How to Pack a Fish, and Other Reader Tips

Several months ago, we asked Travel section readers to share theirtips on traveling with pets. Here are some of our favorites.

"A few years ago, my sister brought her dog (part Great Pyrenees,100 percent stupid) to visit my parents, who live on the Maine coast.Malone roams at every opportunity, so my father took an old dog tagwith his name, address and phone number on one side and put labels onthe other, reading, 'Malone, a visitor from Virginia.' "

Martha MacIlvaine

Waldoboro, Maine

"Good resources, especially for lodging, includewww.traveldog.com, www.travelpets.com and www.dogfriendly.com.Another good resource is www.dogpark.com -- to locate dog parks inthe area where you'll be."

Nancy Birnbaum

Arlington

"Bring along an ample supply of whatever drinking water your petis used to, whether from your own tap or designer water. Like us,they can suffer intestinal distress."

Deb Daly

Arnold, Md.

"After finding that our dog barked at noises if we left her alonein the hotel room, we now create her own 'den' by blocking off partof the room that includes her bed, water and toys. She feels lessvulnerable in a smaller space. Also, we leave on the air unit (atleast the 'fan' setting) to make white noise."

Sherri Hunter

Arlington

"After getting over his initial shock about living in a motelroom, our cat, Elliott, got restless at night. He had nothing to do,and motel rooms are small for a cat used to zooming up and down threeflights of stairs. I discovered that if I opened every drawer andcabinet door partway, he'd climb in -- and play hide and seek. Thisrelieved some of his nocturnal boredom."

Jan Kunz

Annapolis

"Traveling with any pet requires a bit of resourcefulness, buttraveling with Attilla the Siamese fighting fish was an interestingchallenge. While planning a plane trip to Las Vegas, we were facedwith what to do with Attilla. Boarding him in a kennel was not anoption, and leaving him home as a possible hors d'oeuvre for our catdid not seem a wise plan. So we decided to take him to Las Vegas --after all, being such a fancy fish, we thought he'd fit right in. Wehalf-filled a jelly jar with water to leave some breathing room. Wewrapped the jar with some foam sheets that would keep him warm andprotect the jar, and we used a secure lid that would not leak. Wepacked his fish food in my carry-on bag."

Carol Winet

Chantilly

"For first-time travelers, I'd recommend a short 'warm-up' trip.The local beaches or mountains are a good short trip from D.C. When Itake our dog, C.N., I like to plan some kind of activity for her,like a hike in the mountains. Usually, if the dog is well-behaved anddoesn't get carsick on a short ride (30-40 miles), it likely will dowell on a longer trip."

Liz Kelley

Hanover, Md.

"Take a picture of your pet before you leave and have copies withyou when you travel. Despite your best precautions, your pet may getlost. You'd be surprised by how many people can't identify differentbreeds from a written description."

Gary Goldberg

Silver Spring

"I always get two copies of my pet's vaccination records and keepone copy in the glove box of my car. That way, if he needs to beboarded, gets into trouble or warrants medical attention, theinformation is at hand. My vet's letterhead is also on it, with hisphone and fax numbers, if there are any questions."

Pat Firey

Oakton

"If you leave your pet in the hotel room while you go exploring,always put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. That way your petisn't alarmed, and the hotel staff isn't startled."

Debbie Brown

Fairfax

"Water is critical when traveling with cats. I always hydrate mineat least twice a day, sometimes more. If they won't drink on theroad, ask your vet for large syringes; it's easier than giving them apill. These are used to squirt them in the mouth. I wrap my cats in atowel so that I can hold them snug around the neck with one hand,brace them against my chest, then worm the pointed part of thesyringe in the side of their mouth and slowly depress as theyswallow. "

Michele Tetley

Arlington

"On the first night we arrive, we always try to stay in -- eitherorder pizza or carryout. That way Katie, our West Highland terrier,gets familiar with her new surroundings and doesn't mind being leftthe next day. We, of course, learned this the hard way. One time wearrived at a new place, dropped her off and headed out. When we gotback, we found that she had unpacked our suitcases for us."

Judi McKinnis

Alexandria

"Respect hotel rules. Don't ruin it for those who come after you.If the hotel policy says you can't leave your pet unattended, don't."

Catherine Roberts

Fairfax

"At the end of a day on the road, do not rush to offer your petfood. If he is like our Sam, he will eat a huge meal and deposit thecontents of the entire day's travel on the rug 10 minutes later."

Nora Jean Levin

Washington

"Train your dog to stay in the car until you let him out. Use'wait' until you can attach his leash or it is safe. Use 'stay' ifyou don't want him to get out (for a short stop, like changingdrivers). Many dogs are lost or hit by cars when they jump out of thecar when the owner gets out."

Carol Crane

St. Leonard, Md.

