Guinness World Record for being the animal who has been photographed with the most celebrities (363!), having posed with the likes of Kristen Stewart, Bill Clinton and Kim Kardashian.

-It doesn't surprise us to hear the results of this American Pet Products study: more people own pets than ever before, and pet owners are happy to spoil their furry family members. 

-From fashion designer to animal rescuer: this New Yorker recently started the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund and creates clothing for dogs as well. 

-It's true: Dog Parks aren't for everyone. 

-More holiday pet travel tips.

-The new rules for moving pets to Panama.

-Of course you'd like to see a slide show of dogs playing in leaves.

Congratulations to Fluffy and Mittens (and their owner Fariha) for being named our Pet Move of the Month! Exporting pets from Pakistan isn't the easiest thing to do, but after plenty of careful planning these Persian kitties made it safely to Seattle. Thanks to Fariha for sharing this great pet travel story with us.

Is this the first time you’ve ever moved your pets?
Yes!

What were some of your concerns going into the move?
The distance between Pakistan and the USA. It's a journey that we dread and leaves us exhausted for days. For two delicate Persian cats, we were afraid they may not make it.

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?
Only the fact that it was so difficult to find a transporter. If there are other services available (besides PetRelocation.com), they are not known about in Pakistan and/or don't show up on a google search. 

How are the cats adjusting to the new location?
The cats seem quite well-adjusted. However, there are certain things they are still not used to but unfortunately are part of their new life. For one thing, in Pakistan we have huge concrete houses; here, the ground shakes every time someone walks & it seems to unnerve them.

What is life like in Seattle compared to Pakistan? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?
Seattle is hugely pet-friendly! But our cats are strictly indoors... We're afraid of the other cats on the street, and also of them getting lost. They go out onto the patio with us and love rolling around in the sun. It'll be interesting to see them when it gets colder, as the coldest it gets in Karachi is 55-60 degrees.

For us, it's comforting to know we're in a place that welcomes and loves animals. Also, that we have a choice when it comes to health care, facilities and products. All our neighbors have pets, and it seems that here not having one would be an unusual circumstance. Unlike back home, where pets are very unwelcome!
 
What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?
If their pet is part of their family -- like ours are -- they should seriously consider moving them too! I think it's helped us all settle in better and made the new house a home, just having them here.
 

Here are the top news stories from the past week, pet lovers. Enjoy your Friday, and then have a great labor day weekend!

-Do you have a favorite pet travel product that makes life easier? If you're still searching for those little things can make all the difference on the road, take a look at this list, which includes organic shampoo bars and a fiber optic safety collar. Cool stuff!

-When an Alaska woman walked outside to find her dachshund in the jaws of a black bear, she did what any protective (and very brave) pet owner might do -- she punched that bear in the face and saved her dog's life.

-This is interesting: Pet ownership is still all the rage in the US, but in Australia the numbers are fading. According to the Canberra Times, lifestyle changes have led to fewer pet owners.

-Beginners director Mike Mills recently held a photo contest to find the best rescue dog photo and here are the winners! These sweeties have some great stories.

-These U.S. Open Tennis stars are not only talented players, they're also a dedicated group of dog owners!

-What's it like to own a pet-friendly vacation rental? One dog-loving owner tells her story.

-Horse-friendly colleges. Yes, they exist!

-And to round everything up, here are a few pics of rabbits jumping over hurdles on an obstacle course. You're welcome.

Happy Friday, everyone! Before you head off into the weekend, catch up with the top pet news stories of the past week.

-A 7-year-old with epilepsy has written a book in order to raise money for a service dog that will help him manage his recurring seizures.

-A new study performed by the National Canine Research Council has found that banned breeds are no more aggressive than any other.

-This is hurricane season, y'all. What are your storm planning pet tips?

-Crazy photos of dogs shaking their heads. Seriously, they're crazy.

-No one is paying us to say it, but this is actually a cool product that'll help keep your dog hydrated during the hot summer (or anytime).

-Scientists have created a genetically modified Beagle that glows. They say this technology can hopefully be applied to humans and disease tracking.

-Managing pet travel and dog diabetes -- a blog post from Will My Dog Hate Me?

-Sometimes pet moves throw us curve balls. Read about Blue the cat and Sparta the Staffie.

