Austin Water Bikes - Pet Friendly!

My friend and I went on a water bike for the first time on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. The company is called Austin Water Bikes and I was delighted to see that they allowed dogs on the water bike with you. The bigger dogs would be best suited for this experience since they can balance on the pontoons. My little dogs would be in a carrier on my chest, but still, they could come if they wanted.

Here is a picture of me and my friend on the bikes. You can see how much room is on the pontoons and connecting stand. Also, it's not like you are speeding around on the water. You pedal as if on an upright bike and it makes the little propeller turn, slowly. It's a nice and easy experience for people of all ages - and their dogs! We had a blast.





In case anyone is in Austin, they are located behind the Hyatt and next to the Riverboat. It is also close to a leash free park. Their number is 512-200-6555

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

New Website Glitch, Airline Travel and Fostering Dogs

Well, so much for an easier website to use. I understand that people can't find it. So, we are back to this one for now. Since I haven't been blogging much, I wanted to cover a few topics. We have been at home for the last few month but are planning a few trips soon. I have been trying to figure out how I could travel with Seymour and Zooey on a plane. I haven't found any airlines that fly overseas that allows more than one pet in an under seat carry on. But I did find that Southwest Airlines allows 2 pets in one carrier if they fit in the right sized carrier and weigh less than 25 pounds total. I really can't see how even one 25 pound dog could fit in the size allowed, but maybe if they are small and muscular! Anyway, both of my dogs total approximately 12 pounds. I have a number of carriers that I am going to try out for size and fit. They have to be able to stand up and turn around in it. Also, the cost of traveling with a bet in the cabin is $75 per pet, each way. This is good compared to our overseas trip 2 years ago. We paid $150 going to Italy and $200 coming home. I'm not sure why there was a difference but since I wanted Seymour to come home with me, I paid. So the Southwest charge sounds reasonable. I can't think of anywhere I want to fly in the USA at this point, but it is good information. Our next trip will be either by car or camper. Fostering - I recently went to an animal shelter with my daughter. She was turning in her application to foster kittens so I wandered around the place, looking at dogs. It is not a good idea to look at dogs that need homes. But I heard myself back from scooping up another little one. I was drawn to a chihuahua mix that was the skinniest dog I have ever seen in person. You could see all of his bones, including his hip bones. I held him and he was calm. I asked about fostering him and they told me to fill out an application. I went home and started filling out the application with that dog on my mind. I called an hour later to be sure that dog was available for fostering. I just wanted to put a little meat on those bones and I felt that my dogs would do ok with him. I was told, by a different person that they don't foster little dogs and that this particular dog would probably be adopted quickly. This shelter only fosters puppies and big dogs. So, I wasn't able to take that sweet dog home and puppies or big dogs wouldn't work in our home. But I think that even if you don't want more dogs, or any permanent dogs or cats, looking into fostering might be the ticket.

New website for our blog

We have a new website. Follow us on www.travelswithapet.com. The new website should make it easier to find information I've written about our favorite products, our travels and pet friendly places. See you there!

Christmas Shopping With The Dogs

Earlier this year my daughter bought me a pet stroller. I must say I was a little embarrassed to use it - at first. But it has come in very handy, especially at this time of the year. Seymour and Zooey go with me as much as possible. They enjoy the outings because first, they like to be with me but more importantly, they like to have new ground to sniff. They know I always take them for a walk after we shop. Often I carry Seymour in the sling and Zooey is in my arms, resting on Seymour.




That works fine most of the time but for the holidays especially, I need 2 hands to shop.
So, I have been bringing the stroller with me and have been surprised at the number of people who asked where I got it. Some said they had old dogs that couldn't walk well anymore and some just thought it was "cute". Many did a double take expecting to see a baby and instead they saw 2 dogs peaking out! I always like when that happens :)
For Christmas, I added some decorations to the stroller. Both dogs fit in it with room to spare. As you can see in the picture below, Seymour takes the front while Zooey is squeezed in the back. She doesn't seem to mind.




I am surprised how much I have been using this. I took them in JCP, Best Buy, Ace Hardware and TJ Maxx with no problem. Maybe as more places see that dogs aren't always a problem, they will loosen their "no dogs" restriction. I am a big believer in allowing dogs that are in carriers in most places. In carriers, they can't pee on things, or nip at anyone and they usually elicit more positive comments than negative. Little by little, I hope we can be a more dog friendly country.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Another Reason I Love My Pets

It is a quiet Sunday morning with everyone cuddled on the couch. Zooey is chewing aggressively on her bone one minute and is asleep the next.



Seymour is sleeping under that blanket mound. All is right with our world.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Outcome from Pet Costume Contest Number 2

We went to the Halloween Costume contest this afternoon. It was held at a local nursing home and the proceeds benefited Wags Rescue, a local rescue group here in Wimberley. I like it because the residents get to see and pet the dogs.

Seymour and Zooey got 2nd place, behind some cute dogs dressed as a Univ of Texas football player and cheer leaders. We couldn't compete with that! But I think these two looked adorable also.




Seymour gets a bit stressed around big dogs but overall, he did fine. They both came home and took naps; well, all three of us did! I hate to tell them that I just heard of another Pet Costume Contest at Chick Fil-A!
Update: We didn't go to anymore contests. There is always next year!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sorry my posts are not posting. For some reason BlogPress has decided not to work with my Blogspot account. Still trying to fix it.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Problems with BlogPress