Trouble in the Air
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Hilarious, Heroic, Human Dog
By Tina Rafowitz

If you’re uncomfortable around my dog, I’m happy to lock you in the other room when you come over.
~Author Unknown

The convulsive quaking begins in the taxi, and by the time my husband Ivan, my kids and I are in the terminal, it feels like a high-speed vibrator is in Gibson’s doggy travel bag. We are hoping this is simply a case of Gibson being a first-time traveler. We gave him the puppy Xanax an hour before boarding the plane. (It turns out I could use one, too.) We feel well-prepared for his first flight to Florida. We have his travel health certificate, his stylish black-and-white houndstooth backpack, and his travel meds.

Just before takeoff, I place Gibson under the seat in front of me for what I think will be the duration of the three-plus-hour flight to Miami.

During takeoff, his shaking, heavy panting and buggy eyes are just the tip of the iceberg. Once we’re airborne, Gibson begins chewing frantically at the zipper of his bag. Cujo has arrived! “Gibson, it’s okay,” we keep saying, but he is having none of our assurances. Soon, his gums are bloody from chewing, and he’s making definite headway on tearing through the bag. (Keep reading)