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Yena Kim describes her Shiba Inu, Bodhi, as her "soul dog." She hadn't planned <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/couple-travels-works-with-dog-spends-double-budget-pet-2024-8">to get a dog</a>, but when she held him for the first time 15 years ago, she knew he was special. "I truly believe that we were meant to meet," Kim, now 37, says. "He was meant to be my muse and inspiration."Ten years ago, Kim was working what she calls her dream job at Ralph Lauren when she decided to quit so she could spend more time with Bodhi. "It killed me to see his sad face as I left home for work," she says, "so I designed a new job where I can spend all day with him."<a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/mensweardog/">Menswear Dog</a> was born. The social-media brand features Bodhi modeling menswear outfits that Kim makes. For a couple of years Kim built the account on nights and weekends while working a day job as a marketing consultant so that she could afford a place in Brooklyn with a yard for Bodhi and her other dog, Luc. She even went without health insurance for a while to make sure the dogs were taken care of. (The pups always had <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cat-got-cancer-assessed-pet-insurance-2024-10">insurance</a>.) Now she earns enough from Menswear Dog to focus on it — and her dogs — full time."Bodhi and Luc have forged a path for me and with me," she says, adding that taking care of her dogs has given her an "immediate sense of purpose."She isn't the only millennial who feels this way about her pets. The generation is leading the way when it comes to pet ownership — <a target="_blank" href="https://americanpetproducts.org/industry-trends-and-stats">almost a third</a> of US pet owners are millennials. And they adore them: In an online survey of American pet owners in April, more than a third of millennial respondents said they'd turn down a higher-paying job to spend more time with their animal companions.The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/remote-workers-return-to-office-reason-pets-dogs-2022-11">rise in pet ownership</a> stands in stark contrast to another recent trend: the decline in parenthood. The percentages of US women between 30 and 39 in 2022 who had never had children were the highest they'd been since at least 1976. As more millennials <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/death-of-typical-american-nuclear-family-economic-crisis-marriage-divorce-2024-3">move away from traditional family structures</a>, adopting a pet has become a new milestone. As a result, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rise-of-dogs-and-childless-adults-shaping-real-estate-urban-amenities-2024-10">millennials are increasingly spending time and money pampering their animals</a>. A MarketWatch report said pet spending increased by 67% from 2013 to 2021, and businesses including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dogue-dog-food-cafe-san-francisco-luxury-tasting-menu-photos-2022-10">dog cafés</a> and luxury cat hotels have emerged to cater to the growing demand. But pet trainers and veterinarians say excessive pampering may be leading to health and behavioral problems.A recent study published in The Lancet predicted that by 2100, more than 97% of countries and territories will have fertility rates below the levels needed to sustain their populations. Meanwhile, the number of people with pets continues to climb. In China, whose population has been shrinking, the urban pet population is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-china-city-dwellers-rather-raise-pets-than-toddlers-2024-8">expected to surpass the country's number of toddlers by 2030</a>.Hayley Kellard lives in the UK and has never had much interest in having children. The 40-year-old says she's happy being child-free — but when it comes to dogs, it's a different story. Kellard's family has always gently mocked her obsessions, joking that she likes dogs more than people, but she says she doesn't care."I say I get 'proody' instead of 'broody,' because if I see a puppy I'll just sit on the floor and let it climb all over me," she said. "I just think dogs are less demanding, they're so much fun, they're so affectionate, and they mostly don't have tantrums."Before her Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Paddy, died in May, Kellard's life revolved around him. When she suffered from anxiety and depression, he was the only thing that got her out of bed some days. In his later years, Paddy lived in her spare room, where he slept on a double bed. Kellard and her husband even stopped going on vacations abroad because Kellard didn't want to leave Paddy at home alone. Instead, they'd go to dog-friendly cottages within the country. "Even at home, we got to a point where we didn't leave him home alone," Kellard says. "So if we were eating out, we'd go somewhere dog-friendly and would always order him a doggy sausage or share some of our meal with him."It's a real adjustment finding my new sense of purpose now my life isn't revolving around Paddy," she adds. By the end of Paddy's life, Kellard says, she was spending an average of £200, or about $260, a month on him — sometimes up to £400.Across the board, more pet owners are splurging on their animals. In its annual surveys, the American Pet Products Association has found that pet owners have reported spending more on things like treats, food, toys, and clothing each year. In response, a host of boutique pet stores have popped up. In 2022, San Francisco welcomed Dogue, a "pawtisserie" serving minimally processed artisan treats like pastries and "dogguccinos." New York City is home to spots like District Dog, which makes pup-friendly birthday cakes, and Love Thy Beast, which sells custom dog apparel. Luxury pet hotels such as Chateau Poochie in Pompano Beach, Florida, cater to dogs and cats with high-end boarding services: Cats can relax in "three-tier deluxe condos" with virtual coral reefs and private powder rooms, while dogs enjoy gourmet meals, spa treatments, and round-the-clock care.Despite how much effort Kellard put into taking care of Paddy, she says she still prefers pets over children because they require much less responsibility. "You can go on holiday for a week and leave your dog with a friend or family member. You can go out for a nice meal and leave the dog at home," she says. "I generally just find dogs a lot more relaxing than children. Children seem to need a lot more attention than dogs do."While some millennial dog owners <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-parents-dinks-childfree-boomers-economy-outlook-population-growth-birthrate-2024-2">are forgoing having children</a>, others are using dogs as training for parenthood.Michael Wang, who lives in New York City with his wife, Adriene Wong, describes their corgi, Dash, as their "starter kid." For years while the couple, who are in their late 30s, were dating, Wang protested Wong's desire to get a dog. "I was scared of commitment and scared of responsibility," he said. But on the way back from their honeymoon in December 2018, Wong revealed that they'd be getting a dog in a month. "What are you going to do? Divorce me?" she asked him.When Wang saw Dash in January 2019, his heart melted. He says he realized he'd been focusing on the negatives, such as the extra cost and responsibility, while forgetting about the "extra joy" a dog would bring into their lives. They decided to get their second dog, Lili, last November, a few months before their baby was due.The couple say they learn things from their dogs "all the time" and have been able to apply some of these lessons to parenthood. Wong says Dash and Lili have taught them patience in particular. But she says that "there's a lot more that goes into raising a human being than a dog, for sure."For some, approaching dog ownership as a trial run for parenthood may be more harmful than helpful for the dogs, given that the skills required to raise them are drastically different."We are not their parents, they are wholly different species from humans, and there is a total language barrier," says Mark Van Wye, the CEO of Zoom Room, a chain of indoor dog-training gyms in the US. Treating a dog as a "fur baby" and failing to create boundaries, he tells me, can lead to them thinking they're entitled to things such as toys, food, or even a space on their owner's lap. "This can lead to aggressive behavior, especially if they feel their 'rights' are being threatened," he says. "It's like giving a kid all the candy they want and then wondering why they're bouncing off the walls." Dogs who are treated as children could also become stressed — or at least their owners are increasingly concerned about them being stressed. The American Pet Products Association found this year that the use of calming products, such as anxiety supplements, diffusers, and chews, had grown by 168% for dogs and by 174% for cats since 2018. Van Wye says that dogs that are constantly doted on or "treated like they're fragile" often struggle with anxiety when they're left at home. "They've grown so accustomed to being the center of attention that they don't know how to cope when that attention isn't there," he says, adding that this can lead to destructive behaviors like excessive barking and chewing up furniture.Dogs' physical health is also a growing concern. A 2022 survey from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 59% of dogs were considered overweight or obese, a 3-point increase from 2018. Sean Prichard, the head canine fitness coach at Pant &amp; Wag, a dog fitness company, says he has noticed more people coming to him with obese dogs. He says he believes the issue stems from owners feeding their dogs as if they were children rather than sticking to proper canine nutrition. "Instead of feeding the dog on a set schedule with a set amount, I have several clients who feed their dog whenever the dog 'asks' for food, and this includes giving the dog bites of human food," he says.Dog owners can't be blamed entirely for the changing behavior. Dr. Eliza O'Callaghan, a managing veterinarian for Small Door Vet's New York City locations, told me that the pandemic had "definitely left its mark on dog behavior." She's seen the biggest shift in young dogs that spent the first couple of years of their lives constantly surrounded by their owners. "Now, as people return to the office, many of these dogs are struggling with significant separation anxiety," she says.Wong says she and Wang are "very guilty" of treating their dogs as babies. "We tuck them into bed," she says. She says that when they got Dash, she wanted him to have the "best diet," so she looked up recipes to make for him at home and bought organic ingredients and expensive chicken from Whole Foods. Wong recalled one day when Wang came home, saw her cooking, and asked what was for dinner. "I looked at him and was like, 'Well, this is for Dash,'" she says.Eventually, she realized it was too much and started buying dog food."We love them. We want what's best for them," Wang says. "Do we go overboard? Yeah, maybe sometimes. And then we'll reel it back."When I ask Kim whether she thinks she's ever gone overboard pampering Bodhi, she says the thought had never occurred to her. "I know there are people that are critical of dog parents who do 'too much' for their dog," she says. "I would urge them to take this energy and direct it towards dog parents that do too little and neglect or abuse their dogs instead."Pouring energy into pets provides a sense of companionship and purpose that has traditionally been fulfilled by children — while avoiding the lifelong financial and emotional commitment kids require. But just like with children, it's possible to go too far. And no one wants to raise a spoiled brat, human or animal.