Story and photo by Melissa Buckley
GUIDON stuff
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Traveling with Fido can be stressful, for the two- and four-legged traveller alike.

There are several places within driving distance that you can visit — designed with your furry friend in mind.

Charlotte Hatton likes to bring her Italian greyhound, Henry, to Fort Leonard Wood’s Paw Park on Constitution Avenue for exercise.

“He is still young and he gets super excited,” Hatton said.

Since the Paw Park is conveniently located on post she brings Henry as often as she can.

“I try to bring him every time I’m off and every weekend,” Hatton said. “It gives him a chance to run since he loves to run, and interact with other dogs.”

For more information and Paw Park etiquette visit www.fort leonardwoodmwr.com/dog-park.php.

Some people like to dine with their canine companions at their feet. There are a few restaurants in our area with outdoor seating that allow dog owners to eat with their furry friends leashed beside their table.

Some local restaurants that offer dog friendly outdoor seating in St. Robert are Sonic Drive-in, Mama Mia Authentic Mediterranean and Panera Bread.

Located about two hours from Fort Leonard Wood is the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog in St. Louis, Mo. With it’s Fido friendly visitation policy the museum encourages visitors to bring their leashed canine companions and provides doggy treats, fresh water and even a place to exercise.

If your adventure is farther than a tank of gas can take you there are several things to consider while traveling with Fido.

If your destination requires flying, check with the Federal Aviation Administration and your airline prior to purchasing your ticket. Proper planning is key and pet availability on flights often depends on the weather and the age of the dog.

For more information about flying with pets visit www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_pets/.

Marsha Mercer, Candlewood Suites of St. Robert general manager, said 62 percent of pet parents travel with their furry friends and owners should do some research prior to departing on their journey.

“It is important that you choose a truly pet friendly hotel. Research your choices on the Internet and check out Trip Advisor for traveler reviews. Be sure to let the hotel know ahead of time that you will be checking in with a pet so the paperwork can already be completed before your arrival,” Mercer said.

There are several websites dedicated to helping pet owners travel successfully with their furry friends. A few of them include:

-- www.doggeek.com,

-- www.dogfriendly.com,

-- www.petfriendly.com and

-- www.petswelcome.com.

These sites allow you to search for hotels, beaches, Campgrounds and RV parks, even emergency veterinarians while on vacation.

Mercer said that while away from home, pet owners should look for hotels with a lot of grassy areas so they have room to play.

“Also, you might consider a hotel with larger guest rooms,” Mercer said. “Candlewood Suites gives each pet a treat bag upon arrival. The dogs get milk bones and raw hide sticks. The cats get play toys like mice and balls. We also have a pet form the owner completes with name of pet, special requirements, that sort of thing. We often will ask to take pictures of the pet to post on our Facebook page. We have a designated pet walking area with a cleanup station.”

Mercer also advises owners to pack something familiar, like a toy or blanket. 

“This way if the owner leaves the pet to go for dinner, the pet will feel less anxiety,” Mercer said. “We suggest a kennel for the pet with his favorite toy. This way he has something familiar around him.”

Another thing to consider — many establishments have an additional cost for animal guests.

“There is usually a fee and/or deposit required.  This is to cover special cleaning costs of the room after departure. Also, most hotels well ask for a credit card to be on file in case of damages a pet may cause. The fee at Candlewood is very minimal,” Mercer said.