Should you take your dogs on vacation?

As I sat outside enjoying yet another beautiful San Diego sunrise, I can't help but think about the little boys. Wouldn't they have loved a break from the harsh, cold winter?

We stay with our brother and sister-in-law who have a gated compound. I think of how the dogs would run their hearts out on the lush, green grass. How little Rocki, who we suspect is part pig, would be in his glory digging in the tropical foliage. How Bruiser, our little sun worshipper, would park himself by the pool and sun himself to his heart's content.

We have often toyed with bringing them but I have many reservations about putting them in a cage on a plane. My misgivings were given more weight when I saw a woman in the Minneapolis airport with her little white Maltese. The poor thing was so scared it shook as she dragged it on it's leash past the hordes of people in the security lineup. I read of a dog dying on one of the airlines and now they don't allow pets anymore. However, if we drove down here, we could bring them. Although to drive for four days there and four days back pretty much voids the concept of a two week vacation.

So for now, we must leave the boys at home. And for us, it's like leaving our children. If we came for six months we certainly would make the drive. However, the winning lottery ticket has so far eluded us. :-) So, we plan for the future...six months in Canada and six months in sunny SoCal with the boys.