Quote Originally Posted by Dogmama View Post
I'm going to plead, whine, cry and generally beg to bring Junior on the flight inside of the cabin.
Get him one of these to wear -- extra extra small -- and he'll look convincingly like an assistance dog in training.

http://www.sitstay.com/store/clothing/service1.shtml

My Samoyed's a certified therapy dog. For liability reasons she wears her organization cape only on official visits. Sometimes when we're going to a dog-friendly retail store I've put her non-official cape on because it puts at ease people who may be afraid of dogs. It is not my intent, but it also keeps a lot of people from approaching her because they assume she's an assistance dog. I actually like adults and children to approach Gidget because it's good practice for her therapy work.

In a perversion of the Americans with Disabilities Act, if a psychiatrist will affirm that you need your pet with you at all times for your mental health, then airlines have felt obliged to oblige by letting the animal ride in the cabin.

I personally couldn't in good conscience play the ADA card, but many have.

The Atlanta-to-Phoenix direct flight sounds like a very good plan. With a crate for the pup to ride in, I don't think a long car ride would be a problem for the pup. In fact, the quality time on your lap and stops at public places like rest areas, restaurants and hotels would be excellent socialization opportunities. Socializing with people, that is. Not having had all its shots, the pup would be dangerously young to mix with other dogs.

High-quality breeders fly beloved and valuable dogs every day. 99% of the time there is no problem. On that note, it's probably safer than driving.