If you're considering traveling to Texas with your pet, websites worth consulting include www.petswelcome.com, www.pettravel.com, and www.travelpets.com. Note that all Motel 6 motels accept pets. Throughout this book, we've noted the lodgings that have an explicit policy of accepting pets. Some properties require you to pay a fee or damage deposit in advance, and most insist they be notified at check-in that you have a pet.
Be aware, however, that national parks and monuments and other federal lands administered by the National Park Service are not pet-friendly. Dogs are generally prohibited on hiking trails, must always be leashed, and in some cases cannot be taken more than 100 feet from established roads. On the other hand, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas, as well as many state parks, are pro-pet, allowing dogs on trails and just about everywhere except inside buildings. State parks require that dogs be leashed; regulations in national forests and BLM lands are generally looser.
Just as people need extra water in the desert, so do pets. We especially like those clever little no-spill pet water bowls available in pet stores (or online at www.vetvax.com). Also keep in mind that many trails are rough, and jagged rocks can cut the pads on your dog's feet. One final note: Never leave a dog or cat inside a closed car parked in the sun, which can literally be a killer in Texas. The car heats up more quickly than you'd think -- so don't do it, even for a minute.
