So, can you take dogs on buses? Yes, but with the finesse of a cat burglar. Check your local rules, bring a carrier for small dogs, and for the love of all that is fuzzy, have a poop bag ready. A bus driver in Chicago once made a man get off because his dog had an accident in the aisle. The man tried to clean it with a scarf. The scarf was cashmere. The driver didn’t care.
If you follow the rules, bus-riding with your dog can be a joy. You’ll meet other dog lovers, get free nose boops from strangers, and your dog will learn that buses are just big rumbling puppy cars. Just don’t let them charge the bus fare. I tried that once, and my beagle tried to pay with a slobbery leaf. The driver said, “Close enough.” And that’s how I learned: sometimes the rules bend for a good dog.