"Unless your pet is very neurotic and high-strung, avoid giving itsedatives. The noise and vibration of the airplane taking off mightbe frightening at first, but your pet will quickly settle down. Wefound that our cats hated being on sedatives more than the planetrip. The sedatives didn't put them to sleep but caused the cats toyowl and cry the entire time until the effects wore off. It was amiserable trip for all of us."

Bonnie Joranko

Arlington

"Keep a travel bag packed for your dog. In addition to the usualstuff (bowls, leashes, dog first-aid kit, towels, plastic bags for"pick-up," etc.), include an umbrella (for walking in the rain); aflashlight (for walking at night); a copy of your rabies certificateand shot records; a roll of paper towels; and a couple of jugs ofwater from home."

Isabelle Chewning

Falls Church

How to Pack a Fish, and Other Reader Tips

Several months ago, we asked Travel section readers to share theirtips on traveling with pets. Here are some of our favorites.

"A few years ago, my sister brought her dog (part Great Pyrenees,100 percent stupid) to visit my parents, who live on the Maine coast.Malone roams at every opportunity, so my father took an old dog tagwith his name, address and phone number on one side and put labels onthe other, reading, 'Malone, a visitor from Virginia.' "

Martha MacIlvaine

Waldoboro, Maine

"Good resources, especially for lodging, includewww.traveldog.com, www.travelpets.com and www.dogfriendly.com.Another good resource is www.dogpark.com -- to locate dog parks inthe area where you'll be."

Nancy Birnbaum

Arlington

"Bring along an ample supply of whatever drinking water your petis used to, whether from your own tap or designer water. Like us,they can suffer intestinal distress."

Deb Daly

Arnold, Md.

"After finding that our dog barked at noises if we left her alonein the hotel room, we now create her own 'den' by blocking off partof the room that includes her bed, water and toys. She feels lessvulnerable in a smaller space. Also, we leave on the air unit (atleast the 'fan' setting) to make white noise."

Sherri Hunter

Arlington

"After getting over his initial shock about living in a motelroom, our cat, Elliott, got restless at night. He had nothing to do,and motel rooms are small for a cat used to zooming up and down threeflights of stairs. I discovered that if I opened every drawer andcabinet door partway, he'd climb in -- and play hide and seek. Thisrelieved some of his nocturnal boredom."

Jan Kunz

Annapolis

"Traveling with any pet requires a bit of resourcefulness, buttraveling with Attilla the Siamese fighting fish was an interestingchallenge. While planning a plane trip to Las Vegas, we were facedwith what to do with Attilla. Boarding him in a kennel was not anoption, and leaving him home as a possible hors d'oeuvre for our catdid not seem a wise plan. So we decided to take him to Las Vegas --after all, being such a fancy fish, we thought he'd fit right in. Wehalf-filled a jelly jar with water to leave some breathing room. Wewrapped the jar with some foam sheets that would keep him warm andprotect the jar, and we used a secure lid that would not leak. Wepacked his fish food in my carry-on bag."

Carol Winet

Chantilly

"For first-time travelers, I'd recommend a short 'warm-up' trip.The local beaches or mountains are a good short trip from D.C. When Itake our dog, C.N., I like to plan some kind of activity for her,like a hike in the mountains. Usually, if the dog is well-behaved anddoesn't get carsick on a short ride (30-40 miles), it likely will dowell on a longer trip."

Liz Kelley

Hanover, Md.

"Take a picture of your pet before you leave and have copies withyou when you travel. Despite your best precautions, your pet may getlost. You'd be surprised by how many people can't identify differentbreeds from a written description."

Gary Goldberg

Silver Spring

"I always get two copies of my pet's vaccination records and keepone copy in the glove box of my car. That way, if he needs to beboarded, gets into trouble or warrants medical attention, theinformation is at hand. My vet's letterhead is also on it, with hisphone and fax numbers, if there are any questions."

Pat Firey

Oakton

"If you leave your pet in the hotel room while you go exploring,always put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. That way your petisn't alarmed, and the hotel staff isn't startled."

Debbie Brown

Fairfax

"Water is critical when traveling with cats. I always hydrate mineat least twice a day, sometimes more. If they won't drink on theroad, ask your vet for large syringes; it's easier than giving them apill. These are used to squirt them in the mouth. I wrap my cats in atowel so that I can hold them snug around the neck with one hand,brace them against my chest, then worm the pointed part of thesyringe in the side of their mouth and slowly depress as theyswallow. "

Michele Tetley

Arlington

"On the first night we arrive, we always try to stay in -- eitherorder pizza or carryout. That way Katie, our West Highland terrier,gets familiar with her new surroundings and doesn't mind being leftthe next day. We, of course, learned this the hard way. One time wearrived at a new place, dropped her off and headed out. When we gotback, we found that she had unpacked our suitcases for us."

Judi McKinnis

Alexandria

"Respect hotel rules. Don't ruin it for those who come after you.If the hotel policy says you can't leave your pet unattended, don't."

