This article was going to be written to cover only two elements of traveling with your dog in Tucson, and the surrounding desert areas. Traveling with a canine safely and comfortably through the desert climate has a couple of unique elements to it. But then I thought it might be nice to include some other, more general helpful tips for traveling with Fido.

The first unique element has to do with the fact that dogs love to stick their heads out the window while they're riding in cars. Go figure. They hate it when you gently blow in their face, but they love the pounding winds at 70 miles per hour. If you have a dog with large flews (those loose hanging lip and mouth parts that hold gallons of saliva on dogs like the Saint Bernard and most hounds) you know what a mess this habit can make of one side of your car. The dog faces into the wind with his eyes partially closed and his lips flap violently, spewing his saliva out all over everything. This is usually okay with everyone – and is even kind of cute to most dog owners. In the desert, however, this behavior can dehydrate your dog very quickly. Even a large, well hydrated dog can become dried up in only a few minutes of this activity during the hottest summer months. (Be aware that if you let your dog stick his head out while driving, he becomes susceptible to being struck in the face (or eye) by rocks, bugs, and other road debris.

The second unique element of dog travel in Tucson has to do with leaving your dog in the car. Many articles say that you can do this for short periods of time, but be sure to crack a window, and/or park in the shade. Parking in the Tucson summer shade, when the mercury has climbed to 110°, will not do much good at all. Basically, avoid leaving your dog in the car for more than five minutes. When you do leave him in the car, make sure he has plenty of fresh drinking water, and that at least two windows are open adequately to ensure ventilation. And when you get back to your car, a couple of old towels may come in handy as dogs left like this will tend to drool a lot – on the seats and carpets.

If you have a young dog (or a dog of any age for that matter), and you decide to take it along on a trip, it will take a bit of planning to make sure the dog isn't going to spend the entire trip filling your car with unpleasant smells — and deposits. Unfortunately, some dogs, just as some humans, are prone to motion sickness (getting car sick). If you’ve ever encountered this, then you know that it is not a pleasant experience.

I heartily suggest that you do not let your dog eat for at least a couple of hours before getting into the car. Also make sure Rover has had plenty of time to relieve himself before jumping in the family conveyance. Of course with a puppy, you'll have to plan stops about every 1-2 hours, depending on the dog's age and housebreaking training level.

Here are some other hints for making your trek more enjoyable, and your dog's trip much safer and more comfortable:

• Slowly ease into taking car rides by taking your dog on some short "practice" drives. Consider it training.

• Your dog should be restrained in a seatbelt, crate, or by some other specific means designed for that purpose. In some areas, there are even laws about this.

• Don't allow your dog to ride loose in the bed of a pickup truck. Dogs can be severely injured by jumping out or getting caught by their leashes and then dragged. They are also at high risk if you need to make a sudden stop – or heaven forbid have a wreck.

• Feed your dog a bit less before a trip than you normally would, and avoid fatty table scraps – or anything else you know might upset your particular canine companion's tummy.

• Be sure to take along some of your dog’s favorite toys, as well as any necessary blankets and bedding. Put a leash with this too, so that you can walk him safely at rest areas. Most rest areas have sign posted requiring leashes.

• An ID tag on the dog's collar is an excellent, inexpensive investment, just in case he gets loose.

• To be sure Fido is safe and happy… Never leave your dog inside a car in warm weather (over 72°F). In minutes, a car can heat up like the inside of an oven. Parking in the shade or rolling down the windows does not help much in preventing the dog from suffering heat exhaustion.