Chihuahua Road Trip :: Travel & Leisure :: MOLI View

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Chihuahua Road Trip

By Cathay Che/MOLI

Woman and dog pursue the California Dream

Like many dog owners, I often scratch behind the ears of my cute, sleeping pooch and wonder about the quality of his life. I work too much, I'm away too much, and he's at home, always waiting and waiting and waiting for me to return (oh, the guilt!). I'm sure it's a version of what working mothers feel: a sense that no matter what I can provide because I work, that perhaps the little creature would prefer to have fewer toys and treats, a less plush dog bed, a more limited selection of Juicy Couture dog bags and Burberry leashes, even a less nice apartment — if only he could have more time with me.

So it was in this mindset, determined to make it up to Carlos, my five-pound white Chihuahua, that I started planning a doggy vacation. My idea: a road trip up the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in California, stopping along deserted beaches where Carlos could run, free from fear of becoming some big dog's lunchtime snack, and resting at cafes with outdoor patios where he could at least sit and sunbathe while I got some lunch.

I realize that having a five-pound dog makes travel a lot easier than having a 50-pounder. Dogs under 25 pounds can ride inside the airplane with you, in a certified travel dog bag under the seat, and are generally welcome at even the swankiest of resorts (in fact, with little dogs, the more stars the hotel has, the more likely they are to take them).

But even a little dog costs extra to fly with: $80 for each segment of the flight plus a valid health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. You have to get this from your vet, and the exam to get the certificate set me back $120. But what's $360 to offset my guilt over poor little Carlos's lackluster life, right?

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