By: Joel Allen
The room seemed to rock back and forth like someone was cradling us and trying to lull us to sleep. Every now and again the scream and grind of metal could be heard outside the train car we were in because of the steel wheels on the rails. Houston, when we first started our journey would raise his head and give a curious look like, “What is that noise and why are we rocking back and forth?” He would sometimes look back at me to see my reaction, and when he saw I was not alarmed, he would settle down. Since my Army days when I was in Korea, I have not been on a train, and like Korea’s train ride, this one was very relaxing. As we traveled on the train, the staff and conductor always stopped and complimented Houston on how well he behaved. Great Danes get a lot of attention as service dogs, and people are either amazed at their size or terrified they might get eaten. In Houston’s case, no one ever knows he is there until he gets up from his blanket. That’s how quiet he is. As a rule, I do allow staff, police, and EMTs to interact with my service dog. Why would I do that? Think about it. If an emergency happens and someone with a service dog needs assistance, it’s always good to train them not to panic and be used to people. I appreciate people who ask to pet my service dog. It is respectful and gives Houston new opportunities to meet different people. Anyway, in this article I will share with everyone what it was like to travel a great distance for two days with a service dog and how to be prepared for things to come.
So, we took the train to Maine. Houston had a great time. When he was not sleeping on his blanket I usually bring with us, he was staring out the train car window with a curious look on his face. He watched as the scenery went by for a while, then he looked at me again checking on me, and then laid back down.
So, here is what I learned on a train ride traveling with a service dog. To start with, I recommend anyone making plans to travel to notify who you’re traveling through like I did with AMTRAK that I would be traveling with my service dog. I also notified them he was a Great Dane, to ensure they knew I needed a little more room than most people with service dogs. AMTRAK was very receptive and met my accommodations I needed.
Now, when traveling with your service dog, it is always wise to pack a drinking bottle for your dog. During my travels with my service dogs, I will give them some people food to hold them over until we get to where we are going. I know, some of my readers will not agree with me, but that is okay. Lugging a bag of dog food is not a great or logical idea, and besides, I was raised that dogs ate people food and lived longer than they do on the marketed dog food today. I always bring a very comfortable blanket that is easy to fold and is very temper-pedic for their joints. When Houston does not have a blanket that is comfortable, he will not remain long in one place. It would be wise to also purchase a thin, small blanket to fold inside the dog blanket to give additional comfort on cool or cold nights during your travels together.
As we traveled, I would always ask the conductor how long we would be stopping and time Houston’s bathroom breaks with long stops. Note to self: In some areas of the country, it is frowned upon if one does not clean up after their dog, service dog or not, and in some parts of our country, one can be fined for this if the mess is left. So, be sure to pack some doggy bags for cleanup and know the laws and ordinances where traveling. Also, it would not hurt to pack your own Walmart plastic bags because through some areas one travels, plastic is outlawed. Let’s say we are traveling and Houston becomes thirsty. Let’s also add that I forgot his watering bottle designed just for dogs. No worries! I always travel with a sharp pocket knife and will find myself carving up a
plastic cup forming a trough for Houston’s muzzle to fit, and I pour water into this to satisfy his thirst. I recommend giving water every other time your service dog pees somewhere.
I also found that stopping at different train stations, such as Washington DC’s train station, one should ask the staff or a police officer where best to walk your service dog to use the bathroom. Remember, in places like DC, cleanup behind your service dog is required.
All in all, it took two days to travel, and Houston was a rock star as always. One more thing I would insist on is to ensure your service dog’s tags are up to date in case you’re separated, and additional information should be printed on the tags. For example, Houston’s tag states his name and my contact information. I list it like this:
Dad-my number
Grandma-her number
Auntie-her number
I also have my address on there too. Houston is micro-chipped, but I do not trust technology.
Well, folks! Traveling is easy with a well-trained service dog. Houston met other service dogs and one police dog. He was a model canine citizen. God bless you all and see y’all next month.
By: Joel Allen
November 1, 2024
