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The ride of life with a dog
  • Surf Dog Diaries - dog blog
  • The ride of life with a dog
  • HANG 20 - DOG BEACH, CA
  • HANG 20 - DOG RIVER, OR
  • ABOUT US
  • BarbAyers.com
  • GIVING BACK
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Dogs ride the ups and downs with us. Real life Surf Dog Diaries

Meet writer dogs. Rider dogs. Best dog friends. Surf the couch, the www, or a wave. Wave back at us!

It's all about the ride. The ride of life with a dog.

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5 Tips for traveling safely (and easily) with your dog

Guest Contributor August 25, 2018

By Michelle Brown

Traveling should be fun and exciting: you’re exploring new places, meeting new people and tasting local delicacies—what’s not to love? But it can also come with a lot of anxiety.

For most of us with furry animals, the to-bring or not-to-bring dilemma is daunting. Of course you’d love to bring your pup everywhere—I get it, separation anxiety is real!

But it’s also A LOT. Fluffy travel companions are Instagram-able, obviously, but they’re also exhausting and can add more anxiety when traveling to new places.

That’s why I’ve come up with some helpful tips to put your mind at ease.

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Know your dog and their limits!

Easy right? They’re already your best friend. But just because your destination is dog-friendly, doesn’t mean it’s friendly for your dog. Take into consideration how your pup handles certain situations, like: hiking, crowds of people, long car rides or lavish, king size beds. Side-note: there are restrictions on certain breeds in areas as well.

Here are resources to check-out beforehand:

  •  GoPetFriendly
  • Traveling with pets – a vet's perspective
  • Travel & Leisure magazine tips

A healthy dog is a happy dog!

Your pup might dread it, but I’d recommend a visit to the vet before your adventure. Some lodgings require that Mr. or Mrs.Fluffernutter is up-to-date on all their vaccinations, while airlines need a certification of health. It’s also just good to know they’re healthy enough to go on a trip. Who wants to travel when they’re sick?I know I don’t!

Oh, and while you’re doing the research, scope out the nearest vet clinics and 24-hour emergency vets around you. This app is very helpful: Red Cross Pet First Aid. 

Safety first!

If you buckle up, your Prince or Princess should too! It’s important to have your pup securely fastened on a plane or in a car. Roaming puppies (despite sounding adorable) can be dangerous, especially if they like to drive!

American Kennel Club has some great car seat and crate options! Most allow your pup to enjoy the scenery, helping to avoid motion sickness and their inevitable boredom. But if your dog’s not about that life, there are harnesses available, too.

Airplane travel is tricky, and there’s, of course, more research involved (ugh!). They only allow USDA-approved carriers, and each airline has set specifications for them. The websites provided above go into more detail about this. To be safe, call the airline directly to ensure your puppy isn’t hassled during your travels.

Don’t forget their suitcase!  It doesn’t have to be fancy! But like you, they just cannot live without some of their things.


To help, here’s a basic list:

  • Identification -       And copies of them! This means their name tag, travel documents, and in some states and most definitely for international travel, their updated vaccination records.                              
  • Transportable food and water bowls  - including extra amounts of their food.Traveling is not the time to switch or try new food—things can get real stinky and messy!                                                    
  • Leash, harness, puppy pads -  taking breaks to walk and eat (if their stomach can take it) helps with anxious puppies. It burns off energy and tires them out, making for a relaxed pup and a calm car ride. Upon arrival, I’d also get them acquainted with the unfamiliar territory.                                    
  • Puppy pads! They’re always a good idea when flying.                                                                              
  • Favorite toys, treats, etc., that are familiar and comfortable! And like a child (because admit it, they are), it’ll distract them for a few minutes.                                                                                           
  • First Aid Kit and medication(s)                                                                                                                    
  • Raincoat, booties, pet preserver (if needed)                                                                                              
  • Anxiety relief                                                                                                                                                
  • Cleaning products. Because accidents happen! :)

Don’t feel guilty if it’s too much!

If you think it’ll be too stressful for you or your cuddle monster, don’t fret! Sometimes it’s for the better. If you are traveling across country, for example, you can hire experts to transport your dog.

There are also some highly-rated and trustworthy dog sitting options available, such as DogVacay/Rover and Wag.

