Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[DUTRAVEL]

Wish me luck, all,

Scooter and I are going to our puppy socialization class all by ourselves tomorrow. Hubby cannot go. I finally drove on Thursday for the first time since March 4. The PT thinks everything looks good so far on the left ankle, but I don't want to push it. I'm allowed some weight on it after being completely non-weight bearing since surgery.

 

 

Hope it went well for you and Scooter today Barb.

 

Dianne

[Algebralovr]

Thanks, Holly and Dianne!

 

Scooter and I managed. Another puppy parent helped us in and out of the building. He wanted to pull really hard. We've been working on the pulling, but we get there and it all goes bye-bye.

 

Plus, he had more energy than usual. None of my puppy walkers were available this afternoon to walk him, so he had only the walking I could give him. Not enough.

 

I've got another couple of weeks before I can do any serious walking. I cannot wait!

 

Meanwhile, we work on "off"

[DisneyKidsDad]

OK...I know it's been a while since I posted anything. But work and life has been keeping me pretty busy. So here is a picture I took last night of my "lap dog" Sutter. He will be a year old on Thursday. He is gonna be a hard one to see go in November.

[thephantomsgirl]

Awwww.....nothing like a lap dog! :)

 

Holly

[S.S. Cruisers]

Sutter loves his daddy! :D for now, :( for November....

[rangeley]

OK...I know it's been a while since I posted anything. But work and life has been keeping me pretty busy. So here is a picture I took last night of my "lap dog" Sutter. He will be a year old on Thursday. He is gonna be a hard one to see go in November.

 

Awwww he's a cutie!

 

Omg Nancy too funny

Edited April 12, 2016 by rangeley

[wizard-of-roz]

That sounds so awful, I can't even think about that happening.

 

Henri is on heartworm and flea medication. We were given the topical Frontline by CCI. What is the flea and tick oral chew and is it approved by CCI?

 

Dianne

 

I called the Vet at CCI Santa Rosa before I started Horton on it. They like it and do recommend it along with the Heartguard every month. It's called NexGuard and Horton loves it!!!! It's a bit pricey but so much easier to use than the drops.

[wizard-of-roz]

Question for solo-cruisers:

 

Have any of you ever cruised alone with a service dog? If so, how did you handle the dog at the pool? If the dog has a rock-solid down-stay, would you leave him within sight of the pool so you could swim? Would you tether him to something? Or just not swim?

 

First be very careful to not walk your dog on the decking that is exposed to the sun.......it's so, so hot! I tie him to a chair, in the shade, and use a "down/stay." I check on him constantly and reassure him that he's doing a great job. I NEVER leave him for longer than a 20 minute swim. If that.

 

Most of my cruises are in warm weather climates so I don't like to leave him out, even in the shade, for too long.

[wizard-of-roz]

We're on board, preparing for safety drill in 40 minutes.

 

Holland America has treated us royally. We were escorted through arrivals to a very professional lady who took us to a check-in station for the photo, key cards, etc. she then personally took us onto the ship, no waiting at all. She radioed ahead and we were met by a Guest Relations supervisor who escorted us to our stateroom and told us where we would find the relief box. The room had an assistive hearing devise for door etc (Raylene already serves that purpose.)

 

We went down to the promenade deck forward, and there were two boxes in a protected area out if the wind or rain, side by side, one tagged with Raylene's name and the other for "Louie." Looking forward to meeting him! Ray hasn't used it yet, just sniffed, but that's normal. She resists the idea but eventually gives it up.

 

Had a peaceful, civilized lunch in the main dining room, followed by a glass of champagne up in the Crow's Nest Lounge by invitation for repeaters (Mariners Club.) Now just awaiting luggage but of course we had some dog food packed in our carry on, so we're fine for now.

 

So far, we are off to a great start! Love Holland America Line.

 

My DH loved HAL more than Princess. They really do take wonderful care of their guests and our Service Dog, Brenda. I wouldn't hesitate to cruise with them again. It's just a bit of a drive down to San Diego. We would stay in the hotel right across from the dock. Very nice and easy parking and walking right across the street to the pier.

