I am a dog person. I happen to prefer Scottish Terriers above all other breeds, but I can honestly say there’s not a breed I dislike. Even the much maligned pit bull, bred with a fighting heritage, has a personality that is determined more by the actions of its owner than by its genes.
My current Scottie, Louie, is a fine fellow. Thoroughly faithful and terribly funny. He lives with two cats and gets most of his exercise fruitlessly chasing them. When we come in from our walks, he stops at the bottom step and stares in what seems like a trance-like state straight ahead at the riser to the second step for about ten seconds before continuing up to the porch. I believe in those ten seconds, he is invoking an incantation that goes something like this, "Please, please, please, please, please let me catch one of those damn cats."
E.B. White, the great New Yorker writer, often told of his beloved dachshunds, who, he said, understood so much of what (he) said (and) held it in such deep contempt. In recalling one dog, named Fred, White said when called into the house, Fred would take his time sauntering up to the doorway where he would stop and light up a cigarette before crossing the threshold.
I’ve traveled with my Scotties whenever possible. In Carmel-by-the-Sea, I like to stay at the Cypress Inn (Doris Day’s place) because of their dog-friendly policy. And indeed, much of the town is thoughtful about dogs and their needs. Many shop owners place water dishes at the curb in front of their places. In all their North American properties, Kimpton Hotels maintain a pet-friendly policy, as do the Fairmont hotels in several locations.
In Europe, I’ve cruised on one of the River Avon longboats with Louie—well leashed at all times. He’s been with me to Holne Chase, a country house hotel near Ashburton, England, although he didn’t care much for the fly-fishing. And though I’ve never taken him to Paris, whenever I’m there, I never fail to stop in at Mon Bon Chien for incomparable baked treats to bring home to him.
"Nuts," you say? Maybe. But Louie seems as happy to be with me as I am with him. What more can you ask from an animal—or a person?
Do you have any stories about traveling with a pet? If so, let us know about them.
Your editor,
Paula "Sit, Stay" Gifford