Name: Vivien
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Cats
Pet Breed: Siamese mix
From: UK
To: Sri Lanka



We are moving to Sri Lanka in two to three months (about July 2011) and want to take our two 14-year-old cats with us. I have been told that Sri Lanka is not accepting cats from BSE infected countries at the moment. Does anyone know when or if this will change? Or is there a way we can get around this? They are both house cats and will remain so and have been with us since birth as their mother was mine too. Any help will be gratefully received.

Thank you,
Vivien

Hi Vivien,


Thank you for your question; we understand that this is a tough situation. We've previously discussed the issue of moving cats to Sri Lanka and found that it might not be possible. 

In case it helps, here are the pet import requirements for Sri Lanka as well as another link that you may find helpful. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we'd suggest you contact the relevant authorities:

Director General, Department of Animal Production & Health P.O. Box 13 P, readeniya 20400 , Sri Lanka Tel. 00-94-91-2388195, Fax. 00-94-81-2388619

Good luck figuring out your situation, Vivien, and please contact us if you need anything else.

Earth Day is not only an excuse to celebrate springtime, it's an opportunity to think about how we can do better. There's always room for improvement when it comes to recycling, reusing and reducing, and pet owners have specific ways they can lighten the load on Mother Earth.

This Earth Day, here are a few ways that pet owners can make a difference:

1. Spay and neuter your pets. This is the most important way you can avoid overpopulation and help preserve the earth's limited resources in the long run.

2. Choose toys and accessories made from organic, natural and biodegradable materials rather than chemical-laden plastics that take years longer to break down.

3. Reuse plastic bags from the grocery store as litter box liners and doggie clean-up bags.

4. When buying the pet products you need, try your best to support green companies (those with sustainable business practices, those that rely on natural ingredients, etc...).

5. Check the labels of shampoos and flea and tick treatments to avoid possibly dangerous chemicals (to humans and to the environment). This guide from the Natural Resources Defense Council will help you choose the smartest and safest products.

6. Visit your local farmer's market and support local entrepreneurs, who often use more earth-friendly methods due to their smaller-scaled operations.

7. For cleaning up messes, try to use basic cleaning ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar rather than hard-core cleaning liquids that may do harm to the environment when they re-enter the water supply.

8. If you're planning to travel with your pets, keep your car well-maintained in order to get the best gas mileage possible, and if you're planning to buy a dog-friendly car in the future, do your best to avoid a gas guzzler.

9. Go as paperless as possible. If your vet sends postcard reminders, ask her to email you instead. Unsubscribe from paper newsletters, and try to be removed from all junk mail lists.

10. Turn off the TV, ignore the car keys, and go for a walk. Exercise helps keep dogs healthy and happy, and it doesn't put a strain on the environment.

What are your earth-friendly pet tips? Share them here or on our Facebook wall!

A few months ago we featured several great pet bloggers in honor of the BlogPaws Conference, and since we love keeping up with all the latest pet trends and travel news, we thought it was time to do a more current round up of a few top pet blogs! Some you'll recognize and some you won't, but each of these sites has something important -- and often fun -- to add to the conversation.

Dog Jaunt
Thanks to plenty of timely and topical pet travel information, this remains one of our favorite pet travel blogs to read. Few other online pet enthusiasts provide as much "dog on the street" information as Mary-Alice Pomputius and her Cavalier King Spaniel, Chloe, and we always learn something when we check in with them.


FIDO Friendly
It's a print and digital magazine that covers all the bases of being a dog owner, and they have a pretty fun blog to boot. Enjoy the latest product reviews, celebrity news and travel information, and celebrate all the fun parts of being a pet owner.



Pete Wedderburn
This former veterinarian lives in Ireland and now devotes much of his time to answering pet health questions and covering animal issues through various media. Combining expert knowledge with smart commentary on current events, this blog's tone is both newsy and engaging.

The Bark
This one's a newer discovery for us, but its frequent pet news updates and real person, real time discussions (they recently launched an open thread called Off Leash) clearly make it an informative place to spend some time. Like FIDO Friendly, this is the companion blog to a magazine.


Will My Dog Hate Me?
The author of the light-hearted yet educational book of the same name also has a blog that's, you guessed it, light-hearted and educational. Follow the adventures of Frankie, a cute mixed breed pup who has inspired  his owner to cover topics like animal welfare, pet behavior and more.

What are your favorite go-to pet blogs? Share them with us here or on our Facebook page!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Pets influence holiday travel plans, survey shows

International pet travel survey finds travelers pick holiday lodging, destination with pets in mind

AUSTIN, Texas - November 9, 2010:  PetRelocation.com released today the results of its first annual Holiday Pet Travel Survey of more than 7000 pet owners worldwide, finding that sixty-three percent of pet owners say they travel at least 50 mi. (80 km.) with their pets during the holidays.

