MSI Press Blog

  Some people travel for the scenery. Some for the food. Some for the stories they’ll tell later. But when you travel with a dog, you travel for the presence . A dog doesn’t care about the itinerary. He doesn’t ask how many miles are left or whether the hotel has decent Wi-Fi. He isn’t calculating the time, the cost, or the inconvenience. A dog simply climbs into the car, circles once, settles in, and says with his whole body: I’m with you. That’s enough. And that changes everything. A dog keeps you grounded Humans can overthink a trip into exhaustion before the engine even starts. A dog, meanwhile, is already enjoying the first five minutes. The open window. The new smells. The promise of adventure. Traveling with a dog reminds you that the journey is not a problem to be solved but a moment to be lived. A dog notices what you miss We speed past landscapes. Dogs inhale them. We glance at people. Dogs greet them. We hurry through rest stops. Dogs turn them into small pilgrimages of ...

Writers love to pretend inspiration arrives like lightning, but more often it shows up with dusty boots, a full tank of gas, and a dog who thinks every mile is an adventure. Two travelogues—written sixty years apart—prove that the open road has a way of shaking loose the stories we didn’t know we were carrying. John Steinbeck’s  Travels with Charley  and Larry MacDonald’s  Travels with Elly  share a surprising kinship. Both authors set out with a poodle riding shotgun. Both felt a tug to understand their country more deeply. Both believed that the best way to see a place is to move through it slowly, talking to strangers, watching the land change, and letting the journey rearrange their thinking. Two Journeys, Two Countries, One Instinct Steinbeck left Sag Harbor in 1960 because he feared he no longer knew the America he had spent decades writing about. He built a custom camper—Rocinante—and set off with Charley, his French poodle, for a 10,000‑mile loop around the U...

  Train travel with pets can be a peaceful alternative to planes or cars—especially on Amtrak, where select routes welcome small pets in-cabin. But it’s not one-size-fits-all. Here’s how to navigate Amtrak’s policies with empathy, foresight, and a touch of sanctuary spirit. 📝 Before You Book Know the Limits : Amtrak allows dogs and cats up to 20 lbs (including carrier) on most routes up to 7 hours long. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and odor-free, non-disruptive, and healthy. Service Animals Are Exempt : Legitimate service animals are welcome at no charge and are not subject to weight or carrier restrictions. Emotional support animals are not classified as service animals under Amtrak policy. Reserve Early : Only a limited number of pets are allowed per train. Book in advance and pay the pet fee (typically around $25). Carrier Requirements : Use a leak-proof, well-ventilated carrier no larger than 19" x 14" x 10.5". It must fit under your seat and remain closed t...