<a target="_blank" rel="" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/aimee-pearcy">Aimee Pearcy</a> is a freelance journalist who writes about technology and digital culture.

Millennials are raising pets instead of kids. It's not going well for the pets.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>TV host and travel writer Sophie Morgan was paralyzed from the chest down in a car crash at 18.</li><li>She told BI that flying for disabled people is often extremely difficult and uncomfortable.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sophie Morgan, an NBC and Channel 4 presenter and travel writer. It has been edited for length and clarity.I'm a TV presenter, travel writer, and disability advocate.I was in a car crash when I was 18 years old that left me paralyzed from the chest down. I've been a wheelchair user for 21 years this summer, the majority of my life.With my job as a TV host, I've flown all over the world. I love nothing more than to travel, but as a disabled person, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amid-airline-chaos-wheelchair-users-are-the-latest-casualties-delays-cancellations">flying often feels like a lottery</a> — you never really know what you're going to get.Every time I fly, I dread it. Because of my disability, I always starve and dehydrate beforehand because I often can't independently use the bathroom on board.A survey from disability equality charity Scope found that one in four people who use a mobility aid say it has been lost or damaged while flying in the past five years.For wheelchair users like me, your <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/travel-blogger-carried-off-air-canada-operated-flight-wheelchair-2024">wheelchair getting broken</a> is not just an inconvenience like having your luggage lost.The experience of flying has, at times, been so horrendous that I've asked myself, why am I flying? It's like returning to an abusive relationship.<h2 id="549f0f11-4459-4890-ac16-89427e55a2ca">Campaigning for change</h2>In February 2023, I took a British Airways flight from the United States to Heathrow, London. My wheelchair had been transported in the hold in two separate pieces.For some reason, somebody had decided to reattach them without knowing what to do and did so incorrectly. The chair broke, leaving the frame buckled and the attachment broken.[When contacted by Business Insider, British Airways apologized for Sophie Morgan's experience and said, "It's extremely disheartening when things go wrong, and we don't underestimate the impact this has. We're committed to ensuring we deliver a consistently good service, and we'll be working closely with Sophie and our dedicated accessibility teams to discuss how we can continue to make improvements to ensure a great flying experience for everyone."]Over the next year, the same thing happened twice more on different airlines at different times.It was very, very frustrating. For wheelchair users like me, our wheelchairs are our legs. Your wheelchair being broken means you can't leave the house, you can't move, you can't go to work, you can't do anything.I got fed up with seeing this destruction and chaos created by an industry that makes accommodations for all sorts of passengers but fails to accommodate disabled passengers.Pets have more rights on flights than disabled people. So I thought enough is enough and decided to start the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://rightsonflights.com/">Rights on Flights</a> campaign to try to raise awareness.At the core of the campaign is improving the rights of all disabled flyers when we fly. We want to change the experience for every passenger who flies with a disability.<h2 id="fbc6814c-f8ec-41fb-8016-7cc4a8e7b058">An open secret</h2>We co-produced a documentary called <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.channel4.com/programmes/sophie-morgans-fight-to-fly">"The Fight to Fly"</a> with Hello Sunshine, the production company set up by Reese Witherspoon. In it, we organized three groups of disabled passengers to travel undercover at different times to different airports on the same day.The results were chaos and confirmed what we, as the disabled community, know is happening all the time. This isn't news to us, but to everybody else, it feels like a secret they haven't been let in on.I'm an optimist and believe in the future being more accessible. I also know now, having worked in this space for nearly two years, that there are people within the industry who are calling out for it too.We've talked enough now about the spending power of disabled people for airlines to recognize there's a financial gain for being more inclusive.I think businesses, especially those with disabled employees who have to fly as part of their work, have a big role to play in this, too.They have the power to tell the airline industry to get its act together and hopefully get them to change things for the better.

