Loki loved to go hiking and camping. By the time she was 6, she had been up and down the West Coast and seen everything from deserts to mountains. During the day, she alternated between roaming the trails and riding around on top of her dad's backpack. At night, she shared a tent, and frequently a sleeping bag, with her parents. No one in is quite sure how they started taking Loki hiking and camping. After all, it's not exactly usual to bring your Siamese cat with you when you go hiking in Death Valley or the high country in Oregon.

Although Loki's parents may have been a little ahead of their time, today it is completely common for people to bring their companion animals on trips of all types. If you are planning to travel with your pet, here are some tips to make the trip significantly more enjoyable for both you and your furry or feathered friends.

First and foremost, make sure that the place(s) you are planning to stay accepts animals. The book "Vacationing with Your Pet" is an invaluable resource for identifying pet friendly hotels across the country.

Put identification tags on all your animals - even those remaining at home. If you know the information, put a temporary tag on your dog or cat (the ones you get at the airport to put on your luggage work great) with the phone number and address of the home or hotel where you will be staying your trip.

Ensure that you have plenty of food and water for your pet. The Pet King Travel Bowl and Jr. Pet King Travel Bowl are compact, lightweight, and feature leak-proof lids. If you are just gone for the day, fill the bowls in advance and bring them with you. They are perfect for picnics and hotel room feedings.

Put a copy of the book Pet First Aid in your car or suitcase. This book is approved for use by the American Red Cross and covers just about any situation - from snake bites and bee stings to treating seizures.

If you are planning to travel by car, make sure that your animal is safely restrained. And never leave your companion animal in a car unattended. The outside air may be a pleasing 75 degrees, but the car's interior can heat up to 100 degrees in just 10 minutes. Leaving the windows partly rolled down will not prevent the car from becoming an oven. Every year, numerous pets die in cars because their owners left them in a hot car for "only a few minutes."