Traveling on Southwest Airlines, Flying with Pets

Continuation of Award, click here
Southwest Airlines is always my first choice for flying, and luckily it goes to most of the locations I've traveled. There are many pluses to choose Southwest over other airlines, in my opinion. Southwest has good rates, excellent customer service, is the only airlines not charging for luggage, you can earn free tickets, you can if necessary change your plans and not be penalized for changing your ticket, your flight if not used is good for one full year, they donate to Ronald McDonald Charities, they have an earlybird check in program for only $10.00 on line, AND they have the P.A.W.S. program where you can bring your pet with you.

Things you need to know about flying with your pets:

You do need to reserve a spot for your pet, by calling 1-800-1-FLY-SWA. You can NOT make your pet reservation on line. The cost is $75.00, and once made needs to be picked up in person at the ticket counter.
Your pets does not earn reward points
You do not get a refund if you decide not to travel with your pet
There's generally a limit of 5 pets per flight (there are sometimes alterations to this)
Only 1 pet may travel with you
Your pet must be a small (cat or dog) that fits into a small carrier. The pet must be able to stand up and turn around in the carrier.
The carrier must fit under the seat
Pets can not travel in the cargo area, they can only travel with you in the carrier under the seat
No minors may travel with a pet solo
Pet carriers do count as a carry on bag
Carriers can be hard or soft sided, must be well ventilated, and leak proof
At no time during the flight may the pet be removed from the carrier, not before, or during. Not while in line at the gate. The ONLY brief time the pet may be held is when you go through the security
ASSISTANCE DOGS do not count as a carry on bag
Airports do one at least 1 area where your pet can go potty; but no flight or seat will be held while this takes place. The program P.A.W.S. stands for Pets Are Welcome on Southwest.

I've earned a free ticket, though I've not used it; so has hubby. Our daughter's earned several.

I'd also like to add the only airlines where the staff seems to enjoy their jobs is Southwest. They always dress for the holidays, decorate the gate area and or counter. So, whenever possible I fly Southwest.
(Above dogs are Maddie and Annabelle, they belong to my SIL. I think they would be too large to fly from the carriers I've seen). I checked with Jan and they each weight 17 pounds. She and I discussed whether they would fit in a carrier be able to stand up and turn around etc. It would be iffy, we think.

Jan update as of 8:30 ish Tues 24th, she tried to go a day without pain med; except for taking it before bed. She was in pain and wonders if that wasn't such a good idea after all. She had trouble trying to get comfortable last night and didn't sleep well. Sounds like she might have done too much yesterday; so hopefully will take it a bit easier today. Her follow up with the Doctor is Sept 1. Her computer is fixed; though she may not still be using it. Sitting is painful, so she moves around a bit and lays back down/or sorta in a recliner. She appreciates the good wishes, and the prayers.

Traveling is always an Adventure

Continuation of Award, click here

This house is old. Really old, look how narrow the door on the right is. Look at the window, the little pointed one on the very top. See the coal shoot to the left of the steps by the door? These things are give you a feel for how old the building is. I believe it predates 1900. This is located on Gwynne Street in Urbana Ohio. Gwynne is a name that comes up multiple times when one looks at older historical data regarding Urbana Ohio. On a recent trip to check on my 90 year old, my Dad I decided to go by 2 addresses where he and Mom lived long ago. When they were first married. We didn't stop here, I took this photo out the car window. I'd like to find out more about the house, it's structure. I can share it's on the corner of Russell and Gwynne. To the left facing it used to be a grocery store and above it a couple my folks had dinner with once. Dad re-canted a story about being served squirrel. We both got a good laugh out of that. This excursion was brief and we combined it with the business at hand; but this certainly proves my point that ALL Travel is an or can be an adventure if you make it so.
This little house in the process of being painted is across the street from a Dairy Queen on North Main Street and is the 2nd location where my parents lived. This was their 1st house. The other locations were either rooms, apartments or duplex's like in the above picture. I found a note in the old family album that had this actual address and so we scouted it out. The lot next door (to the left as you face the house) is empty; though Daddy remembers there being a house there when they lived there. You can still see where the drive was; so apparently the house was torn down. This little house looks like it's getting a face lift. It's a small 2 bedroom 996 square foot house with an attic.
See the 2 small attic windows? In my growing up years Mom and Dad used to tell a story about bats being in the house. This was in fact the house. The story went on, they opened the windows in hopes the bats would leave. When they didn't Daddy attempted to chase them out with a broom, when he did he followed them outside running with the broom and fell. Apparently, everyone got a good laugh out of that at the time. The little house hasn't changed much, except maybe a large tree is gone. My research tells me this little house was built in 1900, and has changed hands many times. It was fun to see where they began their married life together all those years ago. The Dairy Queen they ate at, is still across the street. How cool is that!

Make your travels adventuresome, stop and see and enjoy the sites; no matter how small they seem. I was born in this little town so learning more about it has been a plus.

*** 8-18-10 afternoon and pm---Jan from Animal Talk is on countdown now with surgery scheduled bright an early tomorrow am. She's running last minute errands today to be as ready as possible. I'll post update tomorrow after surgery, and do my best from there forward, until such time she has a live computer again....and or when she's able to sit up and communicate with you all herself. Send good vibs and prayers her way, please.

****UPDATE
AS OF 1:00 PM same day as surgery 8-19th
Surgery went well, she has metal plates, and 2 metal rods. Based on the testing done during surgery, there didn't appear to be any permanent nerve damage which is great news. Due to being nauseated, she was in recovery a bit longer then expected. When I left the hospital, she was sleeping and obviously in pain. Her husband, my brother and a good friend who's a nurse were with her. We'll go back later when's she's more rested and presumably awake. Do check back, I will update again later.
------as of 4:30 when I was started to head back to hospital.
My brother suggested not going as she was completely out and would not be able to visit, and certainly we didn't want to wake her when she needs her rest. Will be going tomorrow am.

8-20 1 pm, Jan had a clear liquid diet and managed a pop sickle or two. Physical Therapy has been in the room hoping to get her up in a chair and do a bit of walking. She was up in chair briefly; but was too groggy to attempt walking and so went back to bed. The combination of pain meds and meds for continued nausea have snowed her. They plan to alter her meds to see if they can reach a level where she's comfortable enough to get up, and hopefully also contain the nausea. Please check back. I passed along the good wishes you've left for her and she was pleased to hear them.

8-21-10 9AM, the change in pain meds seem to be helping. She was able to get up and walk down the hall last night. Few more tests planned for a little later today, and pending how she does on those; could be released today. I'm floored she's improved that much, such exciting news. My brother is picking up a special lift chair (sorta like a recliner) to aid her at home.

She's home! jan went home mid to late afternoon on Sat Aug 21, yesterday.
She's happy to be home, is to limit her movement, the nausea is gone. I checked with my brother twice and things seem to be going well. Check back!

Last update, I spoke with my brother once yesterday and also later with her. She's doing much better. She's allowed to go up and down the steps just once a day so is camped out in the family/room right by the kitchen with a nice big window to see outdoors. The 3 dogs are thrilled to have her home. She sat outside for a few minutes later in the day which made her happy. She's requiring less pain meds which is a good.
Spoke with her again this am and she slept better last night.