<p><a href="http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/12/ho-ho-ho-are-holidays-already-here.html" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2878" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Bella-300x224.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="224" /><strong>Last year I mouthed off about how I thrived on holiday airport bustle.</strong></a>  I was miffed that the airport in my fair city (recently rated #1 in some sort of stellar airport survey -- I heard it on the radio and can't remember specifics) ran so smoothly that I encountered absolutely no bustle.  Humbug. </p>

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<p>This year, I changed my tune real fast.  Bella was flying with me to Houston for the holidays, and I needed everything to run like a well-oiled machine.  I am embarrassed to say how much time I spent doing everything within my power to make sure that Bella was as comfortable as possible.  Bella is a recent rescue, so she deserves the very best.  :-) </p>

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<p>Here is a snapshot of my recent plunge into canine air travel insanity.  If you plan on air travel with your small pooch anytime soon, consider this your "What to Expect When You're Expecting -- Canine Air Travel Edition":</p>

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<ul>
	<li>I spent HOURS researching the perfect carrier that would fit under a Southwest airlines seat that is only 8 inches tall.  My dog whom everyone describes as "little" suddenly felt like a Great Dane.  I am forever indebted to <strong><a href="http://www.dogjaunt.com/" target="_blank">Dog Jaunt</a></strong>travel blog for their carrier reviews and comments.  I also want to thank my friend, Kassy, who listened to me drone on and on and on about my predicament.  She even measured her recent carry-on that she swore was higher than 8 inches and fit under a Southwest seat. </li>
	<li>Once my SturdiBag arrived, I spent a couple of days acclimating Bella to the bag with treats and the "clicker method".  I also fed her on the opening of her bag so that she would associate the bag with good times. </li>
	<li>Once Bella became used to the bag, we went on a mock run to Bone Appetit doggy bakery so that she would have fun stuff to look forward to when she came out of the bag.</li>
	<li>I spent $41 (choke) on DAP (dog appeasing pheremone) which mimics the hormones put off by mothers when they are nursing their pups.  When you don't have human children, you tend to go a bit overboard. </li>
	<li>I already had Rescue Remedy on hand.  I've always used this on my dogs to calm any anxieties.  People can use it to.  Just say no to harsh drugs and pop some Rescue Remedy, peeps.  It's sort of like a homeopathic -- completely non-toxic and no side effects.   </li>
</ul>

<p>Did all of this homework pay off? </p>

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<p>Bella was a perfect angel (as usual).  Sky Harbor Airport is indeed #1 -- one of the craziest travel days of the year and NO lines.  I've moved from Humbug to Hallelujah.  <br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>Traveling with a canine child is absolutely exhausting.  I don't know how you parents of human kids do it.  You've earned 5 gold stars in my eyes.<br class="spacer_" /></p>