Reunited...and it feels so good (guide to packing for your dog's trip)

Nick and I are just getting back from a week-long vacation.  While we had an amazing time with some old friends, I couldn't help but miss my Copley Bug.  She had the pleasure of spending a whole week with her grandma and grandpa.  And, of course, her bestie Grady.  Everything went well and I can tell she had a great time.

Leaving your little one behind can be tough, but with the proper packing preparation - they'll have a great time away and so will you!  Guide to packing for your dog's trip:

1)  Have an overnight bag packed and handy at all times.  You never know when you'll decide to make a quick trip with our with out your pup.  Having an overnight bag packed (minus food) and ready to go will make these overnight trips an easy decision for you.

2) Provide written instructions with the following details:

• Feeding - how much, when, what, and any allergies
• Vet contact - phone, address, email, website
• Your contact information - cell phone, where you are staying
• Special commands/rules - if you have trained your dog, review your "rules" with who ever will be watching your dog.  Help your pet and the person watching them by providing commands and preferred behavior rules.  Besides, you don't want all that hard work to go to waste
• Exercise guidelines - your dogs favorite activities and how much play-time they'll need

3) Their "stuff".  Pack your dog's bed, crate, mat, blanket and even water/food bowls to make them feel as at home as possible.  Copley has a really handy pop-up travel crate.  We don't have this out in the house everyday, but I do use it for training and in-car transportation.  When Copley stays with my mom's and needs some space, she finds her crate and snuggles in.  It gives her a chance to get away and feel safe.

4) Food & Treats - duh!  Pack enough food for a few extra days.  Once, during a business trip, I missed my flight and was delayed 2-days.  Copley was staying with a family friend who didn't have enough food.  They were kind enough to buy some more but just in case - more is better.   Only pack items they've eaten or played with before to ensure your pet doesn't get sick!

5) Pack special chew toys & bones.  Believe it or not, whoever is baby sitting your dog will eventually need a break.  If you don't do it every day, taking care of dog is a lot of work.  And, if you aren't used to it...sometimes you just need a break.  Packing favorite chewy toys will help keep your dog occupied while the sitter gets a few minutes to themselves.  Be a good friend, don't pack things that squeek.  Copley's favorite is Kong (R) Goodie Bone.

6) You collar and leash should have a name tag attached.  While it's important to pack a collar & leash, make sure that your dog's name and an emergency phone # are attached (just in case).  Also, I pack Copley's harness so her sitter feels comfortable taking her for walks.

Do you pack any special items for your dog?  Share here.