Usually when we visit my aunt we drive. If the weather and traffic are good, it can be done in about three hours, but in any case it’s tiring for me, the only driver.
So we decided to try the train today. Not just for eco reasons! I wasn’t keen to do the drive on my own this morning – it’s pretty tiring, and I needed to conserve my energy.
So Jake and I got up at the usual time and walked to the park, but then kept walking until we reached the train station. There were some excellent pickings for passing pooches – bits of kebab and chips dropped by people on their way home last night.
Jake was fine in the station, though he did put his paws on the counter of the kiosk (tea! cakes!). But that was his only faux pas in the whole journey.
I’d carefully chosen to travel when I knew it would be quiet. Good old Jake helped me with my tea and settled down next to me on a towel. Even the Guard made indulgent noises. (And yes, I did pay for his seat.)
After an hour or so we transferred onto the Metro – another first for Jake, though I think the apple I was eating made a good distraction.
And with Jake skipping happily into my aunt’s house at 10.20, that was 3 hours and 15 mins door to door! The same amount of travelling time, about the same price as the petrol I would have used, and much more relaxing. If the journey home goes similarly well, we’ll go by train again.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Was Jake on the seat next to you, on a towel? In our state, dogs can travel on the trains, but I don't think they would be allowed on a seat. I go to the mountains regularly, and I'd like to go sometimes by public transport, but dogs aren't allowed on buses, so I have to go by car.Are dogs allowed on buses over there?
Yup, Jake was on the seat next to me on a towel. He was too restless and wouldn't settle in the aisle or on the floor by my seat, and kept getting in the way of other passengers and the refreshment trolley. The train company in question has (I would argue) ambiguous wording on its website: "Your pet can usually travel with you free of charge, provided it does not occupy a seat." So I bought an extra ticket for the seat next to me. The Guard on the outward journey didn't bat an eyelid. The Guard on the return journey suggested I bought a child's ticket in future. He did say that in theory dogs weren't suppoed to be on the seat, but as I'd paid, and there was a towel protecting the seat – & Jake was visibly Being Good – he allowed it. NB Our bit of the line is always pretty quiet. I wouldn't have let Jake on the seat if humans needed a seat. Dogs are allowed on buses in cities – I think explicitly NOT on the seats. I couldn't function without using Lothian buses to fast forward Jake to certain walks. We usually go to the back of the top deck. I don't know about longer haul coaches for journeys between cities, however, which might be more akin to the buses you would take to the mountains? I was pleasantly surprised that Jake was allowed on the Newcastle Metro (underground/subway/light rail) system. I'm not sure that dogs can travel on the Glasgow or London undergrounds. I always find that dogs are a great talking point on public transport (as in the rest of life, really) – one of the things I love about having a dog.
I think Britain is much more dog-friendly than Australia!
Where I live, dogs aren't allowed on intercity trains (unless maybe in the baggage comparment?) or city buses. How wonderful to see Mr. Good Manners Jake enjoying a comfortable ride on the seat next to you. That's precisely how it should be.
How kind of the guard to suggest a child's ticket. Where I live we have to buy adult ticket regardless of the size of the pet (imagine a goldfish…). If you want to see a cute photo of my Miniature Bullterrier pup visit: http://miniaturebullterrierpuppiesblog.com/
That looks like fun!!! Jake was so good! I took a short bus trip (school bus) with Mum once when the canoe company was transporting us up the river. My first time and I did great too