 

I haven't cruised out of San Diego in years. I may look into it for a filler cruise.

Edited April 12, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[wizard-of-roz]

Thanks Barb - if its safe and effective it would be so much easier than the topical treatment.

 

Dianne

 

Dianne, it's so much easier and, as I said, Horty loves it! Of course, he loves anything he can chew!!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

OK...I know it's been a while since I posted anything. But work and life has been keeping me pretty busy. So here is a picture I took last night of my "lap dog" Sutter. He will be a year old on Thursday. He is gonna be a hard one to see go in November.

 

Oh!!!! What a lovebug!!!!!

Edited April 12, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[DUTRAVEL]

OK...I know it's been a while since I posted anything. But work and life has been keeping me pretty busy. So here is a picture I took last night of my "lap dog" Sutter. He will be a year old on Thursday. He is gonna be a hard one to see go in November.

 

So sweet. I honestly don't know how you puppy raisers do it, but I am very thankful.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

I called the Vet at CCI Santa Rosa before I started Horton on it. They like it and do recommend it along with the Heartguard every month. It's called NexGuard and Horton loves it!!!! It's a bit pricey but so much easier to use than the drops.

 

That's good that it is "CCI" approved. I am definitely going to check if Henri can switch to this.

 

Dianne

[dobiemom]

Hi there! HAL's newest ship, the Koningsdam, is on her Premier sailing and they just had the Mariner Reception. Yaska the service dog received her 100-day medallion! :) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49704453&postcount=360

[rangeley]

I called the Vet at CCI Santa Rosa before I started Horton on it. They like it and do recommend it along with the Heartguard every month. It's called NexGuard and Horton loves it!!!! It's a bit pricey but so much easier to use than the drops.

 

I don't know how much it is out there but our vet said 55.00 a pill. Lasts for 3 months. And she said the price was going up soon. Also it doesn't work until the tick bites them, doesn't repel. Being so close to Connecticut, which is tick heaven, we are sticking with the liquid stuff. I will probably switch him over at some point, but right now I have a bunch of tubes left that we got free from iaadp.

Edited April 13, 2016 by rangeley

[Insuregal]

I don't know how much it is out there but our vet said 55.00 a pill. Lasts for 3 months. And she said the price was going up soon. Also it doesn't work until the tick bites them, doesn't repel. Being so close to Connecticut, which is tick heaven, we are sticking with the liquid stuff. I will probably switch him over at some point, but right now I have a bunch of tubes left that we got free from iaadp.

 

Good morning Cindy,

That price sounds like the cost for a package of 3 pills, taken one each month. We live on a farm, with lots of trees and shrubs in our yard, not to mention wild critters that come up to and over our fence. Not once have we found a tick on Gibson since we started these chews, instead of the liquid stuff. Very strange way for the medicine to work; not repelling, but killing the tick after it gets on the animal.

 

As long as the liquid product works, and Wexler doesn't mind it, why not go with the most economical thing. Diana has never joined the IAADP, not sure why... She is a bargain hunter extraordinaire.

 

Happy Thursday!

Beckie

[S.S. Cruisers]

Hi there! HAL's newest ship, the Koningsdam, is on her Premier sailing and they just had the Mariner Reception. Yaska the service dog received her 100-day medallion! :) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49704453&postcount=360

Hi! Dobiemom! Those are great pictures of Yaska! Go going girl. Keep up the cruising......:D

 

Hope everyone has a great end of week.

[rangeley]

Good morning Cindy,

That price sounds like the cost for a package of 3 pills, taken one each month. We live on a farm, with lots of trees and shrubs in our yard, not to mention wild critters that come up to and over our fence. Not once have we found a tick on Gibson since we started these chews, instead of the liquid stuff. Very strange way for the medicine to work; not repelling, but killing the tick after it gets on the animal.

 

As long as the liquid product works, and Wexler doesn't mind it, why not go with the most economical thing. Diana has never joined the IAADP, not sure why... She is a bargain hunter extraordinaire.

 

Happy Thursday!

