Doggy bag
If you can't bear to leave your beloved pet at home when you travel, you may be in luck - well, in Canada anyway - from July 1st, Air Canada and its regional airline, Jazz, will allow customers to book a space under their own seats for their pet to travel with them - but the furry friends are not yet allowed on flights to or from Britain...
Donny Osmond called it Puppy Love, but little did he know that, 35 years on, our canine companions would be tugging at our heartstrings to the tune of £294 million a year.
Forget country walks and Pedigree Chum, today's dogs expect nothing less than canine bakeries, massages, bespoke clothing and their own weddings.
Luxury hotels, Health Spas, and even Doga (Dog Yoga), have become staples, helping pooches cope with their hectic lives. The adage ‘It's a dog's life,' has taken on a whole new meaning.
As if canine nail-varnish and Bark Jacobs shoes weren't extreme enough, now the travel industry is cashing in on the £4 billion pet market.
The introduction of the Pet Passport scheme in 2000, which allows animals to travel without months in quarantine, has seen the number of holidaying pets shoot up, indeed, Virgin and Midwest Airlines already offer frequent flier miles for pets.
Now, Air Canada has got in on the act. But one quick question, Air Canada - what would you do if a passenger like my dad boarded the plane - with severe allergies to animal hair? Well, the airline has said they will ‘consider the needs of passengers with allergies when allocating seats and a maximum of four pets can be carried on each flight.'
Owners must also store their pets in ‘leakproof containers' weighing a maximum of 10kg and will pay £30 for a domestic flight in North America or £60 for international flights.
Taking your pet on holiday has become increasingly popular, both in America and across the pond in Blighty. As more and more Brits are planning staycations this year, the number of pets being taken along is set to increase even further.
Hotel chain Best Western has reported a whopping rise of 150 per cent on bookings from those wanting to holiday with their pets.
The chain offers customized dog-beds and ‘fine-dining' options from its canine menu.
Barking.
Picture by eelviss