I end up driving back and forth from Florida to NY because I don't think Brandy would tolerate making the trip any other way. I was thinking about leaving my van up north so I can just fly, but I have no dog solution.

No friend who could dog sit? (I totally understand that kennels are pricey.)

As I recall, Laura and fam spend most of the summer up there, so way too long a time period for that. For a week or weekend trip it might be different.

Lucy flew probably 10 or 12 times all told. The first time by herself - I sat in the car and cried after dropping her off. But she never had an issue. Are the dogs ever in crates?

March is a good time for flying dogs, since you don't usually have cold or heat issues to manage for. Is there a direct flight? I would be concerned about having a dog make a connection.

Chiming in really late just to say that the Miracleborns rock for being such loving, involved parents. You are so doing the right thing, and Em will thank you for it. Truly.

I am so going to Walgreens right now for my H1N1 vaccine.

Re: dog move. She is about 70 lbs and some kind of collie/sheperd mix (I think). She is a rescue dog that I've had for about ten months and in that time, I've learned that she hates cars (whines when she realizes she has to get in it and throws up even on short trips) and hates kennels, which is understandable since she was in the local shelter for almost three months after having been an outside dog out in the country for the first 3-4 years of her life. She is going to have a rough trip no matter what so I'm going to talk to my vet about the possibility of medication to help her sleep through it. I had considered driving with her but it is a three day trip and I think 8 hours of traveling (to and from the airport and a four hour flight) will work better for her.

I'd definitely look at medicating her, for her safety and comfort.

lcat, sounds like a case of motion sickness - so do ask the vet about medication - fortunately most motion sickness remedies are sleepy things as well. If the vet's no help, consider ginger capsules to help keep the tummy calm.

What's the chief advantage of getting vaccinated at Walgreens? Why, being able to treat oneself to a jar of Nutella without making any extra stops.

What are people planning for dinner tonight? We discovered a new Thai place during our adventures out today. So, we're going to get take out and open a bottle of wine.