Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[lindaler]

Well we can’t go on an ocean cruise but Chavela and I went on a kayak cruise this morning on the river. Just the two of us. 

Edited August 2, 2020 by lindaler

[Mavis and Me]

Just gorgeous - she looks so content! Thank you for sharing!!

[wizard-of-roz]

5 hours ago, lindaler said:

Well we can’t go on an ocean cruise but Chavela and I went on a kayak cruise this morning on the river. Just the two of us. 

Looks like so much fun!  But, I think I'll wait for that cruise ship!!!!!!!

[S.S. Cruisers]

Ha ha Roz, I can just see you and the big boy Horty in a kayak!  Think I'll way for a cruise ship, too.

 

Mz. Jezz y Lou was dropped off at Vet at 8:15 this morning.  The Vet called me and said her liver and kidney levels were elevated when they did the blood test.  2 options.  Have her eat, wait a while then re-elected test.  Wait on those test results and go from there.  2nd option to ahead with surgery knowing it is a risk.  Big risk is not waking up from anesthesia.  Knowing she is going to be 12 in February and loosing a dog this way as a kid, we are going with 1 st option.  Will no more when I pick her up this afternoon.  

[rpclmc]

On 8/2/2020 at 11:09 AM, lindaler said:

Well we can’t go on an ocean cruise but Chavela and I went on a kayak cruise this morning on the river. Just the two of us. 

I want to learn to kayak and to take Halo with.  I wouldn't be as brave as you, I would want someone to go with me.

 

Linda and Halo

[S.S. Cruisers]

Jezz y Lou is home.  Did the blood test, now must wait for results.  About a week maybe sooner.  They had to feed her since she had fastest the night before.  She got puppy food and they sent home the rest of the can with her.  She was on cloud 9.  I fed her her cry  food and a little more of the puppy food.  The Vet Tech said they only had to feed her a couple of table spoons so she was still hungry.  She drank a good drink of water went out and pottied and is back in resting.  In the mean time hubby called me into our room to ask me a question, when I turned around to come back out there was a ginormous wet spot on my bed!  I guess she had to go out again and we weren't paying attention!  I'm not having a good year.  

Edited August 4, 2020 by S.S. Cruisers
Spelling

[wizard-of-roz]

1 hour ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Jezz y Lou is home.  Did the blood test, now must wait for results.  About a week maybe sooner.  They had to feed her since she had fastest the night before.  She got puppy food and they sent home the rest of the can with her.  She was on cloud 9.  I fed her her cry  food and a little more of the puppy food.  The Vet Tech said they only had to feed her a couple of table spoons so she was still hungry.  She drank a good drink of water went out and pottied and is back in resting.  In the mean time hubby called me into our room to ask me a question, when I turned around to come back out there was a ginormous wet spot on my bed!  I guess she had to go out again and we weren't paying attention!  I'm not having a good year.  

Oh!  No!  Poor little Jezzy, she's not having much fun either.  I hope all tests come back O.K.  These dogs are really keeping us on our toes these days!

 

What ever happened to "normal?"  I'll take the good old days back again.  Just boring and normal!!!!  😉

[FolksOfMeans - ByNoMeans]

[wizard-of-roz]

5 hours ago, FolksOfMeans - ByNoMeans said:

How sweet is this!!!!!!   Never fails to bring tears to my eyes!

[lindaler]

So I have a question about where the relief stations are on different ships. Has anyone compiled a list?  It is always so confusing. I was told on Zaandam it will be on the promenade deck at the rear. But on the other three ships(ones just leaving HAL) it has always been on that hidden deck in back on deck two(main). I don’t do good with stairs and especially before I’ve had my morning coffee so want to be fairly near the relief station and on the same level. It’s taken weeks for HAL to tell my PCC that it should be on the promenade deck according to the special service department. 

[springredheadsdd]

I am flying to Yellowstone in September with Bella. I was told somewhere to bring something for her to chew on, on the flight. Her favorite things to chew on are antlers. Am I allowed to bring an antler chunk on the flight in my carry on? Not sure where to look to see if this is even legal. 

 

lindaler- I am also curious about this. I have not sailed since getting a SD but have seen several while on other ships. 

[lindaler]

I bring snacks for Chavela to chew and swallow. It helps to pop her ears. I’m not sure I would want a dog chewing on a bone under my feet or seat. It might be scary for other passengers. Water or a treat does the same but is less threatening. 

