Let’s Hit the Road, Jack! Organizing Vacations With the ‘Portable Pooch’
by Melody Fee

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The hotel industry is responding to the "yelps" of pet owners who really want top service. In-demand hotel chains such as Loews, W, and Hotel Monaco are offering rooms that are not just "dog friendly" but are instead doggy divine! In fact, in some of these lovely properties, you will find special amenities for your clients' pets from the moment they check in (such as their own special bowl for water and a "welcome bone"). Fido may also find his own doggie room service and doggie duvet bed at several of these properties! In fact, at the W, doggies can get their own turn-down service and even a nighttime treat!

The Four Seasons will now accommodate dogs under 15 pounds. (I guess I'd better put my oldest Jack Russell terrier on a diet to stay there.) And, it is the standard at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota that pets are always welcome! In fact, pets are the norm at the Ritz Carlton, since so many of their "residents" in the luxurious condos owned at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota do also house their favorite pets. Talk about five-star service: Now, Fido has his OWN doorman!

Many of the smaller luxurious bed-and-breakfast inns around the United States also welcome pets on the go. When your client is looking for a "fall foliage" experience in Vermont, you may want to refer to one of the many Web sites that offer great tips on accommodations for four legged travelers. Two very informative Web sites include www.dogfriendly.com and www.petswelcome.com.

A few years ago, we took our two Jack Russell terriers, Sassy and Chloe, to a lovely bed and breakfast in Key West, Fla., for a "bikers week" vacation. And although we did not travel there by motorcycle (my pets demand a smoother ride on their vacation!), we DID find a great "bed and breakfast" inn that served breakfast to our pets! Each morning on our breakfast tray, we would find an assortment of doggie treats all tied up with pretty ribbons! And the "girls" really looked forward to that tray arriving each day! Of course, the opportunity to arrange full home rentals or cottage rentals in those popular destinations such as Orlando, where families are traveling with both "two legged" "and four legged" children is always a great opportunity as well. So many families love to have their own kitchen when they are traveling with children to destinations that they may be enjoying for an extended number of days.

Along with the hotels, airlines are trying to be pet friendly in many cases. Pets under 15 pounds are welcome in most cabins of major carriers. OSSN president Gary Fee was once bumped from a flight because the only remaining seat had been purchased for the favorite pet of another traveler! Airport dog parks are also a "hot trend" in doggie pampering. The "bone yard" at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has built a 2000 sq. ft. shaded play area located outside Terminal 4, and Austin's International Airport has a "figure eight" running area for pups on the go ( who need to stretch their legs before and after a long flight!)

So, if your clients are hesitating to leave Fido or "FiFi" behind this year, let them know that you have some great ideas to help them share their luxurious vacation experience with their very favorite friend! Their four-legged friend will thank you, and the commissions you earn will be YOUR reward for a job well done!