Fly or drive?

[Corpus_Mommy]

Just found out the other day I'm moving to California. I'll be flying with my daughter but my fiance will be driving from TX to CA. I know Cooper will do fine in the car but my question is about my 16 yr old wire hair terrier mix (Charley). Do you think she is too old to fly? She's had some minor health scares and going blind and deaf but still has a lot of life to her. Just wondering what you all think would be less tramatizing. She's never been on a long trip or a plane. I think she is too big to keep on my lap on the plane (17lbs) right? Plus if I was allowed to keep her on my lap I would have to keep her muzzled the whole time because she snaps at strangers if they pet her without sniffing them first. (its because she can't see them) I also have my 10 yr old poodle mix but she will be fine driving or flying.
Any advice is appreciated. Oh also, has anyone ever used anything like benedryl for a long trip for the dogs or gotten something from the vet to keep them calm? Thanks so much in advance!

[bill]

Here is a link to Delta for transporting animals, I believe they are very strict when it come to the temperature that the flight will see. I would think driving would be the best option. http://www.delta.com/planning_reservati ... /index.jsp

[BayouBCR]

Personally, since someone's already driving anyway, I'd probably have her ride along with your fiancee. If it was Cooper, I wouldn't worry about the flying. But she's 16 and has health problems, so you don't really want her stressing out by herself.

When you fly pets in-cabin with you, they're not on your lap. They have to stay in a soft sided kennel under the seat in front of you. It's for this exact reason - the airlines don't want animals biting the other passengers. The weight isn't usually the cut-off for flying in-cabin. It's if the animal fits in a soft sided kennel that will fit under the seat. For those dimensions, you have to talk to the individual airline, because they're all different. If you CAN fly her in-cabin, I'd say go for it. Shorter trip for her and she's doing it with you.

[Wendy M]

Will Cooper be doing this trip right after his FHO surgery?

-Wendy M.