that picture is ADORABLE!

One thing to add, especially if you're staying in someone's home with your dog... Nobody likes someone else's dirty dog!

I always groom our dog right before we travel with him. Bath, nail trim, blow out and brushing and people are usually so impressed with how good my dog always looks and smells, and that he's not shedding all over their house that our 45lb Australian Shepherd is always welcome to come with us to friends and family's houses.

I'm curious (and nervous) about travelling with larger dogs, not small toy dogs that travel alongside their owner. Has anyone really bad/good experiences and travel tips? I always wonder about taking my dog on an airplane but am scared to do so, as he'd be separated from me. I seem to only ever read and hear about the tiny dogs on sites like this.

But if you take the "ooch" out of "pooch", all you're left with is "p"! I've had enough experience dealing with canine incontinence when traveling with dogs.

I would never travel anywhere with my dog that I would have to put him in a crate and not be able to take him into the plane with me. Airlines have horrible track records and it's not safe or comfortable with the dogs. We'd rather drive 12 hrs (and have) or more to our destination rather than "check" our dogs like luggage. Heck, I don't even check my shoes!

@SHOEDAYDREAMS Heck, we've driven over 24 hours each way (up and down the east coast) to be able to bring our Great Dane to visit my parents with us. I would never put her in the bottom of a plane.

I've never travelled with a large dog but I did fly cross-country with 2 cats, one of which had to go in cargo (I use this term, but it is actually a seperate, temperature-and-pressure-controlled room that is manned with an attendant). I was very anxious as to how it would go, but the airline was very helpful and the whole process was much easier than I thought it would be.

My only complaint is that there is a limit to the number of pets that they can take in cargo so your pet may take a different flight than you which they inform you of prior to take off. This happened in my case, so it was a bit of a hassle having to claim my kitty, but less than it was switching planes with my other cat plus my carry-ons. In fact, I think my cat that was in cargo was much more comfortable as the carrier was larger, the temperature more comfortable (the one I took into the cabin was on the floor under the seat having hot air blown on her from the floor vents), and she wasn't surrounded by strangers peeking in her carrier or, worse, small, unattended children sticking their fingers and faces at her (you would think no one had ever seen a cat before they way they reacted to mine in her carrier).

I've only traveled once with my large dog and I was a complete basket case but it couldn't have gone better. First of all our dog loves her kennel so that makes all the difference. Secondly, the airlines we flew with were extremely caring and well-versed in cargo pet travel. They never let the plane leave the gate until they brought us the ticket from our dogs kennel saying "I'm on the plane!" One thing I would recommend though is to get straight through flights and not have any plane changes. Traveling with our large dog was so easy I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. There are all kinds of websites that will freak you out about flying with your large dog and not all airlines are equal so do your homework but don't let it stop you.

We fly with our dog all the time, and he is always checked below the plane. We've never had a problem. I think it really depends on your own attitude and level of anxiety. Finn is always happy to go to the airport and meet people/sniff new smells, and he happily jumps in his crate when it's time to go. Book as far in advance as possible. We don't fly with him in summer or winter (I would be too afraid of it being too hot or cold, even though it's temperature controlled down where they put the pooches).

Obviously make sure he's comfortable in his crate in general and has no anxiety about it. Give him lots of exercise before going to the airport. Arrive early so that you're not stressed, and you'll have lots of time to take him for an additional walk once you've done preliminary check in at the counter. We give him half a sedative that we get from the vet---not enough to make him dopey, just to make him extra calm. I have a dish that attaches to his crate which I put in the freezer with water the night before. Then it can slowly defrost over the course of the flight. Usually give him a new chew stick or peanut butter kong right before he is carried off. I also attach a sheet to the top of his crate that has flight number, flight transfer information, my name, phone number, and seat numbers. Info about the dog, and a picture of him. I tape a ziplock bag to the top of his crate with extra food in case of a lay-over/delay. Be friendly to EVERYONE who works at airport. Ask when you check in if someone will confirm with you when dog has been loaded onto the right plane. Ask again before boarding the plane. Ask again once on plane. As long as you're calm and friend, and explain the situation, the flight attendants/cargo crew/captain will likely be happy to help.

That said, we've only ever flown with Finnegan on domestic flights within Canada (West Jet/Air Canada). I couldn't imagine ever checking him below on an American flight, as I've never once flown within the US and had myself delivered either on time and/or to the correct location.

I used to be open to traveling with our dogs until a few weeks ago, I loaded up our Boston, Abby, to run some errands with me. We didn't even make it two miles from home before she threw up all over me, the seat, the window, the door, the steering wheel, the seatbelt, the cupholder... Everywhere. (She was sitting in my lap. I have a single-cab truck so there's no backseat and a kennel won't fit up front.) I couldn't even pull over right away, I had to keep driving covered in vomit. And then I ran out of napkins and hand sanitizer and had to wash myself off with Armour All wipes. Ugh. She doesn't normally get carsick. Ever since, I refuse to go anywhere with them except to the vet.

We have a "Chi-Russell"" (chihuahua/jack russell) and a lab/pit mix that go EVERYWHERE with us. We always drive as a flight would kill them with panic and anxiety. They're rescue pups and have the spook factor big time. It's easy, fun and our family/friends love seeing them. Being house-trained is key and we always bring their "stuff." Beds, toys, treats. They love the long drives, heads out the windows for hours, the stops to pee, all of it!

Also, stay in Best Western owned hotels, they are all pet friendly. Just learned this while staying in NOLA and ran into a British man with a chihuahua in the elevator. He said wherever he goes around the world he stays with BW because they are so nice and helpful with your pet.

@confounded -- that comment made me laugh so hard.

Maybe it's just me but travel is never NOT stressful. Thank goodness I have several people that can watch my animals when I go out of town. For those that take their animals I commend you I sure couldn't do it!