LIVE QUICKIE BLOG

Between checking bags, clearing security, getting to your gate on time, and trying to get that seat you want, traveling can be stressful. But what about traveling with a service dog? While service dogs can be of tremendous help to their owners, on top of all the normal stresses of traveling, the owner also has to worry about their service dog. Among the many questions you may ask yourself before traveling with your furry service companion, you may wonder: What if my dog has to use the bathroom after we've gone through security?

While flying is the quickest way to travel, it comes with the stress of long lines, the dreaded airport security pat-down, and sometimes even lengthy delays. Another stressor is wheelchairs frequently get damaged when flying, so this adds a whole new set of things to consider and plan for when heading to the airport. However, as a frequent flyer who loves earning those miles, I've learned much throughout my expeditions. Therefore, I've compiled a list of the top tips and tricks to help your wheelchair arrive unscathed and ready for your next adventure!

As of today, LiveQuickie.com is one year old. Like most one-year-olds, it has been a year of growth and learning. We have learned so much from all of our readers, bloggers, and contributors, and we truly couldn't have made it this far without you. We hope you have found this site to be a resource, an inspiration, and a place to share experiences & celebrate victories. Looking ahead to year two of Live Quickie, we have lots of new ideas and maybe a surprise or two coming your way. In the meantime, here are the blogs and videos that you told us were your favorites.

I am writing this blog on a train from Cork City to Dublin, Ireland. I was scheduled to be on the train yesterday, but Hurricane Ophelia came crashing and blowing into Ireland, the worst hurricane to hit Ireland since 1961. After 24 hours of high force winds and 350,000 homes without power, I have emerged with a new appreciation for tea, a hearth in every room, and the Irish sense of humour and their willingness to plod through, making the best of everything. Irish pragmatism wins the day...every day.

On September 17, my fiancée and I headed from Columbus, Ohio to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to take a cruise on the Allure of the Sea. We flew Southwest Airlines, as they are the most "chair-friendly" airline. Upon landing, we took a bus with a lift from the airport to the pier. Within 15 minutes of arriving at the pier, we were on board Allure. Due to Hurricane Irma, our route changed to the Western Caribbean, but I had never seen the ocean before so it was all the same to me!