Catherine Roberts

Fairfax

"At the end of a day on the road, do not rush to offer your petfood. If he is like our Sam, he will eat a huge meal and deposit thecontents of the entire day's travel on the rug 10 minutes later."

Nora Jean Levin

Washington

"Train your dog to stay in the car until you let him out. Use'wait' until you can attach his leash or it is safe. Use 'stay' ifyou don't want him to get out (for a short stop, like changingdrivers). Many dogs are lost or hit by cars when they jump out of thecar when the owner gets out."

Carol Crane

St. Leonard, Md.

"Unless your pet is very neurotic and high-strung, avoid giving itsedatives. The noise and vibration of the airplane taking off mightbe frightening at first, but your pet will quickly settle down. Wefound that our cats hated being on sedatives more than the planetrip. The sedatives didn't put them to sleep but caused the cats toyowl and cry the entire time until the effects wore off. It was amiserable trip for all of us."

Bonnie Joranko

Arlington

"Keep a travel bag packed for your dog. In addition to the usualstuff (bowls, leashes, dog first-aid kit, towels, plastic bags for"pick-up," etc.), include an umbrella (for walking in the rain); aflashlight (for walking at night); a copy of your rabies certificateand shot records; a roll of paper towels; and a couple of jugs ofwater from home."

Isabelle Chewning

Falls Church

How to Pack a Fish, and Other Reader Tips

Several months ago, we asked Travel section readers to share theirtips on traveling with pets. Here are some of our favorites.

"A few years ago, my sister brought her dog (part Great Pyrenees,100 percent stupid) to visit my parents, who live on the Maine coast.Malone roams at every opportunity, so my father took an old dog tagwith his name, address and phone number on one side and put labels onthe other, reading, 'Malone, a visitor from Virginia.' "

Martha MacIlvaine

Waldoboro, Maine

"Good resources, especially for lodging, includewww.traveldog.com, www.travelpets.com and www.dogfriendly.com.Another good resource is www.dogpark.com -- to locate dog parks inthe area where you'll be."

Nancy Birnbaum

Arlington

"Bring along an ample supply of whatever drinking water your petis used to, whether from your own tap or designer water. Like us,they can suffer intestinal distress."

Deb Daly

Arnold, Md.

"After finding that our dog barked at noises if we left her alonein the hotel room, we now create her own 'den' by blocking off partof the room that includes her bed, water and toys. She feels lessvulnerable in a smaller space. Also, we leave on the air unit (atleast the 'fan' setting) to make white noise."

Sherri Hunter

Arlington

"After getting over his initial shock about living in a motelroom, our cat, Elliott, got restless at night. He had nothing to do,and motel rooms are small for a cat used to zooming up and down threeflights of stairs. I discovered that if I opened every drawer andcabinet door partway, he'd climb in -- and play hide and seek. Thisrelieved some of his nocturnal boredom."

Jan Kunz

Annapolis

"Traveling with any pet requires a bit of resourcefulness, buttraveling with Attilla the Siamese fighting fish was an interestingchallenge. While planning a plane trip to Las Vegas, we were facedwith what to do with Attilla. Boarding him in a kennel was not anoption, and leaving him home as a possible hors d'oeuvre for our catdid not seem a wise plan. So we decided to take him to Las Vegas --after all, being such a fancy fish, we thought he'd fit right in. Wehalf-filled a jelly jar with water to leave some breathing room. Wewrapped the jar with some foam sheets that would keep him warm andprotect the jar, and we used a secure lid that would not leak. Wepacked his fish food in my carry-on bag."

Carol Winet

Chantilly

"For first-time travelers, I'd recommend a short 'warm-up' trip.The local beaches or mountains are a good short trip from D.C. When Itake our dog, C.N., I like to plan some kind of activity for her,like a hike in the mountains. Usually, if the dog is well-behaved anddoesn't get carsick on a short ride (30-40 miles), it likely will dowell on a longer trip."

Liz Kelley

Hanover, Md.

"Take a picture of your pet before you leave and have copies withyou when you travel. Despite your best precautions, your pet may getlost. You'd be surprised by how many people can't identify differentbreeds from a written description."

Gary Goldberg

Silver Spring

"I always get two copies of my pet's vaccination records and keepone copy in the glove box of my car. That way, if he needs to beboarded, gets into trouble or warrants medical attention, theinformation is at hand. My vet's letterhead is also on it, with hisphone and fax numbers, if there are any questions."

Pat Firey

Oakton

"If you leave your pet in the hotel room while you go exploring,always put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. That way your petisn't alarmed, and the hotel staff isn't startled."