[wizard-of-roz]

3 hours ago, lindaler said:

So I have a question about where the relief stations are on different ships. Has anyone compiled a list?  It is always so confusing. I was told on Zaandam it will be on the promenade deck at the rear. But on the other three ships(ones just leaving HAL) it has always been on that hidden deck in back on deck two(main). I don’t do good with stairs and especially before I’ve had my morning coffee so want to be fairly near the relief station and on the same level. It’s taken weeks for HAL to tell my PCC that it should be on the promenade deck according to the special service department. 

There are over 900 pages to this thread and I do believe that every single page could be filled with your good questions and we still would NOT have a clear answer.

 

Carnival:  Will put a metal potty box with wood chips on your very own veranda.

 

Holland America:  Will use a wooden box filled with actual grass sod, placed on a forward deck outside the theatre [that will be washed down every morning and could be slippery when wet.]  We had a suite onboard the Oosterdam and requested a box be placed on our very large veranda and it was.  It all depends on who's in charge!!!!

 

Crystal:  Had a wooden box filled with mulch placed on our veranda.  They offered to walk Brenda and exercise her for me daily.

 

NCL:  Used a crew work closet, near our cabin, with a large wooden box filled with mulch.  This was the best box I've ever seen on a cruise.

 

Celebrity:  Had a wood box filled with wood chips, placed on a deck in the very back of the ship.

 

Princess:  Uses a heavy-cardboard box filled with wood shavings or mulch, placed in a stair well or a crew work area placed on the same deck as your cabin.....sometimes it's close by some times it's at the very end of the hall.

 

I bring a folded-up piece of artificial grass [packs very easily in your carry-on], and I place it over whatever filler the ship may be using.  Sometimes their filler is so rough it actually injures my dogs feet [Labs can have very webbed toes, like a duck.]

 

Always contact the Special Services Dept. of your cruise line and let them know what your needs are for your dog and it never hurts to let them know where you would like the potty box to be placed.

 

You will still have to visit the Pursers Desk [Passenger Services] when you arrive to the ship to let them know what you would like for your dog.  It never hurts to request that the box be placed on your veranda.

 

Also:  Visit the Dining Room, after you board, to let them know about any special seating arrangements that you would prefer for you and your dog.  I ALWAYS like a table that is placed against a wall or divider so that my dog can be place against the wall and not risk being stepped on by either the crew or other guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wizard-of-roz]

1 hour ago, springredheadsdd said:

I am flying to Yellowstone in September with Bella. I was told somewhere to bring something for her to chew on, on the flight. Her favorite things to chew on are antlers. Am I allowed to bring an antler chunk on the flight in my carry on? Not sure where to look to see if this is even legal. 

 

lindaler- I am also curious about this. I have not sailed since getting a SD but have seen several while on other ships. 

My dogs have flown many hours and have never had anything to chew on, except for ice cubes, of which you can always get from the flight crew.  I do bring my fold-up water dish and place the cubes in it.  Horton loves ice cubes, Brenda, not so much!

[springredheadsdd]

36 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

My dogs have flown many hours and have never had anything to chew on, except for ice cubes, of which you can always get from the flight crew.  I do bring my fold-up water dish and place the cubes in it.  Horton loves ice cubes, Brenda, not so much!

I had not thought of ice cubes. Bella loves ice. 🙂

[wizard-of-roz]

Good Weekend to Everyone!  

[springredheadsdd]

Sad to say our trip to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks are having to be canceled. It is just not safe to fly. This is our second vacation to be canceled this year due to Covid. 

 

Hope everyone is having a good day/ week. 

[wizard-of-roz]

17 minutes ago, springredheadsdd said:

Sad to say our trip to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks are having to be canceled. It is just not safe to fly. This is our second vacation to be canceled this year due to Covid. 

 

Hope everyone is having a good day/ week. 

Sorry about this cancellation but not surprised.  Hopefully, by the end of this year we will see many changes in our world and by the beginning of next year we will be able to go back to a more normal life......which will include making some much needed travel plans.  ☺️

[Plant]

23 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Sorry about this cancellation but not surprised.  Hopefully, by the end of this year we will see many changes in our world and by the beginning of next year we will be able to go back to a more normal life......which will include making some much needed travel plans.  ☺️

Really looking forward to those changes... .

