No human can make you feel as guilty as a family dog left behind.

Sure, we managed all right at the start. Reassuring each other that our newest addition -an affectionate springer spaniel with a permanent wag in his tail -would be fine without us if we indulged in occasional weekend getaways.

Despite his long looks, he was just a dog. He would be perfectly cared for with select sitters watching over him.

But -and you likely saw this coming if you're a seasoned dog owner -our naive approach to family travel and temporary pet care quickly fizzled out.

We would miss Thumper when we were gone as much as our rambunctious and freckled companion would miss us. Perhaps more.

Three years into the life of this cheerful young mutt, and we've become a family determined to tailor our holidays to include him whenever possible.

Most recently, with the goal of making the best of Alberta's winters, we put mountain destinations on our radar.

We were thrilled to find that not only do many accommodations accept fourlegged family members as guests, they embrace them as well.

We also learned that inviting along a dog like ours -one who requires regular exercise and fresh air -guarantees unexpected and lively adventures at every turn. For example, in Waterton Lakes National Park, where we stayed at the petfriendly and well-located Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort, we bundled up and wandered along a frozen lakeshore at dawn -drinking in exquisite morning light and memorable vistas that, had we been pet-free, we might have otherwise missed.

The Fairmont Banff Springs greeted Thumper with purple biodegradable poop bags, on-leash (a must in national parks) dog-friendly trail maps, and a helpful letter addressed "Dear Four-Legged Friend." This covered directives such as "remain on leash in public areas of hotel" and "refrain from using restaurant and pool areas" and "arrange for pet-sitter through concierge if owners need to leave you alone in room."

Our evening in Banff was spent skating below the legendary hotel on a frozen pond where nerd dog flirted with local girls while they played a fast game of shinny.

He was delighted to perform his "see puck, will bark (and chase furiously for hours)" trick. Lucky for him and for us, these young hockey players found his enthusiasm charming.

A snack of homemade dog biscuits, another hotel offering, was Thumper's bedtime treat. Our pup eventually curled up on a luxury dog bed covered in crushed velvet. In short, "The Castle of the Rockies" spoils dogs rotten.

Our visit to a snowencrusted Mount Engadine Lodge -famous for its resident moose population and located near Canmore in Spray Lakes Provincial Park -was a highlight for all of us. In winter, the lodge functions as a terrific base for tobogganing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

We didn't bargain -postafternoon snowshoe -on Thumper returning to the lodge almost paralyzed by layers of snowballs that had fastened themselves to all four of his legs, his full underbelly and hindquarters.

Nor did we predict that we would then have to don our bathing suits and drag our shivering beast into a warm shower to melt the icy culprits -offering him desperately needed relief.

I predict our lively community shower/abominable snow dog rescue experience won't be forgotten any time soon.

Meanwhile, in spite of his run-in with sticky snowballs, when it was time to load up the car and return to Calgary, the furriest member of our family showed no interest. Thumper, evidently, had found his inner winter wolf and a return to urban life was clearly less than appealing.

He needn't be too concerned, though.

I've heard that awardwinning Emerald Lake Lodge, located near Field B.C., has recently grown its pet-friendly accommodations from one room to 10 (in a total of 85 rooms.)

Property manager Allison Fraser, whose English bull dog Layla keeps her company at the lodge, tells me she was receiving "e-mail after e-mail" from potential guests wanting to bring their dogs along with them.

"At Christmas time, it was like a petting zoo out here. We had everything from Irish wolfhounds to ridgebacks to I guess what you would call 'mixed numbers,' " says the selfprofessed dog lover.

"All I ask is that people keep their dogs leashed so they don't freak out our wild animals," says Fraser. "That they pick up after them and that they keep their dogs off the groomed cross-country ski trails."

I see more winter travels in our future. Given we've all agreed Thumper is no longer "just a dog," I expect there's something for his inner wolf to get excited about, too.

FOR MORE ABOUT FAMILY LIFE, INCLUDING THUMPER, VISIT KIM RAY'S MODERN FAMILY BLOG AT CALGARYHERALD.COM/LIFE.

Tips for travelling with your pup

Calgary dog trainer and doggy day care owner Velvetanne Madro recommends you consider these tips before hitting the road with your four-legged family member.

- Bring collar and leash and use them.

- Make sure your dog has licence as well as your contact information on collar tags in case he or she gets lost.

- Ensure vaccinations are up to date.

- Research destinations to be prepared.

- If the dog is travelling by a crate in car, be sure the crate is secured.

- If dog suffers from anxiety or motion sickness, consider a Calming Cap or a Thunder Shirt. They're getting great results and reviews. Still, always consult with your vet if you have questions about how to keep Fido calm.

- Remember to bring your dog's food along.

- Keep your pup on the same feeding schedule; change can cause anxiety and upset stomachs.

- Always keep your pup well-hydrated. Carry a water bottle and bowl and ensure he or she receives fresh water throughout the day.

- Research dog-friendly hotels ahead of time. Find out what they offer. Do they provide dog beds? Dog day care? Dog runs outside so your dog can do his business?

- Remember to bring along plenty of poop bags. For obvious reasons.

Heading to national parks

Here are Parks Canada's tips for taking Fido from spokesperson Lori Bayne:

- Dogs must be on leash at all times

- Scoop up anything left behind by your pet.

- If you are camping, ensure dog food is not left out as a "bear attractant."

- Visit Parks Canada Information Centres to see which trails are accessible for dog walking.

Pet friendly at the Juniper

When the Juniper Hotel & Bistro recently contacted the Herald to find out if we could attend their Bison and Blues Winery Weekend, there was a provision: love me, love my dog.

I'm dogsitting for my parents, and couldn't bear the thought of leaving the border collie-German shepherd-Bernese mountain dog behind. But he's not exactly a small dog, I warned general manager James Kendal.

I didn't need to worry. All 75 pounds of Buster was warmly welcomed into their pet-friendly program, including a ground-floor room with wooden flooring that's easier than carpet to keep clean. When I asked about areas for dog walks around the Juniper's location at the bottom of the Mount Norquay road leading into Banff, I got a puzzled look: just go outside, the reception desk told me. Walk anywhere (on a leash, of course). Buster loved it. And so did I.

-Yvonne Jeffery, Calgary Herald