In November I had the misfortune to arrive at Denver International Airport—luggage and ski box included—ten hours early. Not smart scheduling. I was counting on snagging space available on an earlier flight, but that was not to be. I was prepared for a long wait. What I wasn’t prepared for was the FAA regulation that forbids checking luggage earlier than four hours prior to departure. There I was, stuck in the front lobby of the airport, with a six-foot box of skis and luggage for six hours! Sigh.
With all that time to observe travelers, I was surprised by the number of traveling pooches. As a matter of fact, I began feeling just a tad jealous of those mutts for being able to waltz right through the check-in line, while I sat holding my bladder.
Sandy, are you looking for Annie?
Best dressed canine
It pays to be a well-dressed traveler. I suspect there’s a treat involved.
Some lucky dogs don’t have time to sit around watching the action.
Rangewriter 
Linda, I understand the nature calls thing. As for the pooches, I have this image of the dogs taking off like geese in a flying V. Happy holidays. Keith
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best to you as well Keith!
LikeLike
That was bad planning but at some airlines there are places to store baggage temporarily. I paid about $11 to store my luggage at the Sea-Tac airport so I could take the lightrail downtown for about 5 hours, then took lightrail back, picked up my bags and boarded.
Another friend of mine got caught that way by showing up to the Boise airport about 6 hours too early. I had offered her a chance to do the Preservation Idaho tour of the Bench and she chose badly.
I was happy to see a bit of snow today because it puts me in the mood for the holiday. Seattle won’t have any. A friend came back from Sun Valley with photos of all the snow there. Wow!
LikeLike
I probably should have pushed at the ticket counter a bit more. I didn’t think to ask if there was a place to store my ski bag. Oh well, at least I got my book read for book club!
Yes, the snow has been spectacular. Such a pleasing sight after so many dry years. Hope you have a lovely time in Seattle…and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get a clear day or two?
LikeLike
Hope the skiing made up for the long wait, Linda. My sister travels with her cats. Happy Holidays and to a wonderful New Year!
LikeLike
Thanks, Geralyn. The skiing and time with friends/family was well worth the wait. There was someone traveling with a cat, but I didn’t think to start taking pictures till long after that pair had moved on. I can’t imagine traveling with a cat…or a dog, for that matter. 😉 Have a great one yourself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely post. However I pity them flying in the cargo hold. That must be terrifyingly noisy ….
LikeLike
Sybil, I had the impression these guys were flying in the cabin with the family. The cargo is no place for pets. I’ve always wondered how they ship horses across the pond for races and shows and stuff. I suspect the planes used for prize horses must be decked out in some special way. I hope so, anyway!
LikeLike
haha, I love your images and observations! Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season!
LikeLike
Thanks Susan, I love Christmas and we even had a white one, this year! Hope the New Year is good to you.
LikeLike
haha so cute! What a long wait!
LikeLike
I definitely learned a lesson!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes I am sure, we had to wait for 10-12 hours on the way back to the states and it was so tiring!
LikeLike
That would be even worse because the entire journey is so long.
LikeLike
Dogs can bring so much joy in an airport, although I imagine it’s stressful for them when they get on the plane. I used to take Dane with me to the airport when I’d pick up Cal from a trip and people always wanted to pet him which, of course, he loved. Going to the airport was a favorite for him, as was going through the bank drive thru where the girls would always give him treats.
Although I have to say, I’ve noticed a big uptick in dogs dressed as service dogs lately that don’t look like real service dogs. Two different women I talked with said they got the service dog designation for reasons that sounded pretty flimsy to me, not so much because the dog was trained and used for some kind of real service but more because they felt they had a “right” to take their dog with them wherever they went and a service designation meant that they couldn’t be questioned or refused. They were quite gleeful about it. I admit it bothers me. There are people with serious disabilities who truly need the help their dogs provide. I hope they don’t wind up being put at a disadvantage because others are abusing the system. It’s kind of a pet peeve for me. (Pun intended.) 🙂
LikeLike
Oh boy, Dia, I share that pet peeve. I know someone whom I suspect is doing the very thing you describe. I think they claim “emotional comfort” or some such flimsy sounding reason. I try not to think about it because until you’ve walked in another’s shoes, you don’t know their issues….but….
LikeLike
I know! We had a neighbor a while back who claimed service dog status for their out of control (read ignored, untrained, and destroying the backyard) dog for their autistic son, so the landlord couldn’t intervene. Fortunately, they found their own house to buy shortly afterwards and moved.
Sigh. Can you tell I’m still fighting a cynical impulse on that one? As you say…until we’ve walked in another’s shoes. I should strive for a little more compassion.The struggles she faced each day with her son were absolutely real and deserving of compassion so perhaps it’s time I stopped suckling this little piglet-grudge at my teat and let it go? 🙂
LikeLike