#flying with a puppy

[sighthounds-and-sketches]

Let's talk about flying to pick up a puppy by yourself

And some ways to make it easier on you.

Your prep starts honestly, about a week before baby actually comes home. Maybe 2 weeks.

For my pre-flight prep, I first picked out a flight carrier. I went with the one my breeder recommended.

It has expandable sides, and a little storage pocket. And it's resistant to chewing. I'm really glad I didn't buy a cheaper one, and I can't stress enough that it's cheaper to buy a quality one the first time than have a zipper break or a tear in the middle of your trip. My trip in total was 4 flights and 4 hours in the car, with him being with me for half of it and having the longest layover of my day. I could only really let him out a couple times, so this next part was incredibly helpful.

I mailed the carrier to my breeder,

at her behest. This was *huge* because the siblings got their scent on it and he was acclimated to being in it before I got to him. It acted as a secure place for him to ride in the car and for his first few nights here, he slept in there through the night.

And now that he's in his crate, the removable pad with scents on it has been instrumental in establishing the crate as a safe place for him.

Video of why I'm really glad I got the durable carrier.

Please consider what you're wearing that day.

Wear clothes you don't need to fuss with *at all* that's normal airport protocol- but I can't stress this enough, you're carrying the puppy in your arms through the TSA checkpoint and other people will be fussing over him. Make sure your appearance and personal bag is no fuss.

See: jeans, hoodie, puppy treat and potty bag that can be shoved into my personal Item, and a no fuss backpack.

In my personal travel bag I kept:

Pee pads, his food from the breeder, a change of clothes in case of incidents, a portable battery to charge my phone, collapsible food and water bowls, collar and leash incase one wasn't provided, and SEVERAL toys in there.

The toys were great for waiting in the terminal. I'd expand the sides of the crate and introduce a new toy to him to help him run a bit of energy out before we had to board.

Peepads: Even though airports have animal relief areas, chances are they're either kind of gross or your dog may be a little too young for it to be safe. I was traveling through one of the busiest airports in the world, and nobody was checking jack shit so I opted for potty breaks to occur in bathrooms with pee pads. He didn't end up going but it's better to be prepared.

I flew Delta and used Skymiles accumulated from our credit card with them that we pay off monthly, so the only thing I paid for out of pocket was 95.00 to bring Argos on board. My flight only costed 20k miles total, and that was only a small portion of what we'd accumulated over the 6 months we've been using the card. I think it's worth considering if you're planning to fly to a breeder. It enabled me to go anywhere in the country that Delta flies and not worry about costs.

Day of hack: double check your flights on the airlines app and switch your seat if possible. I swapped one of my return flight seats to an empty row for 15.00, which meant I could have my carryon and him with me at the same time and that was very nice for readjusting where my stuff was and taking a damn nap. Because at this point, I'd been up for about 18 hours and still had 7 hours of traveling before I'd get home.

I think my last thing is that if you're like me and you do have an invisible disability- ask if you can preboard. Dont be afraid to say "hey, i have this problem and standing in the heat while carrying a bunch of stuff is potentially going to cause an episode. " The employees were extremely nice, and willing to work with me. Ultimately, I went through all of this because he's a service dog prospect and will hopefully help.

Small things for me specifically prior: ate in the morning and right before I picked him up, he was able to chill in his carrier while I ate dinner at a restaurant in the airport- didn't make any sounds. He slept the whole time. I don't think I couldve eaten in the food court, too much to carry between him and my main bag.

I think that's it. I may add to this if I remember anything I forgot.

Edited to add: for my besties with miscellaneous illnesses-

A baggie with your medicines is IMPORTANT. Do not forget some dramamine, advil, Tylenol, whatever, pack it if there's a small chance you'll need it!

I ended up getting migraine symptoms like 5 hours into travel, and that was not a day I could afford to have blurred vision. <3 remember to take care of YOU on the journey.

[loveisinthebat]

Puppy

[molosseraptor]

this is what I get every time I try to bend down to get a nice picture

[bleaksqueak]

ooooh well it's not obvious he says like there is a single part of bursting open like a bloated melon oozing clots of petrol worms and eyes with teeth that is not obviously too horrifying to bear thinking about much less interacting with oooh nonono actually i have always longed to join with the terrors and dare i even hope birth a sentient sphincter of my very own a beautiful bouncing bundle of bile god just imagine the special day when the little gupper comes bursting out of my orifices which ones who knows i want to be surprised for its first screaming wet expulsion gosh isn't that just something that’s the real magic in this wondrous world i mean what girl doesn't dream about someday becoming a--

Read today's page.

Read from the start

Support artists and the production of this comic

[defiledtomb]

Psst. Looksie! The healers hands chapter 4 is now up on my Patreon!! <3 a continued and everlasting gratitude to all of you who have so generously helped me while I piece my life back together. I'm still waiting to hear back from the real estate agent, but things are looking hopeful and I pray I can get back to work on ouro before xmas. Until then, I'm chewing on this prequel story between Leith and a Healer MC. Things are heating up.

Have a sneak peek from chapter 5!

And then, a commotion at the wide double doors that led into the wide hallway of the baths. Several men, tall, limb over limb, poured into the humid space, their hands carrying bottles by the necks and classes by their fingers, like apples plucked straight from long branches. “Leith!” rumbled one, then another, and they stumbled their way forth to the bath where the healer had hid behind Leith’s back, peeking over his shoulder. “And the healer!” Vax roared, in earnest. He had a joint in the corner of his mouth, smoke pouring from his nostrils. There were six of them: Ohro, Kinsa, Vax, Nima, Lanas and Kelles, all unruly and unsticking their coats and shirts, hopping out of their pants one leg at the time. Soon they were all naked, dicks and muscles and sinew and sweat, and they invited themselves into their bath while conversation was like bramble, loud and pricky and completely impossible to untangle. Lanas had hobbled over to the coals while removing his tight leather pants and was in the process of adding more steam, fogging up the entire bath, and the others in the bath groaned with approval. The water splashed over the edges of the gray and red tiles as the last of them, Ohro, lowered himself without any grace what so ever. They spread out, and the healer was guided by posessive hands into Leith’s open lap, where she sat, his arms loose around her, hooked on one shoulder, and the waist another. She settled in, his voice at her ear, his breath tickling her wet neck. 

“Valorn,” Leith greeted them by their mercenary group name. “How was Hirswreath?”

[hyydraworks]

Third and last variety of bat mug going to be in tomorrow's Etsy update (Feb. 1st) at 5pm ET, some Spectacled Flying Foxes!

[scrambledslut]

you mean to tell me i’m supposed to be mad at THIS guy?!?!? bffr

[anarchythephoenix]

OH

OH NOOO

OOOOHH FUUUUUUUUUUUCCCKKKKK

[kismetconstellations]

Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, and Harris Dickinson do Buzzfeed's Puppy Interview

[loveisinthebat]

Quality Sky Puppy

[bougie-bitch]

[xpupslxtx]

i be wondering how much gay shit is goin on in the olympic locker rooms

[tequiilasunriise]

HMMMMMMMM.

So besides Genetic Chronic Gay Disaster Diesease™️, we are adding Puppy Dog Eyes Towards The Woman You Love Most™️ to the list of ‘random shit Yang inherited from Raven besides great hair and greater tits’.

[chamerionwrites]

There are a lot of jokes (not without reason) about straight men holding fish in their online dating profiles, but tbh based on anecdotal evidence straight women should give it a try

[iamdognow]

trick or treat!! 🎃

TRICK!!!!!!!

[sporecringe]

Puppy has his very own house ! Dog house time :D !