Debbie Brown

Fairfax

"Water is critical when traveling with cats. I always hydrate mineat least twice a day, sometimes more. If they won't drink on theroad, ask your vet for large syringes; it's easier than giving them apill. These are used to squirt them in the mouth. I wrap my cats in atowel so that I can hold them snug around the neck with one hand,brace them against my chest, then worm the pointed part of thesyringe in the side of their mouth and slowly depress as theyswallow. "

Michele Tetley

Arlington

"On the first night we arrive, we always try to stay in -- eitherorder pizza or carryout. That way Katie, our West Highland terrier,gets familiar with her new surroundings and doesn't mind being leftthe next day. We, of course, learned this the hard way. One time wearrived at a new place, dropped her off and headed out. When we gotback, we found that she had unpacked our suitcases for us."

Judi McKinnis

Alexandria

"Respect hotel rules. Don't ruin it for those who come after you.If the hotel policy says you can't leave your pet unattended, don't."

Catherine Roberts

Fairfax

"At the end of a day on the road, do not rush to offer your petfood. If he is like our Sam, he will eat a huge meal and deposit thecontents of the entire day's travel on the rug 10 minutes later."

Nora Jean Levin

Washington

"Train your dog to stay in the car until you let him out. Use'wait' until you can attach his leash or it is safe. Use 'stay' ifyou don't want him to get out (for a short stop, like changingdrivers). Many dogs are lost or hit by cars when they jump out of thecar when the owner gets out."

Carol Crane

St. Leonard, Md.

"Unless your pet is very neurotic and high-strung, avoid giving itsedatives. The noise and vibration of the airplane taking off mightbe frightening at first, but your pet will quickly settle down. Wefound that our cats hated being on sedatives more than the planetrip. The sedatives didn't put them to sleep but caused the cats toyowl and cry the entire time until the effects wore off. It was amiserable trip for all of us."

Bonnie Joranko

Arlington

"Keep a travel bag packed for your dog. In addition to the usualstuff (bowls, leashes, dog first-aid kit, towels, plastic bags for"pick-up," etc.), include an umbrella (for walking in the rain); aflashlight (for walking at night); a copy of your rabies certificateand shot records; a roll of paper towels; and a couple of jugs ofwater from home."

Isabelle Chewning

Falls Church

How to Pack a Fish, and Other Reader Tips

Several months ago, we asked Travel section readers to share theirtips on traveling with pets. Here are some of our favorites.

"A few years ago, my sister brought her dog (part Great Pyrenees,100 percent stupid) to visit my parents, who live on the Maine coast.Malone roams at every opportunity, so my father took an old dog tagwith his name, address and phone number on one side and put labels onthe other, reading, 'Malone, a visitor from Virginia.' "

Martha MacIlvaine

Waldoboro, Maine

"Good resources, especially for lodging, includewww.traveldog.com, www.travelpets.com and www.dogfriendly.com.Another good resource is www.dogpark.com -- to locate dog parks inthe area where you'll be."

Nancy Birnbaum

Arlington

"Bring along an ample supply of whatever drinking water your petis used to, whether from your own tap or designer water. Like us,they can suffer intestinal distress."

Deb Daly

Arnold, Md.

"After finding that our dog barked at noises if we left her alonein the hotel room, we now create her own 'den' by blocking off partof the room that includes her bed, water and toys. She feels lessvulnerable in a smaller space. Also, we leave on the air unit (atleast the 'fan' setting) to make white noise."

Sherri Hunter

Arlington

"After getting over his initial shock about living in a motelroom, our cat, Elliott, got restless at night. He had nothing to do,and motel rooms are small for a cat used to zooming up and down threeflights of stairs. I discovered that if I opened every drawer andcabinet door partway, he'd climb in -- and play hide and seek. Thisrelieved some of his nocturnal boredom."

Jan Kunz

Annapolis

"Traveling with any pet requires a bit of resourcefulness, buttraveling with Attilla the Siamese fighting fish was an interestingchallenge. While planning a plane trip to Las Vegas, we were facedwith what to do with Attilla. Boarding him in a kennel was not anoption, and leaving him home as a possible hors d'oeuvre for our catdid not seem a wise plan. So we decided to take him to Las Vegas --after all, being such a fancy fish, we thought he'd fit right in. Wehalf-filled a jelly jar with water to leave some breathing room. Wewrapped the jar with some foam sheets that would keep him warm andprotect the jar, and we used a secure lid that would not leak. Wepacked his fish food in my carry-on bag."

Carol Winet

Chantilly

"For first-time travelers, I'd recommend a short 'warm-up' trip.The local beaches or mountains are a good short trip from D.C. When Itake our dog, C.N., I like to plan some kind of activity for her,like a hike in the mountains. Usually, if the dog is well-behaved anddoesn't get carsick on a short ride (30-40 miles), it likely will dowell on a longer trip."

Liz Kelley

Hanover, Md.

"Take a picture of your pet before you leave and have copies withyou when you travel. Despite your best precautions, your pet may getlost. You'd be surprised by how many people can't identify differentbreeds from a written description."

