One of the biggest holiday barriers I’ve experienced is what to do with pets when I go on holiday. To travel abroad they need pet passports and even then you can only take them in the car (which limits your choice of destination). The other alternative is always kennels, a cattery, or unsuspecting, but kind, relatives and friends. There is always the difficult, halting phone call, “so ummmm, you know how you love Arthur (pet labrador, extremely friendly, loves jumping up at visitors)? Would you mind (please, please say yes) pet sitting for a week?” It is the worst cold call to make. And then you also have to find a suitable and lovely gift to say thank you. It always puts me off going away for a break. Well that and the dog’s face as I drive away, having left him in a strange place with strange people.
The thing is that our pets are part of our family. Mine have always had the same (if not more) importance and value than any of my partners. It was a momentous moment when I discovered that I could take my pooch on holiday with me. I just had to find accommodating holiday lets instead of focusing on luxury hotels or quiet B&Bs. By bringing Arthur along I was able to walk on the beach or in the woods without the niggling feeling that he would have probably really enjoyed himself. Instead, I was able to watch him galloping after sticks thrown into the sea, sniffing new dogs and enjoying the warm glow of a wood fire in a seaside pub.
For families with children, being able to holiday with your pet is a fantastic, bonding experience for them too. The school holidays and breaks away provide a chance for them to begin to learn the enjoyment of having a pet in a different environment and having the dog with you means that you have an excuse to take them on long, meandering walks.
Nowadays, it’s rare for me to even look at hotels for holidays, much preferring the comfort of staying with my family and pets in a well maintained and designed home. Having the dog with us, just heightens the feeling that we are a part of the community that we are visiting and truly makes the places we visit a home away from home.
