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What is the current roster of animals in Louganis-land?
I have two dogs, a Jack Russell Terrier called “Nipper” (named for the RCA dog) and son, “Dobby Gryff” (names from Harry Potter), and four rats.

Do the dogs have their own luggage?
I have a Sherpa Bag that holds some of their stuff. I’ll pack food, bowls, treats, if it’s winter a sweater or coat, and lots and lots of poop bags.

Your small dogs travel in the cabin, have you ever had a pet fly in baggage hold?
So much more stress for me. I make sure the captain knows they’re on board, and I won’t stay on a plane unless I can see them loaded. One time, from America to Paris Nipper had to [stay in the cargo area]. I was a wreck.

I probably already know your answer to this, but what about sedatives?
NO! They’re very used to traveling, they know their carrier is a safe place. Even in hotels, it’s the most familiar and comfortable place to be, which is required in a lot of hotels anyway, that they be confined.

Any travel nightmares?
I don’t find it too much of a problem. One time with Continental, the right hand didn’t know what the left hand was doing. The carrier was fine, then somebody else said, ”No” it was too small. It was a mess, just ridiculous. We had to be put on a later flight. I had to buy another bag. It wasn’t even an animal bag, it was a gym duffel bag and I had to cut out the mesh so the dog could have some air. It was just absurd, nobody could agree on the rules because it wasn’t standardized.
Every time I’ve flown, let’s say from L.A. to New York, most of the time we’re three-fourths of the way through the trip and the passenger next to me will turn and say, “Do you have a dog in there? Has it been there the whole time?” My dogs travel better than most kids. I actually prefer it when nobody knows because Nipper is afraid of kids. Kids tend to want to peer in or poke fingers in, and she’ll bark and growl – she has a nasty little greeting. I can usually catch it and tell them to give her some room. She’s fine with adults and ignores other dogs.

What pet travel lesson has been hardest to learn?
I see a lot of people making huge mistakes. Maybe the biggest one is getting the bag the night before, throwing them in there for the first time at the airport, and they’re freaked. I always condition my dogs to the carrier well in advance so they know it’s a good thing. Even at 7-8 weeks old they start to get accustomed to being there. They get treats when they’re quiet and ignored when they’re not. I’ll even feed them meals in the carrier with the door open, so they look forward to going in it. Have lots of dry runs so they’re not freaking out. Dry runs in the bag, in the car, hanging out at home, hanging out at someone else’s place. Anything to get them used to being in different environments and to know it’s not a punishment.

Ready for the Barbara Walters question?
What kind of tree would I be?

If you were president of a commercial airline and could make any decisions with no concern for cost, what would you do differently?
I’d have a pet relief station in the terminal so they wouldn’t have to go all the way outside and check back in through security. If you have connecting flights, that can be such a hassle if you want to give them a chance to stretch their legs and relieve themselves, you have to go all the way out to find a place. [I’d also provide] larger space under the seat in front of you. Footrests are getting bigger and more comfortable, at least in first class, but it takes away space underneath.

[Updated: April, 2008]