Gary Goldberg

Silver Spring

"I always get two copies of my pet's vaccination records and keepone copy in the glove box of my car. That way, if he needs to beboarded, gets into trouble or warrants medical attention, theinformation is at hand. My vet's letterhead is also on it, with hisphone and fax numbers, if there are any questions."

Pat Firey

Oakton

"If you leave your pet in the hotel room while you go exploring,always put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. That way your petisn't alarmed, and the hotel staff isn't startled."

Debbie Brown

Fairfax

"Water is critical when traveling with cats. I always hydrate mineat least twice a day, sometimes more. If they won't drink on theroad, ask your vet for large syringes; it's easier than giving them apill. These are used to squirt them in the mouth. I wrap my cats in atowel so that I can hold them snug around the neck with one hand,brace them against my chest, then worm the pointed part of thesyringe in the side of their mouth and slowly depress as theyswallow. "

Michele Tetley

Arlington

"On the first night we arrive, we always try to stay in -- eitherorder pizza or carryout. That way Katie, our West Highland terrier,gets familiar with her new surroundings and doesn't mind being leftthe next day. We, of course, learned this the hard way. One time wearrived at a new place, dropped her off and headed out. When we gotback, we found that she had unpacked our suitcases for us."

Judi McKinnis

Alexandria

"Respect hotel rules. Don't ruin it for those who come after you.If the hotel policy says you can't leave your pet unattended, don't."

Catherine Roberts

Fairfax

"At the end of a day on the road, do not rush to offer your petfood. If he is like our Sam, he will eat a huge meal and deposit thecontents of the entire day's travel on the rug 10 minutes later."

Nora Jean Levin

Washington

"Train your dog to stay in the car until you let him out. Use'wait' until you can attach his leash or it is safe. Use 'stay' ifyou don't want him to get out (for a short stop, like changingdrivers). Many dogs are lost or hit by cars when they jump out of thecar when the owner gets out."

Carol Crane

St. Leonard, Md.

"Unless your pet is very neurotic and high-strung, avoid giving itsedatives. The noise and vibration of the airplane taking off mightbe frightening at first, but your pet will quickly settle down. Wefound that our cats hated being on sedatives more than the planetrip. The sedatives didn't put them to sleep but caused the cats toyowl and cry the entire time until the effects wore off. It was amiserable trip for all of us."

Bonnie Joranko

Arlington

"Keep a travel bag packed for your dog. In addition to the usualstuff (bowls, leashes, dog first-aid kit, towels, plastic bags for"pick-up," etc.), include an umbrella (for walking in the rain); aflashlight (for walking at night); a copy of your rabies certificateand shot records; a roll of paper towels; and a couple of jugs ofwater from home."

Isabelle Chewning

Falls Church

How to Pack a Fish, and Other Reader Tips

Several months ago, we asked Travel section readers to share theirtips on traveling with pets. Here are some of our favorites.

"A few years ago, my sister brought her dog (part Great Pyrenees,100 percent stupid) to visit my parents, who live on the Maine coast.Malone roams at every opportunity, so my father took an old dog tagwith his name, address and phone number on one side and put labels onthe other, reading, 'Malone, a visitor from Virginia.' "

Martha MacIlvaine

Waldoboro, Maine

"Good resources, especially for lodging, includewww.traveldog.com, www.travelpets.com and www.dogfriendly.com.Another good resource is www.dogpark.com -- to locate dog parks inthe area where you'll be."

Nancy Birnbaum

Arlington

"Bring along an ample supply of whatever drinking water your petis used to, whether from your own tap or designer water. Like us,they can suffer intestinal distress."

Deb Daly

Arnold, Md.

"After finding that our dog barked at noises if we left her alonein the hotel room, we now create her own 'den' by blocking off partof the room that includes her bed, water and toys. She feels lessvulnerable in a smaller space. Also, we leave on the air unit (atleast the 'fan' setting) to make white noise."

Sherri Hunter

Arlington

"After getting over his initial shock about living in a motelroom, our cat, Elliott, got restless at night. He had nothing to do,and motel rooms are small for a cat used to zooming up and down threeflights of stairs. I discovered that if I opened every drawer andcabinet door partway, he'd climb in -- and play hide and seek. Thisrelieved some of his nocturnal boredom."

Jan Kunz

Annapolis

"Traveling with any pet requires a bit of resourcefulness, buttraveling with Attilla the Siamese fighting fish was an interestingchallenge. While planning a plane trip to Las Vegas, we were facedwith what to do with Attilla. Boarding him in a kennel was not anoption, and leaving him home as a possible hors d'oeuvre for our catdid not seem a wise plan. So we decided to take him to Las Vegas --after all, being such a fancy fish, we thought he'd fit right in. Wehalf-filled a jelly jar with water to leave some breathing room. Wewrapped the jar with some foam sheets that would keep him warm andprotect the jar, and we used a secure lid that would not leak. Wepacked his fish food in my carry-on bag."