Safe and happy, tail-wagging travels!

Tags tips for pet parents, advice for dog moms, traveling with pets, safety tips dogs, dog diary, surf dog diaries, road trip, dog friend, I love dogs
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The Latest Trends in Pet Ownership

Rupert Report with M J Sweeney June 23, 2018

The pet business is increasing, and it’s going to continue to grow.

Pet owners are trying to find new ways to entertain and protect their best friends, so you can find many new and different toys, food, and services for pets.

People’s habits are changing. Pets are no longer left at home, and few people choose to keep them on a leash. Animals have emerging rights as well, so see what’s trending in the pet product industry.

Natural products

People are more conscious about what they eat, what they put on their skin, and the products they use in their yard. We worry about the potential toxicity of synthetic chemicals and other harmful materials, so we’re informing ourselves more and choosing more natural products.

We all want to protect pets from harm. Now you can find more and more companies selling holistic cat and dog food, cat litter, natural flea and tick repellents, and toys made with natural fibers. The desire to improve the health of a pet is completely normal since they are part of the family.

Pet-friendly travel

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There are an increasing number of pet-friendly hotels and motels because more people travel with their pets. There are apps available that can direct you to places that welcome cats and dogs. Vacation is not the same without your pet, and some people don’t like to leave them behind.

For road trips, you can get safety equipment and seat belts for your pet, so your pet won’t be running around the car, and you won’t be distracted while driving.

And, there is health insurance for your pet. This trend is expected to increase dramatically, and it can be a smart thing to do in case something happens. 

Pet sitting

No matter how much you would like to travel with your pet, sometimes that’s just not possible. If you are going on a business trip, or your pet doesn’t like to travel, you can’t just leave an animal at home while you are gone.

Luckily, you can rely on pet sitting services, at your home or at a boarding facility. Employees will feed and walk your pets, and keep them company when they're lonely. This can be a win-win solution for both you and your pet.

Adopting a rescue animal

There are millions of vulnerable dogs and cats that are striving for some love and attention, so why not make this planet a better place and adopt a rescue animal? Nowadays, adopt and rescue organizations are simplifying animals adoption procedures, making it easier for animals to find their way to loving homes.

rescue animal.jpg

According to ASPCA, more and more people choose to adopt rather than buy from a breeder.

There are numerous services that can help your adopted pet feel better in their new home, such as this dog training in Sydney. Programs like this can help you learn to communicate with your dog in a language it can understand.

Need a name for  your new BFF? Try this dog name generator!

Weight-loss clinics

As much as you care about your dog, you have to be careful when it comes to quality and quantity of food. Obesity is affecting pets’ life quality, so a number of veterinary practices are opening weight-loss clinics. No kidding!

This is a growing health problem among pets, and can be solved. You can find therapeutic dog and cat food or calorie-controlled offerings that can improve pets’ health. Remember, an obese pet isn’t a happy pet, so don’t show your love through food.

Mobile pet grooming

Nowadays, people treat pets like humans. Pets can get their nails done, have stylish haircuts or even massages.

Some things you just can’t do on your own, so mobile pet grooming can be useful for both you and your pet. There are specially equipped vehicles that travel to pet owners’ homes and treat animals there. This service is perfect for older people who can take care of their pet on their own, but it could be useful for everyone, because it reduces potential stress on the pets.

Pets are family, so naturally, we want what's best for them.

Some trends cause controversy. 

People tend to spend more and more on their companions, so the pet business is definitely going to increase even more in the future.

Tags I love dogs, dog friend, tips for pet parents, travel with dogs, pet sitting, dogs are family, Dog Diary, Surf Dog Diaries, dog blog
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Dog Shedding: How to Keep Pet Hair under Control

Rupert Report with M J Sweeney May 9, 2018

Tips on how to survive shedding season in your home by Aussie dog mom Zara

Read More
Tags dog blog, tips for pet parents, dog mom, I love dogs, shedding dogs, advice for dog moms, dog diary, dog friend, kids and dogs
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Surf Dog Diaries  |  Barb Ayers, San Diego, CA and Mosier OR.  |   All content and images (c) Barb Ayers, copyrighted, all rights reserved