Tag: downeaster

Get Ready for Amtrak’s “All Aboard” for Dogs & Cats

It was just a couple of weeks ago when we asked you to "Lend Your Support to Allowing Dogs & Cats on Amtrak." The good news is that the bill we asked you to support has passed. While the bureaucrats slowly set up the program, you can get your companion animals ready to be great passengers.

Train on Local Trains

Our Poppy is a subway pro. We take her on the MBTA often enough to keep her acclimatized to the noise, crowded conditions, and movement of the trains. But, as someone who has ridden trains along the Northeast corridor, I know that the motion of those trains is not exactly the same as subway sways.

Commuter rail photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism

Under MBTA pet guidelines, your dog or cat is already welcome aboard the Commuter Rail. Pick a destination where you and your dog can have some fun and plan a day trip this spring.

How about Salem as a first trip? It's a fairly short, half hour ride with lots to do when you get there. (In summer, there is also a ferry to Salem which can be a great way to get a dog ready for boat rides.)

If that works out, you could try Newburyport for the next destination – it takes a little more than an hour to reach and should be a good test.

It would be a good idea for us to get Poppy used to riding in her Sherpa Pet Carrier because we usually travel off-peak on the subway and can hold her in a lap or in our arms.

CapeFLYER Is Pet Friendly

If a trip to Cape Cod is more to your liking, you and your dog or cat can ride the CapeFLYER to one of its stops, once the train resumes for the summer season. Pets ride free aboard this popular service. And, I have to wonder if the pet option is one of the reasons it was an immediate success.

Acela photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism

New York, Portland, and Philadelphia Here We Come!

Once we are allowed to take Poppy with us, we'll be on board for three of our favorite car-free destinations: New York City, Philadelphia, and Portland, Maine.

Downeaster photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism

The Downeaster to Portland should be one of the first test routes considering how dog-friendly that city happens to be. And, we look forward to spending more time in New York and Philadelphia.

Where will you go by train with your favorite companion animal?

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto for the traveling dog image. Trains are courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism used under this creative commons license.

March 8, 2015
Dogs on Public Transit, Boston: 101

As our way of welcoming new residents to Boston, we'll be adding to and updating our Boston:101 category. Today, we'll share some of the ways we get around with a dog since we don't own a car. You'll find lots of links in this Friday Link post.

Here's our girl, Poppy, waiting inside an MBTA subway station. Dogs can ride the T. Over at www.mbta.com you'll find the details.

"Service animals are allowed on the T at all times. During off-peak hours, non-service dogs are allowed at the discretion of T vehicle operators. Dogs must be properly leashed and are not allowed to annoy riders or take up a seat. For safety and convenience during rush hours, small domestic animals must be carried in lap-sized containers and out of the way of exits."

We don't give much thought to the sights and sounds of a subway ride but as a new experience for a dog, it can be frightening. We started Poppy out with a quick ride from Copley to Hynes and now with a few trips under her paws, she seems ready to go to the ends of the lines.

These rules apply to all the MBTA services: subway, streetcar, bus, commuter rail, and ferry.

On the Water

Speaking of ferries, you can also take your dog on Boston Harbor Cruises for a trip around the harbor, or to Winthrop, Hingham, Charlestown, Salem, or Provincetown. (Some routes are seasonal)

City Water Taxi will be happy to zip you across the harbor with your dog.

The ferries that take you out to the Boston Harbor Islands will be running on their fall schedule until Columbus Day, October 8th this year. Here's what they say about dogs.

" Pets are restricted in the park to foster visitor safety and resource protection. Dogs are welcomed at Deer and Nut Islands, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial (peninsulas accessible by car only). Day visitors may bring dogs to Bumpkin and Grape Islands, though not in camping areas. No pets are allowed on other islands in the park. Service dogs are permitted on all islands."

Taxis

We alert the taxi dispather that we have a small dog with us when we call for a cab. That way we can avoid drivers who don't want to take us. So far, we have not had a problem calling for a taxi with our dog. We do bring a pad to put on the seat so that the next passenger doesn't end up with dog hair on their clothing. And, we like to carry Poppy in her Sherpa Bag Pet Carrier when we're in a car. We use the center seat belt to secure the bag in case of an accident.

Amtrak & Intercity Buses: where you are not welcome!

Happy Update 2015: Some pet are now welcome on Amtrak: Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats

While this national railroad service seems to need all the passengers and support it can get, it continues to discriminate against citizens who travel with their dogs. Only specific service animals are allowed and even that is restricted.

With nearby, dog-friendly Portland, Maine connected to Boston by the Downeaster, we'd take the train often if our dog could come with us.

We have not been able to find a bus service to New York that allows us to ride with a dog. If you know of one, please share.

Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your fall shopping list. Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

MBTA wants to kill off Red/Blue connector idea once and for all

It's like the entire country and Canada and some of their friends rode the T

Woman claims GPS told her to drive on Beacon Street trolley tracks

PTSD: VA limits funding for service dogs

September 21, 2012
Dogs on Public Transit, Boston: 101

As our way of welcoming new residents to Boston, we'll be adding to and updating our Boston:101 category. Today, we'll share some of the ways we get around with a dog since we don't own a car. You'll find lots of links in this Friday Link post.

Here's our girl, Poppy, waiting inside an MBTA subway station. Dogs can ride the T. Over at www.mbta.com you'll find the details.

