“The Dog Lover’s Guide to Travel,” by Kelly E. Carter. National Geographic Books. $22.95.
Traveling with Fido requires an extensive checklist – and plenty of preparation.
Depending on your destination, mode of transportation and preferred accommodations, this colorful travelogue has plenty to offer. 
The author, founder of TheJetSetPets.com, serves up a wide assortment of tips for trips throughout the United States and Canada, organized geographically by Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Northwest, Southwest & Southern Rockies, West & Hawaii and Canada.
Ironically, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. are misplaced in the Southeast instead of the Northeast, where you would find them in any other guidebook.
Northwest entries include Bend, Ore.; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Missoula, Mont.; Portland; Seattle; Yakima Valley. Spokane, a city of more than 210,000 is not included, however.
Some of the most valuable information is presented at the outset with Carter’s cautions to study each airline carrier’s pet travel regulations far in advance of making reservations, particularly if you taking Fido to Hawaii or Canada.
For instance, in The Airline Skinny she notes puppies must be at least 8 weeks old to travel; many airlines will not accept brachycephalic or snub-nosed breeds (because of breathing issues); some airlines will not accept pets as checked baggage during the holiday season; most airlines won’t allow pets as checked baggage during extreme hot or cold weather; choose your seat selection carefully with your dog in mind should it be traveling in the cabin with you.
Color-coded city destinations include an introductory paragraph followed by these entries: Play, Haute Dog, Sit, Chow Time, Come, Unique Activity, Insider Tip and in some cases an entry for an emergency veterinarian, with a phone number, street address and web-site address.
A Resources guide includes top hotel chains in North America along with a list of pet-friendly airlines, including complete contact information.
Colorfully packaged and reader friendly, “The Dog Lover’s Guide to Travel” is a breezy resource for the owner with an adventurous spirit who prioritizes the need to do his/her homework first.
