Talk of the Town: No pets left behind...if they can help it!

Pricey pet fares on conventional airlines are forcing some folks to leave their pets back home. For others whose animals must travel, there is an airline devoted to carrying pets through the skies in style.

Pet Airways was created to provide safe and comfortable air travel for animals. Pets always travel in the main cabin, not as cargo. Touted as the first airline designed specifically for pets, the company was founded in 2005 by husband and wife team, Dan Wiesel and Alysa Binder who got the idea when planning a trip with their Jack Russell terrier, Zoe. “Most pets travelling by air are transported in the cargo hold and are handled as baggage. The experience is frightening to the pets, and can cause severe emotional and physical harm, even death. This is not what most pet owners want to subject their pets to, but they have had no other choice, until now.” Wiesel says.

“We are pet owners ourselves, so we totally understand the market, and that safety and comfort is the main concern,” Binder adds.

The airline launched its first weekly flight on July 14, and serves five U.S. cities — New York City, Baltimore/Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. One-way fees start at about $150. Flights can be booked online and “pawsengers” are checked in to a pet lounge at each airport at which the airline operates. Pet Airways staff give all pets pre-boarding walks and potty breaks. All protocols and pet handling procedures are conducted under the guidance of veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber, of PBS’s Lassie’s Pet Vet fame.

During the flight, the pets will be under the care and monitor of trained attendants with a check at least every 15 minutes for the flight’s duration. Flights with an overnight segment allow pets to bunk for the night on the ground before finishing the trip a the following day. A climate control system in the cabin circulates pressurized air to ensure the comfort of pets. Owners can also track their pets via the Web site. The aircraft currently used is a 19-seat, two-engine Beech 1900, which has its seats in the main cabin removed to make room for the pet carriers. The company plans to extend services to other major cities including Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver in 2010 and to expand its fleet to 20 planes, including Falcon 20, Convair 580 and Boeing 727 by the end of 2009.

The Marine Corps League Green Valley Detachment #1126 are doing what they do best—helping others.

Member Guy Gabbard said the group recently participated in the Chef-for-a-Day program at the Ronald McDonald House in Tucson where members served dinner to families of children who are receiving treatment for serious illnesses or trauma.

Ronald McDonald House is a temporary home-away-from-home where the families of children in treatment can reside during the time their child is hospitalized. Ronald McDonald House provides a place where parents are able to share their worries and concerns with other parents.

The Chef-for-a-Day program allows different organizations and individuals to prepare breakfast or dinner for those folks staying at Ronald McDonald House.

The Green Valley Marines were proud to undertake this project, one of many in which they participate in and around the Green Valley area. They also lend a helping hand to the Dispose-a-Med program with the local fire stations; the household hazardous waste collection at Valley Presbyterian Church and trash pick-up along parts of Interstate 19.

They put flags up along La Canada Drive each year to remember those who perished on 9/11 and offer color guard services to any organization needing it.

Future projects for the Green Valley Marines include Toys for Tots, and support for The Wounded Warriors, Fisher House, Tucson Area Marine Moms, Arizona Paralyzed Veterans Association, Marines Helping Marines, the Wounded Marines Career Fund and both the Green Valley and Amado Food Banks.

Any active, retired or former Marines or Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsmen wanting to join the detachment or those wanting to join the detachment auxiliary should call: Constance O’Brien, 520-625-1353. To participate in the Ronald McDonald Chef-for-a-Day program, call 520-326-0060.

While we are on the subject of flying, here is a list of flight attendant’s pet peeves with the two-legged travelers of the human kind:

Bring your pet on the plane and then act like an animal.

Shove your bag into the first bin you see and then walk to your seat in the back of the plane.

Think that because you’re on an airplane you’re off-duty as a parent.

Drag on an oversize bag that’s too heavy for you to lift by yourself.

Gripe that you haven’t been seated in a roomy exit-row seat.

Act like you don’t know the meaning of the words “under the seat in front of you.”

Whine about the high price of flying.

Reasons that pets are easier than people on a flight, according to a flight attendant:

Pets don’t ask for extra peanuts.

Pets don’t care where they’re seated.

Pets don’t continuously paw at the call button.

— Regina Ford/Green Valley News

rford@gvnews.com | 5479740