So tell me, was I being smart or just paranoid? So I was planning a summer vacation and I really wanted to rent a cabin in the Tennessee mountains, but I hesitated because of one thing bears. And then, when I thought about Florida as an option, I had the same sort of concern alligators. When you travel with your dog, you're not just thinking about your safety but you're thinking about theirs, and sometimes that little voice in your head saying yeah, I don't know, is this a good idea? Is worth listening to. So take the Tennessee mountains.

Black bears are all over the Smokies and most of the time they want nothing to do with us. But dogs can complicate things. Even on leash, a dog barking or pulling could make a bear feel threatened. And once a bear feels threatened, things can escalate quickly. Now I know people who live there will tell you it's manageable if you keep your dog on leash and if you don't leave food outside and maybe choose a cabin with a fenced yard and lots of people bring their dogs and never have a problem. But the real question was would I relax on that trip or would I be tense every time I took my dog out for a potty break?

And then there's Florida. Alligators are everywhere Lakes, ponds, canals are everywhere Lakes, ponds, canals, even little retention ponds in neighborhoods. And unlike bears, who usually keep their distance, an alligator might see a small or medium dog as food if that dog is hanging out near the water's edge. And so that's why locals follow that one golden rule no dogs near the water ever Stick to sidewalks and dog parks or fenced yards and you're fine. But if you're not used to it, it might be easy to not be paying attention and before you know it end up beside a small pond, and that's where trouble could happen. So is it smart or paranoid to worry about bears and gators?

I decided it was smart. It was no different than deciding not to let my dog off leash near a busy road. If the risk felt like it was going to keep me from enjoying my trip, it was okay to change my plans, which I did. I ended up getting a beach rental in North Carolina. But the bottom line is, thinking through these things isn't overreacting. It's part of being a responsible dog owner. You know, if I'm at ease on my vacation, my dog will be at ease, and then everyone will enjoy the vacation a little bit more.