When travelling in cold climes, on no account allow your pussy to freeze… [Photo by cai56/Flickr]

OK, let’s face it. All pet owners have had a ‘pet pang’ at one time or another. You’re sitting front and centre poolside, with pina and Persols, but wait, there’s something missing - where’s poochie? Yeah, remember poochie? Your ever loyal, ever loving precious burden, consigned to kennels for the vacation duration and pining for his parents day in and day out with nothing for comfort but the lonely cold floor and [ed. alright, enough already, I feel terrible...] Well, now, at least in the US, there’s an answer…

Ta-dah! The plane, the plane

Step forward the world’s first pet-only airline, Pet Airways… OK, so they ain’t exactly seeing the world at this stage, servicing only Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta and New York to LA, via Baltimore, Chicago, Omaha, Denver and Phoenix, with a mandatory overnight stopover in Chicago on longer legs, but it’s a start, and what you do get is a pet-focused experience, starting with check-in at dedicated pet lounges, and a potty break before boarding. Aaah. Dogs and cats fly in a specially outfitted turboprop passenger plane with the seats taken out and carriers installed in its place. What’s more, there is a human flight attendant checking on the animals regularly during the flight. Once the plane arrives, you simply head to the airport to pick up Sooty for your tearful reunion and a nice bowl of kibble.

It’s far from perfect, but it sure beats sticking Ginger in the hold, or jamming Rex under the seat (presuming he’s the size of a gerbil).

Comfy cabin canines at Dogtravel Company

You may have read about Becks doling out 2,000 quid to fly his Brit Bulldog pup first class from London to LA with PetAir (NOT to be confused with Pet Airways) after being cooked a meal by Gordon Ramsay, but as far as we can tell, the poor mutt still had to travel cargo class, the difference being he had a custom built crate for the trip. Now, if you really have money to burn, there is another option that can take you and your furry friends almost anywhere around the globe, side by side and at your convenience – and that’s chartering a flight via the Dogtravel Company. For the cost of a home, you get to have darling Fifi sitting on the seat right next to you, sharing mealtimes and movies, fun, laughter and special moments.

Don’t forget your diamond-studded pooper-scooper…