What Pads Taught Me About Traveling With Pets

Pads staring at me from his carrier while waiting to board the plane.

As our plane descended into JFK’s Terminal 8, I looked down at our Head of Barketing, Pads, resting calmly in her carrier. Another smooth landing, another successful trip. But I couldn’t help but remember a very different arrival at this same terminal six years ago — one that came with a very messy lesson.

That morning started like any other travel day: an early walk before heading to the airport. But Pads managed to sneak a quick “sidewalk snack” before I could stop her. Normally, I never feed her before flying, our routine had always kept things smooth.

But this time, we were rolling the dice without knowing it. The flight itself was uneventful. Pads slept like the perfect travel companion she is. But as we disembarked, she started barking in a way I’d never heard before. Then came the spinning in her carrier — and then…the smell.

Rushing into the ladies’ room, I discovered the inevitable: Pads had completely soiled her carrier. What followed looked like a canine version of abstract art on the bathroom floor. Grateful for the cleaning staff’s nearby supplies, I scrubbed, washed Pads off in the sink, and ditched the carrier.

Thankfully, I had brought her trusty backpack as a backup carrier. I didn't want her wet bottom walking through customs and border patrol—an unwell animal could create serious complications. We cleared passport control with her on my back and immediately ordered a new carrier for the trip home.

Key Takeaways for Pet Travel Parents:

1. Don’t replace gear too soon. Her old carrier’s wheels were sticky and worn, but it held up when I needed it most. A new one would’ve been ruined immediately.

2. Always have a backup. Multipurpose carriers, like the K9 Sport Sack, are lifesavers when the unexpected happens.

3. 
   

Traveling with pets is full of surprises... some sweet, some smelly. But each journey teaches us how to be better prepared, more resilient, and more compassionate toward our furry copilots.

Because at the end of the day, what matters most is arriving together, safe and sound.