Traveling puppy

Question
QUESTION: My wife and I are looking forward to getting our new Cocker puppy after losing our little angel last September. Unfortunately the US breeder is 800 miles away. Only Air Canada has a direct flight but no longer allows dogs in the cabin. I'm very concerned of the possible emotional trauma (ie fear of the kennel) that a 9 week old puppy would experience. The flight is 1.5hrs. AC says the lugagge area is presurised and heated. What are your thoughts? Thanks Larry.

ANSWER: Under no circumstances would I allow my dog to be put in the baggage compartment.  You're right to be concerned.
I suggest trying another airline that will allow small dogs to be brought on board with you.

It's more than just trauma - the airlines are sued constantly for losing dogs - dogs arriving dead.  Don't forget your dog is in the hands of a minimum wage baggage handler and really, really bad things can happen.  

Where are you Larry and where is the breeder?
Delores


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Delores for your advice. We're in Calgary and the breeder is in Seattle. I'll check with United for a non direct flight as they use Air Canada for their direct flight  and must follow their rules. If not it will be a driving holiday (about 12 hours in the car)

Also I would be very interested in hearing what you advised Kimon on the home made diet. At age 11 our previous cocker developed some unresolvable skin issues. To our delight a supplemented balanced (as best as we could determine) diet solved the itch, dropped 5lbs of excess weight and increased her energy. She lived to be 18. Some reading I've done doesn't recommend any grains. I'm open to BARF but would like to get  opinions from those that are unbiased.
Thanks again Larry.

Answer
Larry, you're the only owner who's had a cocker that lived even longer than our darling Chester who made it to his 17th birthday.
I attribute a lot of that to homemade food & supplements.

I'd be more than happy to discuss raw vs. cooked (I'm against raw
but if you decide on it, at least I can direct you to a group that will teach you to do it correctly).

Getting a new baby cocker off to the right start would be such a pleasure for me and nutrition is the key.

Do write me directly (DeeBeck7765@aol.com) since this can all get very chatty :) and I have an FDA report on airline transport of pets I'd like to send you too.  If you had any doubts, this will confirm your decision.  Very scary and something the airlines settle out of court and keep out of the media as best they can.

For owners like you I'm totally available :)  I love this breed and wish more people understood how to feed - how to train and that a lot of the cocker "issues" can be avoided.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Delores