Carol Winet

Chantilly

"For first-time travelers, I'd recommend a short 'warm-up' trip.The local beaches or mountains are a good short trip from D.C. When Itake our dog, C.N., I like to plan some kind of activity for her,like a hike in the mountains. Usually, if the dog is well-behaved anddoesn't get carsick on a short ride (30-40 miles), it likely will dowell on a longer trip."

Liz Kelley

Hanover, Md.

"Take a picture of your pet before you leave and have copies withyou when you travel. Despite your best precautions, your pet may getlost. You'd be surprised by how many people can't identify differentbreeds from a written description."

Gary Goldberg

Silver Spring

"I always get two copies of my pet's vaccination records and keepone copy in the glove box of my car. That way, if he needs to beboarded, gets into trouble or warrants medical attention, theinformation is at hand. My vet's letterhead is also on it, with hisphone and fax numbers, if there are any questions."

Pat Firey

Oakton

"If you leave your pet in the hotel room while you go exploring,always put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. That way your petisn't alarmed, and the hotel staff isn't startled."

Debbie Brown

Fairfax

"Water is critical when traveling with cats. I always hydrate mineat least twice a day, sometimes more. If they won't drink on theroad, ask your vet for large syringes; it's easier than giving them apill. These are used to squirt them in the mouth. I wrap my cats in atowel so that I can hold them snug around the neck with one hand,brace them against my chest, then worm the pointed part of thesyringe in the side of their mouth and slowly depress as theyswallow. "

Michele Tetley

Arlington

"On the first night we arrive, we always try to stay in -- eitherorder pizza or carryout. That way Katie, our West Highland terrier,gets familiar with her new surroundings and doesn't mind being leftthe next day. We, of course, learned this the hard way. One time wearrived at a new place, dropped her off and headed out. When we gotback, we found that she had unpacked our suitcases for us."

Judi McKinnis

Alexandria

"Respect hotel rules. Don't ruin it for those who come after you.If the hotel policy says you can't leave your pet unattended, don't."

Catherine Roberts

Fairfax

"At the end of a day on the road, do not rush to offer your petfood. If he is like our Sam, he will eat a huge meal and deposit thecontents of the entire day's travel on the rug 10 minutes later."

Nora Jean Levin

Washington

"Train your dog to stay in the car until you let him out. Use'wait' until you can attach his leash or it is safe. Use 'stay' ifyou don't want him to get out (for a short stop, like changingdrivers). Many dogs are lost or hit by cars when they jump out of thecar when the owner gets out."

Carol Crane

St. Leonard, Md.

"Unless your pet is very neurotic and high-strung, avoid giving itsedatives. The noise and vibration of the airplane taking off mightbe frightening at first, but your pet will quickly settle down. Wefound that our cats hated being on sedatives more than the planetrip. The sedatives didn't put them to sleep but caused the cats toyowl and cry the entire time until the effects wore off. It was amiserable trip for all of us."

Bonnie Joranko

Arlington

"Keep a travel bag packed for your dog. In addition to the usualstuff (bowls, leashes, dog first-aid kit, towels, plastic bags for"pick-up," etc.), include an umbrella (for walking in the rain); aflashlight (for walking at night); a copy of your rabies certificateand shot records; a roll of paper towels; and a couple of jugs ofwater from home."

Isabelle Chewning

Falls Church

How to Pack a Fish, and Other Reader Tips

Several months ago, we asked Travel section readers to share theirtips on traveling with pets. Here are some of our favorites.

"A few years ago, my sister brought her dog (part Great Pyrenees,100 percent stupid) to visit my parents, who live on the Maine coast.Malone roams at every opportunity, so my father took an old dog tagwith his name, address and phone number on one side and put labels onthe other, reading, 'Malone, a visitor from Virginia.' "

Martha MacIlvaine

Waldoboro, Maine

"Good resources, especially for lodging, includewww.traveldog.com, www.travelpets.com and www.dogfriendly.com.Another good resource is www.dogpark.com -- to locate dog parks inthe area where you'll be."

Nancy Birnbaum

Arlington

"Bring along an ample supply of whatever drinking water your petis used to, whether from your own tap or designer water. Like us,they can suffer intestinal distress."

Deb Daly

Arnold, Md.

"After finding that our dog barked at noises if we left her alonein the hotel room, we now create her own 'den' by blocking off partof the room that includes her bed, water and toys. She feels lessvulnerable in a smaller space. Also, we leave on the air unit (atleast the 'fan' setting) to make white noise."

Sherri Hunter

Arlington

"After getting over his initial shock about living in a motelroom, our cat, Elliott, got restless at night. He had nothing to do,and motel rooms are small for a cat used to zooming up and down threeflights of stairs. I discovered that if I opened every drawer andcabinet door partway, he'd climb in -- and play hide and seek. Thisrelieved some of his nocturnal boredom."

