Editor's Note

 

I have been traveling a lot lately. I took my “spring break” this year to Spain. Over the course of 10 wine and cheese-filled days, I toured the Spanish capital of Madrid, the sub-Saharan island of Gran Canaria near the Moroccan coast, and the much ballyhooed Catalonian city of Barcelona. My pets stayed home, of course, nestled safely in all their usual hideouts while my next-door neighbor, “Uncle Eric,” looked after them. But they were never very far from my mind because I found that to my surprise, pets are everywhere in Spain.

In Madrid, I fell into conversation with a friend about the importance of companion animals in the lives of the locals. “Oh, yes pets are very important here,” he said. “You see, people in Madrid are very lonely and they depend on their pets for companionship.” Hmm, I thought. Cats and dogs as substitutes for children or a girlfriend/boyfriend; it does sound familiar.

Sure enough, by hanging around outside during siesta, I saw plenty of curious canines tugging at their leashes as they walked the impossibly narrow streets with guardians in tow. While I didn’t see many cats, I counted this as a plus, figuring that they were probably tucked safely away inside apartments instead of roaming in unmanaged groups like they do in many other foreign countries.

I also discovered during my travels that the city council in Barcelona has condemned bullfighting, that locals can join the Spanish Vegan Society, and that there are many humane organizations like the BrightEyes Society or Alternatives for the Liberation of Animals all over the country. It is encouraging to discover that organizations like these exist throughout the world and it inspired us here at Tails to look closer at how foreign
countries are creating innovative programs to combat pet overpopulation. You can find the story in this issue.

Of course, this is our annual spring travel guide and the focus is on traveling with your pets, which is why I also spent a crisp winter weekend this February exploring San Francisco and uncovering the very best of this petfriendly city. As the first major metropolis in the United States to embrace a no-kill policy for homeless cats and dogs, visitors will find plenty to love in the City by the Bay. Under heavy blankets of fog, I unearthed giant patches of off-leash green space, super trendy dog barkeries, and
plenty of panting pups getting their coats washed with herbal and organic soaps at the local groomer.

We do realize that you also think about your pets even if you aren’t able to travel with them (especially true for those of us keeping cats, reptiles, birds, rabbits, etc.). That is why we have created our first road trip across the United States earmarking all the best attractions for pet lovers. We discovered a kitchen in Arizona where you can learn to cook homemade meals for your pooch; Hemingway’s home in Key West, where the living descendents of his feline friend still live; and much more. We hope it inspires an amazing summer trip for you.

However, we did stray from the traveler’s path just a bit to pay homage to one of the greatest pastimes in America, baseball. We were able to spend a few minutes with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who took a break from spring training to tell us about his ARF Foundation and why animals are an integral part of his life. Enjoy the interview and our spring baseball extravaganza.

I love to travel, but the best part of any journey is its end.  People are shocked to hear me say this, but it’s true. Coming home to my friends, my city, and, of course, my pets and looking back on a week or weekend of memories I’ll savor for a lifetime is the best part. Besides, the first thing I do when I come home from a trip is start planning the next one! Here’s hoping the pets in your life inspire your next journey.

Wishing you happy and safe travels,

 

Jason@StLouieTails.com