Pet Lovers From Here and There and Everywhere
posted on:
Sep '08
9
8:40pm
Today, I spent the bulk of my day in airports, specifically Phoenix, Denver and Minnesota. Some observations: more airports are filling with chain restaurants and shops. I find myself double checking the name of the airport to make sure I am where I should be because everything is becoming identical. Airlines are offering less and charging more - and going cash-less. The flight attendants on Frontier today happily swiped my credit card for my $3 purchase of a bag of dried fruit and nuts. Good luck finding pillows or blankets or that coveted empty middle seat so you on the aisle and that traveler seated by the window can have more elbow room. Freebies like water and soda are available - but now with a price.
During this tour so far, I tallied (one has a lot of time when on back-to-back flights), and realized that I’ve stayed at 10 different hotels, boarded eight planes, hailed a dozen NYC cabs, wrestled with my luggage on two Amtrak train trips and surprisingly, my only two car rentals have both been for red Mustangs. I’ve been back and forth through the country’s time zones so much that I feel like a carrier pigeon on a mission.
Some bright spots: Brenda, the clerk at the Hertz counter at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport, who gushed about her newly adopted Shih Tzu named Tazz. Matt, the bartender at the upscale FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar in the heart of Minneapolis, who tolerates the “stereo” barking seranades by his two itty-bitty mixed doggies. Joshua, a waiter at Tempe Mission Palms in Phoenix, who declared proudly of his love and affection for his four kittens who make his life full of amusement and delight. Once people discover that I champion pets with my books, my radio show and my speaking engagements, they feel at ease enough to share their favorite pet tales.
Of all the professions out there, I feel doggone lucky that I am a pet expert. Do other professions pay more? You bet. Do other careers require less hours? Yep. Offer paid vacations? You bet. I’m happy to let the fur fly - in a fun way. Never underestimate the power of dogs, cats and other pets. I certainly don’t.
Now, back to the Happy Pets, Happy You book tour. Stay tuned!
During this tour so far, I tallied (one has a lot of time when on back-to-back flights), and realized that I’ve stayed at 10 different hotels, boarded eight planes, hailed a dozen NYC cabs, wrestled with my luggage on two Amtrak train trips and surprisingly, my only two car rentals have both been for red Mustangs. I’ve been back and forth through the country’s time zones so much that I feel like a carrier pigeon on a mission.
Some bright spots: Brenda, the clerk at the Hertz counter at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport, who gushed about her newly adopted Shih Tzu named Tazz. Matt, the bartender at the upscale FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar in the heart of Minneapolis, who tolerates the “stereo” barking seranades by his two itty-bitty mixed doggies. Joshua, a waiter at Tempe Mission Palms in Phoenix, who declared proudly of his love and affection for his four kittens who make his life full of amusement and delight. Once people discover that I champion pets with my books, my radio show and my speaking engagements, they feel at ease enough to share their favorite pet tales.
Of all the professions out there, I feel doggone lucky that I am a pet expert. Do other professions pay more? You bet. Do other careers require less hours? Yep. Offer paid vacations? You bet. I’m happy to let the fur fly - in a fun way. Never underestimate the power of dogs, cats and other pets. I certainly don’t.
Now, back to the Happy Pets, Happy You book tour. Stay tuned!
