[NAGDU] Flying With Our Dogs

[Daryl Marie]

Sandra,

I have used Rescue Remedy with great success when flying or in other very stressful situations. When Jenny's ears were bothering her during HUGE weather and pressure changes, particularly in the spring, I have used it to take some of the edge off, because until very recently there hasn't appeared to be anything else that works for the pain.

When flying, I have given her Rescue Remedy while we're waiting at our gate. It takes abut 15-20 minutes to really work, but I've been in situations where Jenny has shown stress signals, I've given it to her, and it's worked within just a few minutes.

You can get it just about anywhere... I've always bought mine from Amazon. It comes in a small bottle with an eye dropper. I squeeze the top of the dropper while the bottle is still closed, then open the lid. Jenny knows what Rescue Remedy is, and will actually walk right up to me when I open the bottle and just put the end of the dropper right into her mouth. Some dogs will let you put it in their water; Jenny isn't one of them.

The other thing I've used are MuttMuffs. They are earmuffs that go over the dog's ears that protect against very loud or high-pitched noises. I use them more for loud concerts or hockey games rather than flying; for me, they've paid for themselves.
www.muttmuffs.com

----- Original Message -----
From: S L Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: S L Johnson <SLJohnson25 at comcast.net>
Sent: Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:18:25 -0700 (MST)
Subject: [NAGDU] Flying With Our Dogs

Hello:

I don’t know about any of you but, I absolutely hate going through security. 
I’ve gone through for many years with several previous and now my present 
dog. Some dogs do fine but some get quite nervous when a stranger is 
patting them down and touching them all over reaching under their harness 
and collar. I know some people who use an all nylon or leather collar/leash 
combination with no metal parts to go through airport security. I am 
seriously considering this because Eva got nervous when all those big burly 
guards with guns surrounded her and touched her while she was working. 
Normally she’s a friendly dog but, in that situation, it was obvious she 
didn’t like it at all.

While we are on the subject of flying, can we discuss stress and anxiety. 
Eva is an excellent guide, she’ll guide me through the airport, to security, 
to our gate, down the jet way onto the plane and to my seat. She’ll be 
fine until she hears the motors start and feels the vibrations through the 
floor. Then she begins to shake. I talk to her calmly and pet her to 
provide comfort. Then I remembered trainers telling us not to make a big 
deal if the dog seems to be afraid so, I don’t pay attention to her. Then 
she’ll keep trying to get up and move toward the isle and off the plane. 
Once we land, she is anxious to get off but, once we leave the plane, She’ll 
calm down immediately and her work is excellent. When I flew to the 
convention in July a US Air flight attendant felt so sorry for Eva that she 
gave her one of the airline’s fleece blankets thinking it might make her 
more comfortable and relaxed. When I got up to leave that flight the 
attendant told me to take Eva’s blanket in case it would help us on the next 
flight but, it didn’t help. Eva still has that blanket and she loves it.

I’m not flying anywhere this holiday season but, I’d appreciate any advice 
and suggestions because I know we’ll be flying in the future. . I know 
some of you would suggest Rescue Remedy. Where can I get it? Are there any 
side effects? How much should be used and? How long do you give it before 
the flight?

Sandra and Eva, who wants to stay on the ground