Hey, guys. I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving. I had quite a few out-of-state family members here for my holiday. My brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews stayed with my little family at my house — and, their five doggies.

Imagine this, they brought their entire family on the trip with them to Bemus Point from Ocala, Fla. That’s quite the trip, and quite the climate change. Not to mention all the other changes they experienced along the way. New sights, new smells, and new everything. Their dogs did great along the way with a few pit stops obviously.

With another holiday coming, I thought this week we would talk a bit about travel, especially for our family members driving from palm trees to winter wonderland. Even if you’re traveling out of Chautauqua County and into the warmth, this article can be useful to you. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Get A Tune Up

Bring your car to the garage and give her a good tune-up. Let the mechanics do a quick check to make sure it’s good to go. Or, if you know how to do this, give her a check. Check the brakes. Check the fluids. Check all the goodies.

Breaking down on a road trip really stinks. It’s no fun for us or our dogs, especially when it’s cold outside.

Pack Everything

Yeah, we know you have your clothes, shoes, and the basic needs for your family. But, don’t forget to pack a few extra blankets for warmth just in case something should happen. Bringing a handful of towels isn’t a bad idea either.

Finally, don’t forget the first aid kit. For our dogs, make sure you have some extra water, food, and treats. Also, don’t forget some snacks, drinks, and even ready-made meals if you can get that far. Then, if you were to get stuck in traffic for a day, or have anything else happen, you’ll be fully prepared.

Pet-Friendly Places

If you don’t have a family member you’re staying with, make sure you have mapped out a bunch of dog-friendly locations along your route.

Believe me, it gets very old stopping hotel to hotel to make sure they accept dogs in the room. Some of them also restrict the number of dogs you can have per room so don’t forget to check that as well.

Try Not to Rush

I know. I just said try not to rush. Anyone who knows me understands how impatient I am with many things. Once I set my mind to something, it’s getting done and by the deadline I provide for myself. But there are just some things you shouldn’t rush.

While traveling and going on adventures, always take your time. This is your time with your family to enjoy the beauty of travel. There could be so many new sights to visit together. Plus, if you see something you would like to check out and it’s dog friendly, it would give your entire family an opportunity to stretch their bodies.

Most importantly, we want all of you to stay safe. Rushing to get somewhere isn’t worth risking lives. In areas that are slippery, where it’s snowing, etc., take your time and keep your eyes on the road. There are many accidents that could be prevented simply by paying attention.

Well, that’s all I have for you today.

Until next time.