 

[wizard-of-roz]

5 hours ago, Plant said:

Really looking forward to those changes... .

 

It, of course, will all begin with a Covid Virus Vaccine.  I know there are lots of groups who are anti-vaccine but I'm a "high risk" person and I, personally, will be the first one in line.  I can remember when Dr. Jonas Salk discovered the vaccine for Polio and we children had to line-up in our elementary school auditoriums to get the shot that was going to save all our lives, and there were folks then who didn't believe it would help.  Much later it was a simple, tasteful liquid that my babies would have to swallow and that horrible virus is gone......as will this one.....be gone!!!!!!    

 

Take care of yourself, don't take risks, hang in there, we will see a solution and resolution and before you know it we'll be writing about our cruises and travels and good times once again!! 

[Wendsong]

9 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

I can remember when Dr. Jonas Salk discovered the vaccine for Polio

Also, remember it took years (1930 - 1956) and there was an early failure in manufacture of the vaccine which resulted in some children actually getting polio. If they rush into this so quickly that they don't do enough testing, I think I'll wait for the second batch, thank you.

[S.S. Cruisers]

Jezz y Lou's blood tests all came back good.  They can't explain the elevated liver levels on surgery day, but glad they are good now.  Surgery has been re-scheduled for August 31.  She has an interim appointment today.  Fingers crossed we can this little girl all mended up.  After dogtor appointment we will cruise thru the Post Office to mail a letter.  She is such a good traveler when we are in the car alone.  If her dad and brother are in the car it is like a three ring circus.  She jumps from front seat to back seat back and forth!  Then tries to get in my lap while I'm driving! :O.  Finally she will lay down in the back sit with brother as long as he pets her.  They are impawsible!  

Here it is the weekend already. We are suppose to HEAT up starting this weekend.  Not looking forward to that.  Everyone have a great day and wonderful weekend. 

[wizard-of-roz]

8 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Jezz y Lou's blood tests all came back good.  They can't explain the elevated liver levels on surgery day, but glad they are good now.  Surgery has been re-scheduled for August 31.  She has an interim appointment today.  Fingers crossed we can this little girl all mended up.  After dogtor appointment we will cruise thru the Post Office to mail a letter.  She is such a good traveler when we are in the car alone.  If her dad and brother are in the car it is like a three ring circus.  She jumps from front seat to back seat back and forth!  Then tries to get in my lap while I'm driving! :O.  Finally she will lay down in the back sit with brother as long as he pets her.  They are impawsible!  

Here it is the weekend already. We are suppose to HEAT up starting this weekend.  Not looking forward to that.  Everyone have a great day and wonderful weekend. 

 

It's wonderful to have good news in these troubling times.  Take care of you, Jezzy and family.

Edited August 14, 2020 by wizard-of-roz

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy, healthy weekend to everyone ❣️

[rpclmc]

I was feeling sorry for people in hospitals and rehabs alone with no visitors.  Guess I wanted to see what it was really like.  Last Sunday at 1:15 pm I was coming back from my short stroll around the acre and heading toward the pooper scooper; just 1 pile to get.  There was a wasp that didn't like me and was trying to get me and sting me.  It was being way aggressive.  I took 1 little step to avoid it; did not hit a hole, branch, nothing.  Managed to twist and break my knee and ankle on the way down to the grassy, soft ground.  No breaks in the skin, compound fractures, but my knee and foot were not facing the right ways.  

 

My brother, a doctor, said not only should I not have broken anything but the break on both ends of the bone are unheard of except in severe care accidents.

 

I had surgery on the knee with a plate and screws put in.  The ankle need plate and both the inside and outside, but is too swollen for surgery.  So it is in a heavy stabilizer.

 

I spent 3 nights, 4 days in the hospital and now in the rehabilitation hospital.  I have only seen nurses, doctors and the assistants.  No visitors, service animals- but since I can't get up at all I am glad he is home with daddy, I haven't seen any other patients; I am completely isolated.  Now I know and it is hard.   

 

Luckily I am kept busy with OT, PT, recreational therapy, swallowing therapy, nurses with meds and check ups, doctors with check ups, assistant''s with bed pans, etc.

 

I am 100% non weight bearing for 4 months.  To say the least we are not getting back to Florida this year.  I seem to have lost this round of Jumanji; I really dislike 2020.

 

Hope everyone else is doing well.

 

Linda and Halo