Beckie

 

I think we will switch over when all our liquid is gone. I hate that stuff on his back. He also loves to roll on the bed after I put it on. It gets everywhere. John is a teacher so I try to put it on a Friday so the kids don't have to touch it. Don't want those little ones to get it on their hands and then put them in their mouths.

[Algebralovr]

I don't know how much it is out there but our vet said 55.00 a pill. Lasts for 3 months. And she said the price was going up soon. Also it doesn't work until the tick bites them, doesn't repel. Being so close to Connecticut, which is tick heaven, we are sticking with the liquid stuff. I will probably switch him over at some point, but right now I have a bunch of tubes left that we got free from iaadp.

 

I paid $24.02 for the NexGard for his weight group for one month. I believe that is 25 to 60 lbs.

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi there! HAL's newest ship, the Koningsdam, is on her Premier sailing and they just had the Mariner Reception. Yaska the service dog received her 100-day medallion! :) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49704453&postcount=360

 

That is so cool....Brenda should have gotten one of those.....She had finished her 15th cruise before she passed. She had more than 100 days in her portfolio. Horton doesn't have quite 100 yet! Got to keep cruising!

[wizard-of-roz]

Cindy, neither of my dogs have liked the liquid. Brenda used to balk when she'd see me getting the box down to apply the liquid and Horton would rub himself against his bed. I knew the stuff was getting on everything and it left the fur on their backs looking all oily. They didn't like it and neither did I.

 

The chewable is so much easier and Horton loves it. I wish they had it when Brenda was here!

[DisneyKidsDad]

Sutter turned 1 year old yesterday! He's a real party animal!!

[thephantomsgirl]

Sutter turned 1 year old yesterday! He's a real party animal!!

 

 

I LOVE this! Happy Birthday Sutter. :)

[thephantomsgirl]

I just changed my upcoming cruise. Alaska has always been on my Bucket List.

 

Disney just released its summer 2017 dates a few days ago. I knew I couldn't afford it solo so had put it out there that I'd like to find someone to go with that was okay with a service dog in the cabin.

 

Well, one of my FB friends said she would go! Her husband has a hearing dog, so she's comfortable with service dogs. We've been friends on FB for a long time, and funnily enough had booked the same cruises several times. For various reasons we never did sail together.

 

With not being solo, it turns out I will be paying less for a 7 day, than I would have on the 4 day. Granted we are going inside, but it'll work. She also lives outside of Seattle so I could fly into there AND I have more than enough miles with Southwest to cover it. Win/win!

 

My friend Cari (who also comes on here occasionally) told me that really only needed the Rabies certificate. Did some research and that seems to be the case. Will think about getting a 7001 form just in case.

 

What paperwork have you gotten for those who have gone to Alaska? It sails out of Vancouver so Canada is in the mix.

 

Holly

[DisneyKidsDad]

I just changed my upcoming cruise. Alaska has always been on my Bucket List.

 

Disney just released its summer 2017 dates a few days ago. I knew I couldn't afford it solo so had put it out there that I'd like to find someone to go with that was okay with a service dog in the cabin.

 

Well, one of my FB friends said she would go! Her husband has a hearing dog, so she's comfortable with service dogs. We've been friends on FB for a long time, and funnily enough had booked the same cruises several times. For various reasons we never did sail together.

 

With not being solo, it turns out I will be paying less for a 7 day, than I would have on the 4 day. Granted we are going inside, but it'll work. She also lives outside of Seattle so I could fly into there AND I have more than enough miles with Southwest to cover it. Win/win!

 

My friend Cari (who also comes on here occasionally) told me that really only needed the Rabies certificate. Did some research and that seems to be the case. Will think about getting a 7001 form just in case.

 

What paperwork have you gotten for those who have gone to Alaska? It sails out of Vancouver so Canada is in the mix.

 

Holly

 

You are going to love the Disney Alaska cruise. We did it 3 years ago and are doing it again in August. Last time we got the international health cert. We will this time too. Last time the guy at the border in the airport told us we needed to check the box for livestock. My wife did some checking and indeed it should be checked even for service dogs. That and the usual vaccination paperwork and your all set.