Jan Kunz

Annapolis

"Traveling with any pet requires a bit of resourcefulness, buttraveling with Attilla the Siamese fighting fish was an interestingchallenge. While planning a plane trip to Las Vegas, we were facedwith what to do with Attilla. Boarding him in a kennel was not anoption, and leaving him home as a possible hors d'oeuvre for our catdid not seem a wise plan. So we decided to take him to Las Vegas --after all, being such a fancy fish, we thought he'd fit right in. Wehalf-filled a jelly jar with water to leave some breathing room. Wewrapped the jar with some foam sheets that would keep him warm andprotect the jar, and we used a secure lid that would not leak. Wepacked his fish food in my carry-on bag."

Carol Winet

Chantilly

"For first-time travelers, I'd recommend a short 'warm-up' trip.The local beaches or mountains are a good short trip from D.C. When Itake our dog, C.N., I like to plan some kind of activity for her,like a hike in the mountains. Usually, if the dog is well-behaved anddoesn't get carsick on a short ride (30-40 miles), it likely will dowell on a longer trip."

Liz Kelley

Hanover, Md.

"Take a picture of your pet before you leave and have copies withyou when you travel. Despite your best precautions, your pet may getlost. You'd be surprised by how many people can't identify differentbreeds from a written description."

Gary Goldberg

Silver Spring

"I always get two copies of my pet's vaccination records and keepone copy in the glove box of my car. That way, if he needs to beboarded, gets into trouble or warrants medical attention, theinformation is at hand. My vet's letterhead is also on it, with hisphone and fax numbers, if there are any questions."

Pat Firey

Oakton

"If you leave your pet in the hotel room while you go exploring,always put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. That way your petisn't alarmed, and the hotel staff isn't startled."

Debbie Brown

Fairfax

"Water is critical when traveling with cats. I always hydrate mineat least twice a day, sometimes more. If they won't drink on theroad, ask your vet for large syringes; it's easier than giving them apill. These are used to squirt them in the mouth. I wrap my cats in atowel so that I can hold them snug around the neck with one hand,brace them against my chest, then worm the pointed part of thesyringe in the side of their mouth and slowly depress as theyswallow. "

Michele Tetley

Arlington

"On the first night we arrive, we always try to stay in -- eitherorder pizza or carryout. That way Katie, our West Highland terrier,gets familiar with her new surroundings and doesn't mind being leftthe next day. We, of course, learned this the hard way. One time wearrived at a new place, dropped her off and headed out. When we gotback, we found that she had unpacked our suitcases for us."

Judi McKinnis

Alexandria

"Respect hotel rules. Don't ruin it for those who come after you.If the hotel policy says you can't leave your pet unattended, don't."

Catherine Roberts

Fairfax

"At the end of a day on the road, do not rush to offer your petfood. If he is like our Sam, he will eat a huge meal and deposit thecontents of the entire day's travel on the rug 10 minutes later."

Nora Jean Levin

Washington

"Train your dog to stay in the car until you let him out. Use'wait' until you can attach his leash or it is safe. Use 'stay' ifyou don't want him to get out (for a short stop, like changingdrivers). Many dogs are lost or hit by cars when they jump out of thecar when the owner gets out."

Carol Crane

St. Leonard, Md.

"Unless your pet is very neurotic and high-strung, avoid giving itsedatives. The noise and vibration of the airplane taking off mightbe frightening at first, but your pet will quickly settle down. Wefound that our cats hated being on sedatives more than the planetrip. The sedatives didn't put them to sleep but caused the cats toyowl and cry the entire time until the effects wore off. It was amiserable trip for all of us."

Bonnie Joranko

Arlington

"Keep a travel bag packed for your dog. In addition to the usualstuff (bowls, leashes, dog first-aid kit, towels, plastic bags for"pick-up," etc.), include an umbrella (for walking in the rain); aflashlight (for walking at night); a copy of your rabies certificateand shot records; a roll of paper towels; and a couple of jugs ofwater from home."

Isabelle Chewning

Falls Church

How to Pack a Fish, and Other Reader Tips

Several months ago, we asked Travel section readers to share theirtips on traveling with pets. Here are some of our favorites.

"A few years ago, my sister brought her dog (part Great Pyrenees,100 percent stupid) to visit my parents, who live on the Maine coast.Malone roams at every opportunity, so my father took an old dog tagwith his name, address and phone number on one side and put labels onthe other, reading, 'Malone, a visitor from Virginia.' "

Martha MacIlvaine

Waldoboro, Maine

"Good resources, especially for lodging, includewww.traveldog.com, www.travelpets.com and www.dogfriendly.com.Another good resource is www.dogpark.com -- to locate dog parks inthe area where you'll be."

Nancy Birnbaum

Arlington

"Bring along an ample supply of whatever drinking water your petis used to, whether from your own tap or designer water. Like us,they can suffer intestinal distress."

Deb Daly

Arnold, Md.

"After finding that our dog barked at noises if we left her alonein the hotel room, we now create her own 'den' by blocking off partof the room that includes her bed, water and toys. She feels lessvulnerable in a smaller space. Also, we leave on the air unit (atleast the 'fan' setting) to make white noise."

Sherri Hunter

Arlington

"After getting over his initial shock about living in a motelroom, our cat, Elliott, got restless at night. He had nothing to do,and motel rooms are small for a cat used to zooming up and down threeflights of stairs. I discovered that if I opened every drawer andcabinet door partway, he'd climb in -- and play hide and seek. Thisrelieved some of his nocturnal boredom."

Jan Kunz

Annapolis

"Traveling with any pet requires a bit of resourcefulness, buttraveling with Attilla the Siamese fighting fish was an interestingchallenge. While planning a plane trip to Las Vegas, we were facedwith what to do with Attilla. Boarding him in a kennel was not anoption, and leaving him home as a possible hors d'oeuvre for our catdid not seem a wise plan. So we decided to take him to Las Vegas --after all, being such a fancy fish, we thought he'd fit right in. Wehalf-filled a jelly jar with water to leave some breathing room. Wewrapped the jar with some foam sheets that would keep him warm andprotect the jar, and we used a secure lid that would not leak. Wepacked his fish food in my carry-on bag."

Carol Winet

Chantilly

"For first-time travelers, I'd recommend a short 'warm-up' trip.The local beaches or mountains are a good short trip from D.C. When Itake our dog, C.N., I like to plan some kind of activity for her,like a hike in the mountains. Usually, if the dog is well-behaved anddoesn't get carsick on a short ride (30-40 miles), it likely will dowell on a longer trip."

Liz Kelley

Hanover, Md.

"Take a picture of your pet before you leave and have copies withyou when you travel. Despite your best precautions, your pet may getlost. You'd be surprised by how many people can't identify differentbreeds from a written description."

Gary Goldberg

Silver Spring

"I always get two copies of my pet's vaccination records and keepone copy in the glove box of my car. That way, if he needs to beboarded, gets into trouble or warrants medical attention, theinformation is at hand. My vet's letterhead is also on it, with hisphone and fax numbers, if there are any questions."

Pat Firey

Oakton

"If you leave your pet in the hotel room while you go exploring,always put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. That way your petisn't alarmed, and the hotel staff isn't startled."

Debbie Brown

Fairfax

"Water is critical when traveling with cats. I always hydrate mineat least twice a day, sometimes more. If they won't drink on theroad, ask your vet for large syringes; it's easier than giving them apill. These are used to squirt them in the mouth. I wrap my cats in atowel so that I can hold them snug around the neck with one hand,brace them against my chest, then worm the pointed part of thesyringe in the side of their mouth and slowly depress as theyswallow. "

Michele Tetley

Arlington

"On the first night we arrive, we always try to stay in -- eitherorder pizza or carryout. That way Katie, our West Highland terrier,gets familiar with her new surroundings and doesn't mind being leftthe next day. We, of course, learned this the hard way. One time wearrived at a new place, dropped her off and headed out. When we gotback, we found that she had unpacked our suitcases for us."

Judi McKinnis

Alexandria

"Respect hotel rules. Don't ruin it for those who come after you.If the hotel policy says you can't leave your pet unattended, don't."

Catherine Roberts

Fairfax

"At the end of a day on the road, do not rush to offer your petfood. If he is like our Sam, he will eat a huge meal and deposit thecontents of the entire day's travel on the rug 10 minutes later."

Nora Jean Levin

Washington

"Train your dog to stay in the car until you let him out. Use'wait' until you can attach his leash or it is safe. Use 'stay' ifyou don't want him to get out (for a short stop, like changingdrivers). Many dogs are lost or hit by cars when they jump out of thecar when the owner gets out."

Carol Crane

St. Leonard, Md.

"Unless your pet is very neurotic and high-strung, avoid giving itsedatives. The noise and vibration of the airplane taking off mightbe frightening at first, but your pet will quickly settle down. Wefound that our cats hated being on sedatives more than the planetrip. The sedatives didn't put them to sleep but caused the cats toyowl and cry the entire time until the effects wore off. It was amiserable trip for all of us."

Bonnie Joranko

Arlington

"Keep a travel bag packed for your dog. In addition to the usualstuff (bowls, leashes, dog first-aid kit, towels, plastic bags for"pick-up," etc.), include an umbrella (for walking in the rain); aflashlight (for walking at night); a copy of your rabies certificateand shot records; a roll of paper towels; and a couple of jugs ofwater from home."

Isabelle Chewning

Falls Church