Motorway services!!

[Haribosmummy]

Do ANY of them allow dogs in???

I have to make a reasonably long journey alone (with a baby and a dog)... I'm going to have to stop to give the baby a break etc., but can't really leave the dog in the car...

Does anyone know of any services (preferably Midlands / M1) that allow dogs in?

No because they serve food, can you not tie the dog up at the entrance for a short while?

Why can't you leave the dog in the car?

I don't want to tie the dog up outside

I can't leave the dog in the car because the car won't lock without activating the alarm and then the alarm will go off continuously as soon as the dog moves.

Oh, well, looks like I'll have to stop at a petrol station cafe...

thanks anyway.

Check your car alarm, some lock without internal sensors if you lock it with the key in the lock rather than using the remote.

Didn't thing tying up dog was strange, thinking you can take a dog into motorway services is more I think. .

Don't know of many petrol station cafes that will let dogs in either.

No, no chance on the car - don't have a key for it (no option of locking with a key, IYSWIM)

I wouldn't tie the dog up outside anywhere... Not just a service station. I really can't see what the problem is in having some sort of area that dogs are allowed in, but that's a different thread all together!

I was thinking of a petrol station cafe because I can park the car where I can see it (and therefore leave the dog in it unlocked... does that make sense!!)

The cafe in Donnington park services has seats (I think) and car spaces straight out front so that will have to do. Not ideal, but thereagain, trying to drive the length of England with a baby and a dog on my own is far from ideal either!!!

thanks again! Saved me searching around trying to find out on Moto's website!!!

Sorry, should add, I don't agree with dogs being tied up unsupervised at all.. Especially at the entrance to places where they will be passed by innumerable strangers.

IMHO, dogs are the responsibility of their owners at all times and therefore should not be tied (even securely) where they can't be seen.

That's probably a whole different thread, but I don't agree with it at all and I certainly wouldn't do it.

Ok fair enough,
you might find services where the parking area is visable from cafe too, but hard to know until you pull in.

The MOTO services provide food and water in the doorways for your dogs when you travel.

try this

Thanks wittyname and skramble

Yes, I know Moto have water bowls (very rarely water, I have to say though!) and treats (again, usually empty) but I can't sit and feed the baby there...

ANyway, think I'll take my chances on the petrol station idea...

I don't think I've got a better option, to be honest!

Thanks again for your help!

Could you stick the baby in a sling while you give the dog a quick walk, chance to stretch his legs and relieve himself etc in the car park, then feed the baby on the front seat (passenger side if steering wheel in the way) - being in the sling will give him a break from the seat and some fresh (ish!) air. Then you can change him on the back seat if need be before putting him back in his carseat.

Not the best solution but another option, anyway. If you're wanting a break from the car seat for the oxygen levels reasons you really only need to take them out for a matter of seconds (though of course it's nice to give them a longer break) so that should be ample time.

Some Service stations have a grassy area for you to sit at - you could take a break there and feed your daughter - if it is a nice day.

It's not a s grim as it sounds! We stopped with our dog on the M4 somewhere and a good few other travellers were sitting there with a picnic - beats the service station food!

Hi - I think this website might do the trick - www.drivingwithdogs.co.uk It has dog walk places near all the motorway junctions, and also lists kids' activities, and dog/child friendly pubs and cafes