We recently read about the tragic death of seven puppies on an American Airlines flight on August 3. The victims were seven of 14 pups being transported by the airline to various locations around the US. The cause of death has been linked to high temperatures in the cargo area where the puppies were being kept.

I went on a 45-day overseas tour to teach people about dogs—but I ended up learning a lot about people…

Dogs have brought so much into my life. One of the great things they have given me is the opportunity to travel to countries I might not otherwise have seen, where I’ve met and—more important—connected with people from different cultures.

This year I spent the longest time ever away from home when we took our stage show to England, Scotland, and Ireland for 45 days. It was filled with the kinds of encounters I will never forget. I hope I left behind some lessons on our relationship with dogs. I know I took away knowledge and love from the people I met. When I was growing up in Mexico, England was just a place on a map, and we really believed everyone there lived in castles and spoke like Shakespeare. It’s true, English people can seem reserved and very quiet compared to Americans, but they are passionate about their dogs. I realized that when the audiences seemed quiet, it was in fact a compliment, because they were listening and learning for their dogs!

I was just 13 years old when I announced that I wanted to be the best dog trainer in the world (that was before I realized that it was the humans who need training), so I am always inspired by meeting children. One little girl really made a lasting impression on me. Twice she had tried to come to our show, but -because she was suffering from cancer and had fallen ill, she couldn’t make it. Finally, she traveled several -hundred miles to see our show in Liverpool, and when I heard she was in the audience, I asked to meet her. She had made a scrapbook for me of pictures of Daddy, and she told me that she actually wanted to meet him more than me! I don’t blame her for that. Without any words, we said so much to each other about pain.

In Glasgow, Scotland, we gave a show on Mother’s Day (they celebrate it earlier than we do). A tough Scotsman who was working at the theater stopped by to tell me that when his mother was sick, Dog Whisperer was her favorite TV show and a highlight of her week. In fact, he told me, it made him happy to know that she had been watching the show when she passed away. He was very matter-of-fact, and his eyes were quite dry—but tears were running down my face!

An 11-year-old boy came up to me at our hotel in Dublin and asked me if I was the Dog Whisperer. I said yes, and I asked if he watched the show. “Not really,” he told me. He had a badge with a live green plant pinned to his shirt, and I asked him what it was. He told me it was a shamrock and asked me if I would like it. As he helped me put it on he said, “Welcome to Ireland!”

Our show in Dublin was magical—which may have been helped by the fact that it was St. Patrick’s Day and I went on stage dressed as a leprechaun and carrying a pint of Guinness!

Everywhere we went we met dogs: running happily off-leash in the park outside our hotel in London, near Princess Diana’s old home; on the cold, windy beaches outside of Newcastle, in northern England; and, of course, on stage. We honored service dogs, helped owners understand the issues they were having with their pets, and, as always, made the case for adoption whenever we could.

And I learned again how much dogs can teach us—and how learning about dogs can help people, too. For example, I met a mom whose teenage son had been battling a serious drug addiction. By employing the calm-assertive energy she had seen on the show, she learned how to deal with her problem and helped her son get clean again.

Perhaps the most moving lesson was in Belfast, the city in Northern Ireland that was torn apart for 30 years by violence that claimed thousands of lives. There is a wall through the city, similar to the one that divides Mexico and the U.S. But this one separates people of the same country and the same race. You are invited to write messages on the wall, so I wrote, “Hope and Forgiveness: Love like a dog and live in the moment.”

When you travel and meet people from different backgrounds, you realize how the language of our love of dogs brings us together—and how we can all learn from the love and forgiveness that dogs -always show to us.

10 secrets to make your summer journey a happy experience

One piece of advice can mean the difference between a nightmare vacation and a fun-filled getaway that both you and your dog will enjoy: Be prepared! Whether you’re flying or driving, staying in hotels or camping, a little bit of time spent on preparation will pay big dividends.

1. A lot of the problems dogs experience when traveling by car—such as motion sickness—are caused by anxiety. Get Rover used to the car with lots of short trips. And make them to fun places like off-leash parks so his association with cars is more than trips to the vet or the groomer.

2. Experiment with feeding your pup before a road trip, as not all dogs react the same way. Some do better not eating for several hours before they get in the car; others fare better when they have a small meal immediately -before the ride.

3. Bring plenty of paper towels or old towels for clean-ups, and water from home so you don’t risk upsetting your friend’s stomach with unfamiliar water.

4. Don’t wait until the last minute to make reservations to fly with your dog. Most airlines have limits on how many animals they’ll carry on a given flight, and some don’t let dogs travel in hotter months. Make sure you understand all the paperwork airlines require—such as a vaccination certificate, proof of age, and a letter from your vet attesting to your pet’s good health.

5. Try to find nonstop flights rather than ones with stopovers. Pets -remain in a plane’s hold when the aircraft is on the ground.

6. Buy a crate—instead of renting one from an airline—and let Fido get used to it well before the trip. And be sure to mark your dog’s name and destination—along with your cell phone number—on it.

7. Your dog will be more comfortable with an empty stomach and bladder while flying.

8. Many hotels are starting to offer dog-friendly accommodations, so before you head out, do your research to find a place where you’ll both be comfortable. And always double-check that a hotel has not changed its pet-friendly status.

9. Bring cleaning supplies and -deodorizing spray—just in case. Accidents do happen!

10. Before you leave home, make sure your pal has a good collar—one that can’t slip off—as well as an extra leash. And your dog’s tag should have your cell phone number on it, so you’re easy to find no matter where you may be.

JET BLUE
has introduced a JetPaws program to make flying with your dog easy. They’ve even introduced a product line with everything from a signature pet carrier to chew bones and leashes and collars.

THE RITZ-CARLTON
in Miami’s South Beach really has your furry friend covered with its Pampered Pooch program. In addition to all the usual little luxuries it provides, the hotel offers sun block and skin-soothing lotion during summer months.

10 tips for a safe and happy trip... for you and your dog

By Tim Allis

With her wildly popular book-and-TV franchises, Semi-Homemade Cooking and Money Saving Meals, Sandra Lee has built an empire on ingenious shortcuts—salmon and avocado salad topped with store-bought croutons; chocolate truffles made with canned frosting.

Some of us who travel during the holiday season may be lucky enough to bring our canine companions along for the ride, but for others, this just isn't possible. Finding a good substitute pack can be tough. Here are a few tips for finding the right kennel, shelter, vet's office, doggie day care, or professional dog-sitters for your pet.

The summer months are a great time to hit the road! Here are some tips for bringing along your canine family members.

1.) Prepare. Don't make it a last minute "pack-and-let's-go." Your dog will sense your anxiety and tension. Be ready days in advance, so that your dog has a normal experience before he has to get in the car or on the plane.

Hi Cesar,

My name is Rhian, and my dog is called Taz. She is a seven-year-old Lab/Collie mix. My partner and I have decided to move to Australia, and I am so worried about her going. Will she make the flight?

Greetings,

June marks the beginning of summer, one of my favorite times of year! As a young boy in Mexico, it meant vacation time. After we moved to the city, we took trips back to the ranch. The whole family got together, which meant 20 to 30 people in one little house! It was so much fun enjoying good food and good company. Since there were no fans in the house, we spent a lot of time in the river to escape the heat.