Moving Cross Country...With My Beagle!?!?!?

Boy oh Boy I dont know what to tell you!
I didnt quite understand all the terms you used with the flying-as I have never flown, etc. But for me personally it would be driving. That is the only way I would have complete control and know that my pup was with me the whole way there and back. I would even set it up like an adventure with your FI and take turns driving and find some pet friendly hotel along the way at least for one night. Could be exciting adventure?

I guess I would have to meet the ppl that ran those other services, or at least speak with references of theirs or previous customers of theirs. If you spoke with 4 or 5 customers of theirs and they all say good things-that would make me feel tremendously better at least about handing over pup. But you mentioned he would be upset in the cargo area-I just wonder how upset he would get about being handed over to strangers for a long ride?

Anyhow-please let us know what you pick and how it goes, ok? This has been a big reason we have not taken many trips. Really dont even have a good doggy sitter around here-the vet is somewhat pricey and they definitely are OK-but dont give the beags any love or attention much. So I wont do that again unless its an emergency.

Good luck!! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
Judi and the gang in Iowa

I would definitely opt for flying him. A flight is a lot shorter than a Pet transporter. Furthermore, you have said yourself that he is really afraid of other people, and jump out at any noise. Pet Transporters involve people, flying your dog does not. Airline does not open the cage, which they usually lock with plastic ties because this is how dogs are lost. By opening the cage to take your frighten dog for a walk, a Pet Carryer could lose your dog.
Most dog do sleep in the plane ride just as they tend to sleep in a car ride. Although there is no doubt that the experience can be a difficult one, it is by far a much shorter one, with no immediate threat such as people approaching, talking, other dogs being taken in and out, crate being opened... By the time your dog worries a little, falls asleep, her you will be, greeting him at the other end of the trip.
You have 3 months to prepare. This is what I would do:
1- go to your vet, explain the situation, and ask that your dog be put on a psychotherapy (antidepressant) drug 1 to 2 months prior to the trip. They work well for humnan and they work well for dogs.
2- try to fly direct. If this is not possible, avoid changinf airline even if it means for you to have to drive to an airport a little further away from your homecity.
3- if you do not have one, get your crate right away and teach your dog to stay in the crate a little time each day, wqithout closing the door at first.
4- DO NOT drug your dog before the flight. This is actually now illegal. Drugs designed to make the animal sleepy lower the heart rate which put a dog in danger. It also lower the body temperature, and the dog needs his warmth to be comfortable during the flight. Compartment for live animal is not heated and is about at 5 to 10 degree celsius depending of the season.
5- rather than cargo, put your dog as an accompanied luggage. This mean that you will fly in the same plane as your dog, will be the one putting him at the belt as you check in, and will be able to get him immediately as you get your luggage. This also allow you to ask the airhostess to double check that your dog is in the plane as soon as you board. If you need to change flights, you can do that for each flight.
6- finally, don't be nervous. People travel with their dogs all the time and although you hear of the occasional story, there is far less chance for something to happen to your dog while flying than there is for the Pet transport to have a road accident. Further, if you are anxious, so will be your dog. Moving is an exciting time, especially to California. I'm jalous already. So make it a happy time. Talk happily to your dog about it, especially when you will start packing.
Remember that I am going in April to a Seminar who will be dealing with the issue of travelling with your dog. So if you have any particular question you feel no one has answered to your satisfaction, please don't hesitate to let me know. I will be happy to ask the specialist on your behalf.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

We"ve never flown with our pack and so our only experience was when Popcorn flew out here alone from Newfoundland - which was I think about eight hours plus a change in Toronto (and is about as far as you can fly place to place in Canada). Knowing now how scared she is of pretty much everything, I would have expected her to come out of the crate a complete physical and emotional mess - but really she was absolutely fine... relieved to get out and not fond of all of the airport noise, but fine.

I still don't know if I would be comfortable flying them if we had a choice (other than from absolute necessity...) We do have lots of friends who do it and have no problems (including one with a very timid vizsla who flies a lot, no problems). I read somewhere that one of those really big new planes has a small third deck on it, and the story I read said they could put pool tables or the like there - my thought was that it should be doggie class (even with a little grass patch..), so that people could fly with their pets and not "bother" any of the other passengers!

Wow, you are doing the exact opposite of what I did. I left So Cal for Wisconsin 13 years ago. I love the midwest. Anyway, what city are you going to be in? One thing you may want to check into is the rules the California State Agricultural Dept has about bringing pets into the state. I believe you just have to have his shots up to date, but I would still check just in case the rules have changed since I left.

If I were you, I would drive. It took 36 hours to get from Riverside, CA to where I am at now. But, we didn't do it in one shot. We would drive about 8 hours or so a day, not pushing things. We found many pet friendly hotels along the way. It's a great way to see the country. Nebraska is kind of flat, so that was the only boring part. But, we would stop and let the dog out and stretch our legs about every three hours or so. It wasn't too bad.