I use a wheelchair and dread flying. Pets are treated better on planes than disabled people.

Ranked: The most popular costumes for adults, pets, and kids this Halloween

<ul class="summary-list"><li>More and more couples are including pet provisions in their prenups, divorce attorneys say.</li><li>Pet prenups can cover things like animal custody, financial arrangements, and even "petcations."</li></ul>Fighting over Fido has never been easier.More and more Americans are celebrating their impending nuptials by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-are-driving-an-increase-in-prenuptial-agreements-2019-8">securing a prenup</a>, a legal document that outlines how an engaged couple's assets would be split in the case of divorce.And divorce lawyers are seeing an uptick in the inclusion of pet provisions in prenups, ensuring beloved animals are accounted for should the relationship go awry."Very often, I find people will fight more about a pet than over money," said Jacqueline Newman, a New York divorce attorney.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/surprising-prenup-clauses-marriage-divorce-2019-2">Pet prenups</a> are a relatively new phenomenon in the marriage and end-of-marriage world, but for as long as people have been marrying and separating, they've been concerned about their precious "fur babies," Newman told Business Insider.Some couples included pet provisions in their prenups as far back as the mid-aughts, but those early arrangements were rarely enforceable and often legally impractical, according to Erin Levine, a former divorce attorney and the founder of online divorce platform Hello Divorce.Courts have long been accustomed to treating pets as property in divorce, deciding an animal's fate <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/which-states-are-community-property-states-in-divorce">alongside other assets</a>, like homes and earnings.These days, however, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-california-divorce-courts-go-to-dogs-as-pets-gain-status-2018-9">changing state laws</a>, evolving attitudes around animal ethics, and a pandemic spike in adoptions have led to an uptick in so-called pet prenups, several divorce attorneys and mediators told Business Insider.<h2 id="802e9330-798e-4383-8bb8-a7a4cf53227c">The history of pet prenups</h2>The term "pet prenup" refers to any prenuptial agreement that includes a provision dealing with pets, legal experts said. But pet prenups only exist today thanks to years of divorcing couples fighting over pets.In her early days practicing family law, Newman said she sometimes worked with divorcing couples who wanted to include pets in their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/divorce-share-custody-kids-parenting-plan-time-regret-decision-2024-1">custody agreements</a> as they tried to figure out where the kids would go after a split.As people started <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/people-dating-longer-than-ever-before-getting-married-2017-7">getting married later in life</a>, often forgoing children entirely, Newman said she began to see a rise in pet-exclusive divorce arrangements, in which couples would hash it out over only their shared animals.Levine encountered her first "pet prenup" about a decade ago, she said. The millennial couple she was working with was considering combining their assets and had a shared dog they were certain would one day be <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-famous-animals-of-all-time-2019-10#:~:text=Many%20creatures%20throughout%20history%20have,husky%20are%20regarded%20as%20heroes.">famous</a>. As a result, the puppy parents wanted to make sure there were legal provisions in place for the pet's future earnings and career control should they split.