I just returned from an almost perfect, long-weekend trip to Key West. We gathered ten friends, rented a historic, five bedroom home on a quiet, tree-lined street, and motor-boated down from Miami on a perfectly glorious day.

The only problem? Apart from seven-foot seas on our return trip (which necessitated a rental car and a gloomy drive back without our boat), the only problem was…the dog thing.

Four days and three nights without my dogs? Bad enough. Four days and three nights knowing they were sleeping in a glorified kennel (at work) without me? Terrible!

My son was with his grandparents. My boyfriend’s cats were in their own home. The goat had the benefit of a house-sitter (my sister). But my dogs? Stuck in a stainless steel box because it was deemed “safest” (by me).

Is there any guilt like a mother’s? I think not.

I long for the vacation where my dogs can be carted along and crated when necessary. But until airlines, restaurants, hotels and rentals start towing the line, vacation-associated guilt will remain the rule. And we pet people aren’t likely to get satisfaction anytime soon.

Take flying: There’s no airline [I know of] that will allow you to fly with your fifteen pound-plus dog in the cabin. Even plump cats are unlikely to make the cutoff. And cargo is no place for a pet—no matter what the airlines say. Pressurized and air-controlled though they tout it, they can’t promise human-quality conditions on deep-freeze or tarmac-blistered days. (Why else would the industry be federally mandated to yield to seasonal weather restrictions when transporting animals?)

Trains? Forget it. There are no animal-friendly accommodations available. Why? I have no idea.

How about our hotels? There are some. But unless you want to stay at a Days Inn, you can be sure of a lengthy search and a dearth of Bed and Breakfasts.

To be sure, it’s changing. In fact, I’m sure many of you find ways to vacation with your pets…as do I—on occasion (when the moon and the stars are aligned). Still, it’s a major production for most of us. I mean, consider: after you’ve hooked up the transport, the lodging and the day-to-day business, what will you do for emergency vet care?

Maybe next time you can invite me! But be warned: you’ll have to put up with two spoiled Frenchies and one vet with a very expensive appetite.