Tips For Traveling With Pets On Airplanes

by Xtreme Grandparents: Rubin Carson and Marilynn Record

"Charlie and Tija are dying to talk to you. Should I put them on the phone? "Don't bother. You'll be here in a few days."

That would be Bonnie, our dear L.A. ex-pat friend who lives in Southwest France and visits us once per year. We love Bonnie, and we love her two terriers, Charlie and Tija. She eats with them, sleeps with them, and insists we call them "granddogs". For you thousands of poochaholics desiring to become frequent international flyers, here's how Bonnie pulls it off.

One week prior to departure, Bonnie places kennel carriers stuffed with favorite teddies, water dish, and faux dinosaur bones at the front door. This ploy gets granddogs to realize that soon they'll be jetting to Grandland. Bonnie used to fear that animals would hate flying due to cramped conditions in the carriers. No longer. Now she considers them "luggage with a heartbeat".

A friend drives them two hundred miles to Hyatt Regency DeGaulle, the most elegant airport hostelry in the universe. Hyatt provides monogrammed doggie croissants, in-room silver water dishes, and twin sleeping pads. Bonnie thought that a five-star overnighter would get the easily spooked granddogs used to the roar of take-offs and landings. Oops! Windows are triple-glazed and you can't hear a peep from outside. No matter. Everyone gets a good night's sleep plus complimentary doggie breakfast specials that change every day.

BONNIE'S DOG FLYAWAY GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL:

1. Feed pets no less than four hours before departure. Why? Dogs and turbulence don't mix. 2. At check-in, present vet's certificate of health from not more than ten days prior plus proof of rabies shot within last twelve months. 3. Pets are first to be loaded and first to be taken off. Stay with them till departure and be there to greet them upon arrival. 4. No tranquilizers for pets. You take one instead. 5. Bonnie prefers Air Tahiti Nui because they fly direct Paris - L.A.- Tahiti. She also feels safer because she figures there's nothing to bomb in Tahiti.

The best part of being a long-distance grandparent is returning from LAX with our little family and watching TV for two weeks straight. Bonnie gets to choose soaps, Charlie and Tija get to bark their heads off at horse racing replays, and we get the greatest joy of all- just looking at our granddogs and their mommy. Air Tahiti Nui: (310) 662-1860 Hyatt Regency Paris Charles DeGaulle: 011-33-148171234