"Service animals are allowed on the T at all times. During off-peak hours, non-service dogs are allowed at the discretion of T vehicle operators. Dogs must be properly leashed and are not allowed to annoy riders or take up a seat. For safety and convenience during rush hours, small domestic animals must be carried in lap-sized containers and out of the way of exits."

We don't give much thought to the sights and sounds of a subway ride but as a new experience for a dog, it can be frightening. We started Poppy out with a quick ride from Copley to Hynes and now with a few trips under her paws, she seems ready to go to the ends of the lines.

These rules apply to all the MBTA services: subway, streetcar, bus, commuter rail, and ferry.

On the Water

Speaking of ferries, you can also take your dog on Boston Harbor Cruises for a trip around the harbor, or to Winthrop, Hingham, Charlestown, Salem, or Provincetown. (Some routes are seasonal)

City Water Taxi will be happy to zip you across the harbor with your dog.

The ferries that take you out to the Boston Harbor Islands will be running on their fall schedule until Columbus Day, October 8th this year. Here's what they say about dogs.

" Pets are restricted in the park to foster visitor safety and resource protection. Dogs are welcomed at Deer and Nut Islands, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial (peninsulas accessible by car only). Day visitors may bring dogs to Bumpkin and Grape Islands, though not in camping areas. No pets are allowed on other islands in the park. Service dogs are permitted on all islands."

Taxis

We alert the taxi dispather that we have a small dog with us when we call for a cab. That way we can avoid drivers who don't want to take us. So far, we have not had a problem calling for a taxi with our dog. We do bring a pad to put on the seat so that the next passenger doesn't end up with dog hair on their clothing. And, we like to carry Poppy in her Sherpa Bag Pet Carrier when we're in a car. We use the center seat belt to secure the bag in case of an accident.

Amtrak & Intercity Buses: where you are not welcome!

Happy Update 2015: Some pet are now welcome on Amtrak: Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats

While this national railroad service seems to need all the passengers and support it can get, it continues to discriminate against citizens who travel with their dogs. Only specific service animals are allowed and even that is restricted.

With nearby, dog-friendly Portland, Maine connected to Boston by the Downeaster, we'd take the train often if our dog could come with us.

We have not been able to find a bus service to New York that allows us to ride with a dog. If you know of one, please share.

Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your fall shopping list. Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

MBTA wants to kill off Red/Blue connector idea once and for all

It's like the entire country and Canada and some of their friends rode the T

Woman claims GPS told her to drive on Beacon Street trolley tracks

PTSD: VA limits funding for service dogs

September 21, 2012
Dogs on Public Transit, Boston: 101

As our way of welcoming new residents to Boston, we'll be adding to and updating our Boston:101 category. Today, we'll share some of the ways we get around with a dog since we don't own a car. You'll find lots of links in this Friday Link post.

Here's our girl, Poppy, waiting inside an MBTA subway station. Dogs can ride the T. Over at www.mbta.com you'll find the details.

"Service animals are allowed on the T at all times. During off-peak hours, non-service dogs are allowed at the discretion of T vehicle operators. Dogs must be properly leashed and are not allowed to annoy riders or take up a seat. For safety and convenience during rush hours, small domestic animals must be carried in lap-sized containers and out of the way of exits."

We don't give much thought to the sights and sounds of a subway ride but as a new experience for a dog, it can be frightening. We started Poppy out with a quick ride from Copley to Hynes and now with a few trips under her paws, she seems ready to go to the ends of the lines.

These rules apply to all the MBTA services: subway, streetcar, bus, commuter rail, and ferry.

On the Water

Speaking of ferries, you can also take your dog on Boston Harbor Cruises for a trip around the harbor, or to Winthrop, Hingham, Charlestown, Salem, or Provincetown. (Some routes are seasonal)

City Water Taxi will be happy to zip you across the harbor with your dog.

The ferries that take you out to the Boston Harbor Islands will be running on their fall schedule until Columbus Day, October 8th this year. Here's what they say about dogs.

" Pets are restricted in the park to foster visitor safety and resource protection. Dogs are welcomed at Deer and Nut Islands, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial (peninsulas accessible by car only). Day visitors may bring dogs to Bumpkin and Grape Islands, though not in camping areas. No pets are allowed on other islands in the park. Service dogs are permitted on all islands."

Taxis

We alert the taxi dispather that we have a small dog with us when we call for a cab. That way we can avoid drivers who don't want to take us. So far, we have not had a problem calling for a taxi with our dog. We do bring a pad to put on the seat so that the next passenger doesn't end up with dog hair on their clothing. And, we like to carry Poppy in her Sherpa Bag Pet Carrier when we're in a car. We use the center seat belt to secure the bag in case of an accident.

Amtrak & Intercity Buses: where you are not welcome!

Happy Update 2015: Some pet are now welcome on Amtrak: Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats

While this national railroad service seems to need all the passengers and support it can get, it continues to discriminate against citizens who travel with their dogs. Only specific service animals are allowed and even that is restricted.

With nearby, dog-friendly Portland, Maine connected to Boston by the Downeaster, we'd take the train often if our dog could come with us.

We have not been able to find a bus service to New York that allows us to ride with a dog. If you know of one, please share.

Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your fall shopping list. Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

MBTA wants to kill off Red/Blue connector idea once and for all

It's like the entire country and Canada and some of their friends rode the T

Woman claims GPS told her to drive on Beacon Street trolley tracks

PTSD: VA limits funding for service dogs

September 21, 2012