Paws and Reflect
August 2007

In This Issue:
Traveling With Pets or Bed & Biscuit Services?

This time of year, with summer vacation in full gear, families are planning trips. Vacations are a great excuse to round up the family for a journey by car—that is, if you have enough CDs, games, and cup holders to keep the kids busy—or hop a plane before school starts again. This can also be a great time to include the family pet, especially if you’ve got a dog, cat, or other animal that would enjoy the trip—the pet and the family can “ruff” it together. However, be sure as the date for departure approaches that you are prepared to indulge the fuzzy wiles of your four-legged family member.

Taking your pet along for vacation can be fun, but it can also have its share of challenges. It can be an endurance ride of hourly stops without any pet-friendly places to stay. Flying can be difficult and expensive with pets. Sightseeing can be dicey when it’s too hot to leave the pet in the car and the pet would rather see a squirrel in a tree than the Grand Canyon. Whatever the plan, when the luggage emerges from storage, some pets get nervous about impending change. These helpful tips can make those vacations with your furry friend(s) more enjoyable.

Don't make a long trip the first trip. You need to know before you depart whether your pet is car-tolerant (or that your pet fits under the seat in the passenger compartment of the plane). Make short trips with a new pet to determine whether they're ready for a longer ride. If you know that your pet doesn't handle the highway well, call the hospital to discuss whether a mild sedative to make the trip would be advisable.
Keep your pet hydrated. Don't overlook the importance of plentiful drinking water. Stop often for water breaks, especially if you can't stabilize a small water dish in the area where your pet will be most of the journey. You might want to invest in a collapsible nylon water bowl (available at most pet stores) which can easily tuck into a diaper bag, purse, or fanny pack.
Make regular stops. Be sure to plan for ten-minute walk breaks to keep your pet comfortable and accident-free, making sure to keep it on a leash and away from areas with moving traffic.
Never leave them in a very hot car or a very cold car! Also, never leave them in direct sunlight; always park in the shade. And leave a window open enough for airflow but not for escape.
Make a safe place. Don't allow your pet to ride on your lap, or wander too much around your car— set up a blanketed area and if necessary, install a pet fence to keep them from disturbing you while you drive. Also, don't let your pet ride with its head outside the windows: it can lead to eye and ear injuries, or more if your vehicle is involved in an accident.
Don't forget to pack your pet's medications. Make sure your dog is current on vaccinations and Heartworm and flea preventative. Print and bring in this webpage and buy a 6-pack of Frontline or Advantage Flea and Tick Preventative and get the 7th dose free ($18.00 value). Remember that ticks can cause Lyme disease. Also take along an extra ID tag, litter box if appropriate, and familiar food. Don't try to change your pet's diet while away from home. It will be too stressful. Pack favorite toys and bedding.
Get your pet micro-chipped. Pet identification microchips are injected by a needle under the skin between the pet's shoulder blades. The procedure takes only a few minutes but will last forever. The chips contain an alphanumeric code that can be used to obtain owner information from an international database. About 6 million pets have the chips and countless have been reunited with their owners because of the chips—they are responsible for a pet recovery every six minutes in the United States. If your pet does NOT have a microchip, call our clinic to make arrangements. In appreciation for your business, print and bring this webpage to Eberle Animal Hospital and receive a microchip for $40.00 (save $20.00) before your trip.
Lost Pet? Take a current photo of your pet along on the trip so that you can make "Lost Pet" fliers if you need to. Also, call local veterinarians as well as animal hospitals to give them your travel and home contact info in the event they find your pet. Hopefully, a microchip has been implanted in your pet which would make the search more successful.

If your vacation does not include Fluffy or Fido, waving goodbye can unleash a font of guilt for pet owners who worry about whether temporary caretakers will suitably feed, walk and love their charges. You can board with us with confidence. If you decide not to take your pet, remember that Eberle Animal Hospital has excellent boarding facilities so, if traveling with your pet is not possible this summer...give your pet a vacation, too! Enjoy our Bed and Biscuit specials, good until September 1, 2007!

We treat our boarders like our own family members.

The facility is totally indoor, heated, and has central air conditioning with ceiling and exhaust fans to provide maximum comfort. All dogs are leash walked, medicated (if necessary) and checked by staff morning and evening 7 days a week to ensure that house training is maintained (additional nature walks upon request). For the discriminating pets, we offer boarding extras:

Nature Walks on the Walnut Creek Trail
Pamper and Playtimes
Spa Packages (includes Nature Walk for dogs or Pamper and Play for cats, Bath and Blow dry, Brush out, and Nail Trim)
Bath and Brush combination Packages
Furmination Packages (Intense and Effective De-shedding Treatment)

Housing choices are made to provide maximum comfort to the pampered pet, based on needs and size of animal—owners are encouraged to bring favorite toys, blankies, or beds. Guests are fed only premium Hills Pet Foods (Science Diet) or our natural, organic line of food unless the owner specifies otherwise. New clients are encouraged to inspect the housing area before leaving their pets.

Remember that dogs and cats have a tremendous capacity for situational devotion—even though they are thrilled when families return, they are eager participants in the boarding environment at the clinic. They enjoy their walks, attention from staff, stimulation from client visits, and other boarders.

Many of us won’t leave home without our pets, and others welcome a week of freedom without pet responsibility. Whatever your choice, enjoy the remaining Dog Days of Summer and please let us know if we can help you in any way. Check out the vacation boarding specials below...summer will be over before we know it!

Vacation Boarding Specials

FREE Nature Walk per week for all dogs staying a week or more
FREE Kitty Cuddle per week for all cats staying a week or more
FREE Pamper & Play per week for all boarders staying a week or more
FREE Day Spa Package for new first time boarders! This includes a nature walk for dogs (a pamper-and-play for cats), a bath & brush and toenail trim
Half-price Baths or Day Spas for any boarder

Current Vaccinations Required: Prior to boarding, proof of current vaccinations must be presented. This is both for your pet’s protection and the protection of other boarders. We can update the requirements during drop-off for boarding or will accept proof of vaccination record from another clinic (Faxed to 727-5575 or dropped off with pet).

Reservations: Due to the quality of boarding and care provided, our facility fills up fast, especially around holidays. Please reserve space well in advance. A credit card number will hold your reservation. To schedule your pet’s vacation or spa day, call the clinic at 727-5757 or contact us online at dreberle@eberleanimalhospital.com.

Admissions and Discharges: Your pet will be admitted and discharged during regular office hours. If you have elected a Spa Day or Bath for your pet on the final day of vacation, please schedule pick-up between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

Enjoy your family trip!

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