Staying Stateside

Of pet owners who travel with pets, a majority of them (71 percent) choose to travel within their state of residence during the holidays.  Twenty-eight percent travel out of the state, and eighty-five percent of those who travel with pets for the holidays said that their pets influence the distance of how far they'll travel for a holiday vacation.

Short and Sweet

Pet owners keep their holiday travel short and sweet.  Most pet owners surveyed (45 percent) typically spend between $50-$100 on pet-related products and services during the holiday season.  Eighty-five percent of those who travel with pets take holiday trips which last seven days or less, with the remainder of pet owners indicating their trips can last up to two weeks.  A majority of pet owners (57 percent) said their pets do not influence the length of their holiday travel.

Friends and Family

While a third of respondents said they stay at pet-friendly hotels during their holiday travel, 66 percent said they stay at the home of friends or family during the holidays.  This may have something to do with the availability of pet-friendly lodging during the holiday season-a majority of pet owners (85 percent) said that their pets influence where they choose to stay during the holidays.

Pets are Family, Too

Of those who travel with pets during the holidays, nearly all of them indicated they only travel with dogs.  When asked why they choose to travel with their pets, a majority of pet owners (71 percent) said it was "because pets are part of the family and should be with the rest of the family during holiday occasions."

Holiday Challenges

When traveling with pets during the holidays, 42 percent of pet owners listed making sure their pets don't become stressed as their biggest challenge.  Finding pet-friendly transportation or airlines was the second biggest challenge according to 28 percent of travelers with pets during the holiday season.  This is a similar sentiment to the 2010 Summer Pet Travel Survey (http://www.petrelocation.com/summer-pet-travel-survey) results in which pet owners indicated airline fees and airline selection as the most difficult road blocks in their pet travel plans.

About PetRelocation.com

PetRelocation.com, the pet travel and transportation industry's leading service provider, offers full-service arrangements using pet friendly airlines for domestic and international pet travel services.  Founded in 2004 in Austin, Texas, PetRelocation.com places a strong emphasis on assisting companies with relocating employees who own pets. For more information, please visit http://www.PetRelocation.com.

Media Contact: Rachel Farris, Rachel@PetRelocation.com / +1-512-264-9800 x124

 

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The perfect antidote to the noise and chaos of daily life is making the time to dive headlong into a good book. For those of us with dogs in our lives (and especially those who might be moving with their dogs!) , these peaceful moments are perfect for learning more about what makes our pups tick; for as much as we love our dogs, they often tend to be confusing bundles of instincts, emotions, nerves and personality quirks.

Ranging from light-hearted to a little more serious, these dog-themed books will hold your attention, provide a break from reality and maybe, just maybe, shed some light on the complex creatures we've made our companions.


Am I Boring My Dog? by Edie Jarolim

It’s fun to have a dog, but it’s not always easy. Follow the journey of a first-time dog owner (who also runs the pet travel blog Will my dog hate me?) as she encounters the joys and challenges of bringing a pup into her life. Filled with useful information and delivered in a tone that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this guide is both entertaining and informative.



Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell and Know by Alexandra Horowitz

Written by a psychology professor and dog lover, this thoughtful book explores the interior life of dogs by viewing the world from their unique perspective. The things that drive dogs’ behavior – their incredible senses of smell, their endless tendencies to watch their human companions – are discussed using careful research and reveal a point of view different from the average dog guide. For example, Horowitz steers clear of anthropomorphism and disagrees with the oft-touted “pack approach” to dog training.

One Nation Under Dog by Michael Schaffer

Over the past few years, much of society has elevated the status of dogs from tolerated to celebrated, a fact that has created countless profitable pet-related industries and shaped the landscape of public spheres and private lives. In his investigation of America’s dog culture – the products, the pampering and the humans behind it all – author Michael Schaffer finds that we are indeed a nation obsessed with our “fur babies.”



The Difficulty of Being a Dog by Roger Grenier, translated by Alice Kaplan

Comprised of forty three literary essays translated from French, this isn’t your average dog book. It’s certainly worth picking up, though; lovers of literature should appreciate the poetic writing style and will enjoy learning about the connections that have been forged between various authors and their dogs. This essay collection looks at dogs with a sense of wonder and affection, something we bet many of you will appreciate.