Flying my yorkie underseat

Question
Hi, I have an 8 lb. yorkie who has never flown.  We've decided to take her this time so we both can go.  One of us used to stay home to care for her but when I found a carrier on wheels, I thought that this is the time.  She's also 8 yrs. old in excellent health.  I don't know how she will react but intend on trying her out in the carrier and wheeling her around a bit.  However, I would like to administer a natural calmative and not a drug to keep her calm.  I've heard about Rescue Remedy and a few others, but since there are a few to choose from, I don't know which one to choose.  I also read about combining some herbs.  Am I best off giving her holistic, since I was told that there isn't much in figuring out the dosage?  We're leaving the 15th., this coming Wed., hoping you'll be able to get back to me before then.  I'm taking her to the vet on Tue. for a shot that she needs and if need be, have him prescribe something but, as I said, I'm hesitant, since I've heard some horror stories about medication stopping a little dogs heart, etc.  Thank you for your kindness, consideration, and attention in the matter.  Shirley and Kelly-Anamarie, my yorkie

Answer
To be honest with you I don't know enough about what holistic sedatives are out there to recommend anything. There are herbs that are toxic to dogs and since I don't know what they are, I wouldn't feel comfortable at all telling you what to use.

I do know that the sedatives that the vet has are safe when given as directed. I have never heard of any sedative stopping a dog's heart. Anesthetics yes, sedatives, no.

So ask your vet about using those and the alternatives. Many vets do know about herbals and can give you a suggestion on what to get and how to dose it. Don't think because an herbal remedy is herbal that dosage doesn't matter. It does.

If your dog has never been in a kennel or in loud, noisy places you are starting a bit late to get her used to it. She will most likely need a sedative since she will be pretty freaked out. Why have you not boarded her in the past? That would have been the solution so that you could both travel. Millions of dogs are boarded daily with no issues at all.
She will need time to get used to this carrier and to being around loud places so you might want to take a trip to the airport tomorrow and start acclimating her to it. Be prepared for some diarrhea issues. That is what happens when they stress pretty bad.
Good luck and let me know how the trip went.