Last January 11 to 13, Marc and I joined a few Pinoy travel bloggers on a trip to Boracay. Marc and I have long wanted to go there for a vacation, but our work schedules just seemed to never allow us to. Besides, we didn’t want to spend for a trip we really won’t enjoy (it’s not very relaxing when you’re thinking about work even if you’re at the beach). But luckily, we were able to get spots on the Boracay trip sponsored by Microtel Inns & Suites, in partnership with South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) and Zuzuni Boutique Hotel and Restaurant.

We had fun, but it wouldn’t have been as much as fun if we were able to bring Shantee along.

Shantee left behind

That’s actually one of the downsides of going on luxury vacations—you just can’t bring your furry friend along. It’s possible, but it isn’t easy.

I asked the representative from SEAIR how it would go about should somebody want to bring a dog. SEAIR targets luxury travelers, so it’s really not that far out to think that some rich person nuts about his/her dog would like to bring a pooch along. According to her, the first thing you’ll have to consider is the cost. The cost of a dog’s flight is almost as much as the cost of his owner’s. Not really a problem if you got the money right? But here’s another thing to worry about: the quarantine. Your dog needs to have all the necessary documents before he can set paw in Boracay, or any other new place for that matter.

Veterinary quarantine services at Caticlan airport

Then, the plane travel itself. You can’t have your dog with you while on the plane. The poor pooch will be kept in a dog carrier along with the baggages. Now that convinced me not to take my dog along on a plane if I could help it. Although sometimes it’s really necessary (say, the family is moving and plane travel is the only way to go), I don’t think I can still bear leaving my dogs together with my baggage. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve seen a dog needing psychological help after air freight in an episode of a dog TV show on the Animal Planet Channel—I guess I just can’t help but worry.

Since Shantee couldn’t come with us, we left her with my sister, which I think was a good decision. Entrusting a pet to somebody you know and whom the dog knows is probably the best way to go. I think there are pet hotels out there (or grooming salons offering overnight lounging services), but I’m not too sure which offers those services. You can also leave your dog at the vet (I’ve seen a healthy Shih Tzu lounging at Horseshoe Pet Clinic when I brought Shantee in for her shots).