"Staycations" for Fido, too!
The following in an excerpt from a press release from Bull Dog Bag Company:
Dallas, TX. A recent poll discovered that an increasing number of people are foregoing the full-blown vacation route this year and choosing to do more "staycationing", taking smaller, local trips closer to home. With higher gas prices and an uneasy economy, more and more people are searching for fun, quick AND less expensive vacation options in their local area.
"We just couldn't afford to go anywhere this year", says Tamela Green of Westlake. "Driving would have cost us at least $300 or more by itself."
An unintended biproduct of this stay-closer-to-home-this-summer mindset has been that fewer dog owners who would normally board their dogs while on vacation are choosing to do so this year. Instead, they are simply opting to take their dogs with them on trips to places like local parks, nature preserves, hiking trails, the beach and camping.
"I had been planning to go to Colorado with my brother and a good friend of ours for well over a year", says Mike Brently of Addison, who was interviewed for this piece as he was purchasing a Bull Dog Bag. "But as the gas prices just kept going up higher and higher, setting records, like, every day, we had to start rethinking things. We hadn't bought our plane tickets yet, and decided we would take that money and just rent a car and drive to San Marcos or somewhere not too far from Dallas, but far enough away to feel like we were getting away from home for a while.
"I was going to put Jake (his Black Lab) in the kennel", he continued, "but after we had this change in plans, I was like, 'Well, I might as well take him with me.' He deserves a break, too, and plus it's not like I'm going so far away that putting him in a kennel would make sense. We're still going to be camping, so he can just ride down with us. My brother is planning on taking his dog as well. This tote (the Bull Dog Bag) will come in real handy."
Taking any trip with your dog can be fun, as long as you make the proper preparations. One thing to keep in mind is that some hotels DO allow dogs, but not all breeds, so do some research on any hotel you plan on staying in. And parks require that dogs remain on a leash at all times. You should also consider pet insurance to cover any mishap that may occur with your dog.
Dogs will require the same things as when they are at home: food, snacks, a leash, poop bags, and plenty of fresh water. In addition, vets recommend that dog owners also bring things like an in-car travel restraint, any medication, first-aid kit, nail clippers and scissors, and some sort of mat for the dog to lie on if you are doing things like camping or if the surfaces the dog will be on for an extended period of time becomes too hot. Most of these things can be easily carried in a Bull Dog Bag, a tote designed for dog owners that allow them to carry things for their dog in one complete package. Bull Dog Bags can be found in pet retailers Odyssey Pets in North Dallas, and K-9 University in Garland.
So, if you are considering doing a staycation this year or if your plans still include the vacation of your dreams, make sure man's best friend is included.
