“A dog lover of the highest order,” is how Gayle King introduced Carol Bryant when she and her Cocker Spaniel Dexter appeared on Oprah Radio’s Gayle King Show to dish dogs. A frequent media contributor, Carol has appeared on television, radio and in print and of course you can find her online with her popular dog blog FidoseofReality.com, focussing on vital dog health and wellness.

Speaking of which… Wigglebutt Warriors® is the fundraising arm of the Fidose of Reality and has raised a whopping $50,000+ for homeless Cocker Spaniels to assist with medical, food, and basic needs until they find their forever homes. (Three cheers!) Click to learn more about becoming a Wigglebutt Warrior so that more homeless dogs can be helped.

Carol is also the PR and marketing manager for BlogPaws which runs a brilliant annual conference for pet enthusiasts eager to learn more about the business of blogging and mingle with pet brands. You can book now for BlogPaws 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (I went to Vegas 2014 & Nashville 2015 and highly recommend it!)

TIME TO HIT THE ROAD!

When traveling in the car with you, is Dexter a) sat in your lap, paws on the steering wheel b) head out the window taking it all in c) laid-back and snoozing or d) secure in carrier e) other behavior!

Dexter has a harness belt for the back seat and I am usually the passenger so we sit together. If we are parked somewhere I will sit up front and he will sit on my lap.

If you could click your fingers and wake up anywhere in the world with Dexter, what destination would you most like to experience together and why? 

I love traveling with my dog and have been traveling with a Cocker Spaniel for 22 years now. I went everywhere with my last Cocker, Brandy Noel, and Dexter is the same way. We love to go cross country as a family, so I would say to visit all 50 states and explore this great nation over the course of six months. I would alternate staying in pet-welcoming accommodations and an RV.

What is your fondest memory of taking a trip with Dexter?

Going to the Grand Canyon. It was breathtaking and such a highlight for our family. I would say second place is Albuquerque, New Mexico, because we are huge Breaking Bad fans. We went on a pet-friendly trolley of all the famous locations from the show, and Dexter had a 3-hour blast with us.

Do you have an all-time favorite dog-friendly accommodation? Perhaps one that went above and beyond in terms of making your furry friend welcome?

Yes, the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine is our favorite. Maine is one of the most pet friendly states we’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Cape Elizabeth is a quiet town in Cumberland County and home to some gorgeous lighthouses. If you stay at the very pet-welcoming accommodations from Inn by the Sea, you’ll have access to Crescent Beach. The beach is conveniently located behind the Inn so access is easy, though the hours that pets are welcome vary, and the months they are welcome varies, too. (You can read more at Bodie’s Guide to the Inn by the Sea as he is also a huge fan!)

Have you ever had any doggie disasters while traveling with a pet? 

Thank goodness, no. You have to have eyes in the back of your head when traveling with a dog. I worry about the kids who come out of nowhere and want to pet Dexter. Sometimes they come over and are yelling and screaming. My dog has his Canine Good Citizen title and is used to kids but I always tell parents not to let their children come up to dogs, try to pet them, not ask, and/or be unsupervised.

Any tried & tested tips for happy travels with your dog? 

Yes, many. These 9 tips are time-tested and my best! (BELINDA: I particularly like Three Questions to Ask the Front Desk Before Booking a Room.)

http://fidoseofreality.com/top-9-tips-for-traveling-with-dogs/

HAPPY TRAVELS!