Pets
A Cute New Addition
Jul 29th
I have always been a huge animal lover to the point that when I was younger, my dream job was to work in the rainforest saving wildlife. So when I heard that my friend got a new canine addition to her family, I couldn’t wait to meet the pup.
Her name is Skye, and she is an Australian Shepherd puppy. She has one bright blue eye and one brown, and a white coat with gray and black spots all over her body. The fur on her forehead is in the shape of a white heart. She is absolutely adorable.
Skye is eight weeks old and getting into all types of puppy trouble. We took her outside to play, and Skye decided to help thin out the garden by eating everything in sight. We quickly pulled her away from the mess and put her in the mini dog pool. It started out just fine; she was having fun drinking the water, but then she noticed the cartoon figures adorning the bottom of the pool. Skye started scratching at them and water began flying everywhere. Of course, we were soaked.
We decided that was enough fun for Skye for one day and headed back inside. She immediately crashed in the middle of the hallway and fell asleep. She looked so cute, we couldn’t stay mad at her for drenching us.
Puppies are fun and mischievous, but they don’t stay little for long. It’s amazing how much they grow within the first few months. Skye is only about eight pounds now, but is expected to grow another 40 pounds. I can’t wait to see what new kind of trouble she gets into this week!
– Amanda Smith, advertising and editorial coordinator
Barks and Meows in the Sky
Jul 15th
Tuesday was the first day of actual flights for a new airline, Pet Airways. Pet Airways started weekly flights for pets to five destinations across the country.
Pet Airways is offering flights to and from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), Republic Airport (FRG) (serving New York City), Rocky Mountain Airport (near Denver) and Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR) (near Los Angeles). Dogs and cats can fly in the cabin as long as they are in carriers; however, owners will have to fly separately, as the only people on board will be the crew and some pet attendants. There is no limit on the pet size, and one-way fares start at $149. The initial offering of flights has sold out, and there is a short waiting list for some cities.
I am sure studies were done, but I could not find out the reasoning behind selecting these specific airports. I guess New York, Chicago and Los Angeles were chosen because of their population. I wonder if Denver was chosen as a sort of midway point between Chicago and Los Angeles.
I also wonder if this is a huge deal for pet owners. Some airlines already allow small pets in small carriers to travel in the cabin as long as they fit under the seat. Pets are also allowed to ride in the cargo hold areas.
As I said, I am sure market research was done (at least I would hope so), but I am extremely interested to see how Pet Airways does in the upcoming months. Is the timing right? Are there enough choices of destinations? Are people willing to pay the price? Is there enough continual demand?
As a pet owner, would you like your pet to fly in the cabin with you on a different flight? Is this a much more desirable option than simply having your pet fly in the cargo area?
I’ll be keeping my eyes on Pet Airways. I’ll report back here in a few months.
Check out GT‘s eFlyer report on pet travel.
–John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
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My Canine Escapade
Jun 17th
A couple weeks ago, Laurie and I had a wonderful evening in Rosemont, IL (a neighbor of Chicago to the near west). The evening started with a great meal, continued with a lively show and ended with a canine caper.
We started the evening with a meal at Rosewood, one of the premier O’Hare-area steakhouses. Laurie had filet, I had mahi mahi, and we added a few side dishes. The food was awesome but proved to be so plentiful, we needed to take a doggy bag (which really would become a true doggy bag, but more on that later).
After dinner, we went to see 1964 The Tribute at the Rosemont Theatre. This tribute band has been recreating the experience of early Beatles‘ shows since 1982. The band strives for authenticity and does a great job. The subtle mannerisms were uncanny. Mark Benson (as John Lennon) did an exceptional job leading the show and the band. Benson imitated Lennon’s quick wit throughout.
As we were driving home, we planned on having some snacks, wine and Coca-Cola by a small fire in the backyard. It was a nice night and that would be a perfect end to the evening. Unfortunately (and fortunately), plans got derailed.
As we were close to home, Laurie spotted a small dog bounding down the busy street. I know Laurie well enough to know our backyard plans would be delayed. I spun the car around as quickly as possible and Laurie jumped out, trying to befriend the pooch. She caught up to the dog at a gas station. As I pulled into the station, Laurie called for the leftovers. The schnauzer seemed to enjoy the food as much as we had hours earlier. I read Butch’s tag and Laurie called his owner. We bought a few packs of beef jerky at the station and (with a blanket from my car) had ourselves a little picnic right there in the gas station — at one of the busiest intersections on the north side of Chicago. That had to be quite a sight. The owner quickly showed up, and Butch was safely on his way home. I have to say Butch seemed happier with us.
I was perfectly happy with a perfectly enjoyable evening before we saw the dog. After Butch, I was somehow even happier.
–John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
Summer in the City
Apr 28th
It’s here. No warning, no heads up. The heat has arrived in New York City. It’s really remarkable — it’s as if everyone has forgotten that, just a few days ago, they were donning turtlenecks and winter coats. Now, it’s bikinis in Central Park and no signs of spring — just summer.
One reason I like living in the Northeast is the fact we have four solid seasons, and usually the transition into each season is often the most enjoyable part. However, this year spring has sprung right over us. Summer is not my favorite season in NYC, mostly due to the humidity, but I have to admit it is nice to see the sun and people enjoying the outdoors.
In my travels, I’ve seen many different types of climates. In Southeast Asia, for example, the climate ranges from hot to hotter. Even locals I know in Singapore and Malaysia claim to never get used to the heat. On the extreme opposite, friends in Stockholm always seem shocked when the first snowfall hits. In fact, one year when I was visiting, the subways had technical issues due to the cold during the first snow. It was as if it was the first time they’ve seen cold in the region. Maybe they forgot about their history of long winters!
Bottom line, of the four different seasons, I’ve learned I’m a winter girl through and through. I try to avoid the heat. However, I wouldn’t mind spending some time in the sun if, say, I was in the Maldives or perhaps Bali for a few days. Where would you enjoy finding time in the sun?
-Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher
