Only on STX

hey manny-

right on!! i've just moved to STT and am amazed by how helpful people have been. as you mentioned, this would never happen anywhere else (and especially not here in philly).

so, you're transporting 4 dogs?? we're taking our 3 cats and have no idea what's in store for us when we fly them. what are you doing about this?

-celeste

Hello Celeste,
I am taking the Delta flight from Ontario, CA to Atlanta. I am staying overnight in Atlanta as I don't want the dogs to have a long layover. I am hoping to find a dog friendly hotel in Atlanta. I will leave for a direct flight to STX the next day. Hope your trip planning is as successful!! I am so grateful to find housing!!

Manny, if worst comes to worst, you can always stay at Motel 6. They have a national dog-OK policy. Also check out this site for dog-friendly hotels in ATL: http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/us/cities/usonlinecityGAAtlanta.shtml
One tip, you may not want to let them know you have 4 dogs. We travelled with 3 cats and 1 dog and found that people were more accepting of 2 cats and 1 dog. 4 dogs might freak them out.
Good luck!

Btw, I just checked some of the listings on that website and the Holiday Inn Airport North looks like a good bet b/c they are at the airport and allow 2 dogs per room (pretty rare even by dog-friendly standards). Probably nicer than Motel 6 too.

Hey Dr. D,
What is the best way to go about flying with a dog? My wife and I are moving down later this year and we are bringing our Doberman, Sella. She is ashe's kinda big (about 65-70 lbs.) but she is as sweet as can be. How do I work this out with the airport/airline?

I leave 5-31 for FL to ship the car first and then 6-3 fly from Miami to PR and then Cape Air to STX (cape air is so accomodating to pet owners) with 2 small terriers, WHFT Louie age 13 and his lovely wife Betty age 2 I will be staying @ Cottages by the Sea near F'sted @ the suggest of someone on this message baord
Hallelujah !! I agree the very definition of hospitality ---
REAL SOUTHERN STYLE Thank you everyone

I am starting out anew -- I have some friends already on island and 6-23 I start housesitting for 5.5 mos and then will need to
do a Blanche DuBois and "rely on the kindness of strangers" will
need a job ASAP and housing in the Nov 2005 for me and 2 dogs

I have to remember how confident I am in my skills !!!
I am a social worker-- gardener cook bartender waiter et al
Master's prepared Age 47 yrs young and full of adventure
(that I can't find any longer from Cubicle in Washington DC)

Thanks Message Board Fans - PS I have a Saturn -- will I have to pay excise tax ?

Hi Celeste,
Travelling with 4 large dogs has had its challenges. Yhe pet embarg0 starts on 5/15. That means that any animal travelling after that is shipped as cargo (more expensive). There is still a temperature limitation of 85 degrees, where they won't deliver any animals. It may be easier with cats. Good luck!

Travelling with a dog is more difficult when you have long layovers between flights. I broke my trip into two legs. Delta was great. They didn't charge me extra to break up the flight. I am trying to arrange for an animal relocation service to meet me at the airport in Atlanta, the end of my first leg. I want to find a dog friendly hotel (great advice from this board) and have even payed an extra peron to travel with me to help handle 4 large dogs! I hope this puts the least amount of stress on the animals. The other hurdle is the pet embargo which starts 5/15. It mns you can't take your pets to the islands as carry on baggage, but you have to book them as cargo. They fly in the same plane, just different rules for them to follow.
I am currently getting mixed information that they don't fly any animals as cargo to STX. I think this is a misunderstanding and am following up on this, but i believe that everything will find a way of working out!!
Good luck. Email me directly, if you would like.

Thanks Onika.
I just reserved a room! That Holiday Inn is a half mile from the airport. They even said they would pick me up....but we will see about that. Reasonable cost, $79/night. I had to fib and say my dogs were 75 lbs!

Dr D,
Why didn't the house you looked at, pass inspection. I am
looking at houses and would like to know of problems.

Thanks,
Stephen

Manny,

I just called American about flying with into St. Thomas with an 8lb Poodle and they told me he could fly as carry-on. I've not heard of a Pet Embargo? Who imposes this?

Hi Stephan,
The house i was checking out needed too much work to get in a habiyable condition. Also, construction wise, the rafters weren't attached with those hurrine straps. Electirical was VERY bad. Plunbing was a mix of copper and pvc...and on and on. The home inspector, Dan Sullivan did a great job!

Hi Kevin,
There is a general pet embargo on all animals flying into the Virgin Islands from may 15-Sept 15, IF they are travelling as checked baggage. You can still fly your pet in as cargo, as long as the temp does not go over 84 degrees. It is more expensive to ship via cargo. (My Rhodesian Ridgebak who weighs 140 lbs and has to travel in a Giant size crate, will cost me more than $1000.00 one way from Los Angeles to STX)

Does anyone know what the limitations are (weight, size...) on flying a dog as "carry on." I estimate that my dog and kennel weight about 85-90lbs and I would love to save that $$$ if she can fly as carry on. Can anyone help?

There is no wt linitation (perse) to have your animal travel as excess baggage. There is a siz limitation. An x-large crate will (27x30x40) is permitted as carry on. I have one dog in a giant crate. He is my challenge to get to STX!