<div type="image" title="A child pets an elderly dog" height="1456" width="1941" msid="112811286" hostid="261" sizebytes="161004"></div>Kristyn Carmichael, an Arizona family law attorney and mediator, said in comments to BI that pet prenups often designate outright ownership, i.e., Fido belonged to Partner A before the marriage, so Fido will live with Partner A after the marriage.But many arrangements also allow for a more structured pet parenting plan, not dissimilar to a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bird-nesting-divorce-parenting-plan-2023-12">custody agreement with kids</a> — known in the industry as a "co-pawrenting agreement," according to Levine.The divorced couple could <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-about-wally-how-to-co-parent-a-pet-with-your-ex-2012-2">share time with a pet equally</a>, or an agreement might designate one partner as a pet's primary owner while offering the second partner "right of first refusal" should the first partner no longer be able to care for the pet, Carmichael said.Many pet provisions also include <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pets-how-much-each-year-own-cats-dogs-2019-10">financial details</a> for the animal — known as "petimony" — such as vet bills, food and litter costs, and grooming, divorce experts said.Without a pet provision included in a couple's prenup, the fight over shared animals can get nasty, Newman said. In most states, pets are still considered chattel or personal property, so a judge will typically decide where a pet goes post-divorce if the couple can't come to an agreement, divorce lawyers said. Similar to how a judge might decide custody of children, the court most often grants ownership to the pet's primary caretaker."Still, the last thing a judge wants to do is deal with pet custody issues," Levine said. "And the last thing pet parents want to do is spend thousands on legal fees going to court."<h2 id="aaba1c65-fdd8-461f-b0bb-3c7c58feca43">The rise of pet prenups</h2>Divorce attorneys who spoke to BI agreed that pet prenups have become increasingly popular in recent years. Out of nine divorce attorneys and mediators who discussed pet provisions with BI, eight said they had some firsthand experience with them.Meg McKinney, a Maryland family law attorney, estimated that about one-fourth of prenuptial agreements these days include some sort of pet provision, while New York family law attorney Yonatan Levoritz put the number closer to 20%.<div type="image" title="Cats" height="2663" width="3551" msid="112811281" hostid="261" sizebytes="670418"></div>According to a 2024 <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=b1629522909bbcde3df991ba78b605159be4f7fc284ad6ee7df438dc92231e11&amp;postID=66bfaf5d7d61a86c186b78b8&amp;postSlug=pet-prenups-new-divorce-marriage-trend-provisions-legal-dogs-2024-8&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rover.com%2Fblog%2Fprepup%2F">survey</a> of 1,000 pet owners conducted by Rover, more than 80% of pet parents are in favor of proactively arranging their pet's future ahead of any potential split. That's no surprise for a population that considers their pets as much a part of the family as other humans, according to a 2023 Pew Research <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/07/07/about-half-us-of-pet-owners-say-their-pets-are-as-much-a-part-of-their-family-as-a-human-member/">survey</a>.Still, only about 28% of pet parents actually have an official pet agreement of any sort, according to the Rover survey, and divorce experts said animal provisions are still more uncommon than not.As a result, some divorce mediators are encouraging those without a pet prenup to think about pets early in the splitting process.Levine's platform, Hello Divorce, aims to automate many of the legal and financial logistics associated with divorce. In recent years, Levine said she's implemented specific questions about pets into the website's welcome questionnaire.As a result, Levine said, she's seen several unorthodox evolutions of the typical pet provisions, including fights over an animal's Instagram account, negotiations over "petcations," and outlines for a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-pennsylvania-pastor-throws-extravagant-funeral-for-pet-pug-2021-5">pet's funeral arrangements.</a><h2 id="a234143c-0556-42d9-acf1-26c063fdc036">The factors spurring pet prenups</h2>Shifting legal and cultural attitudes toward pets could be contributing to the rise in pet prenups, divorce experts said.While pets are still considered personal property in most of the country, some states have started considering their "best interest" by applying the same standard used in child custody cases to animals, said New York family law attorney Atty Bruggemann. Alaska, California, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Washington, DC, all have such laws in place, according to Hello Divorce.On the one hand, these sorts of pro-animal laws could be encouraging people to take a more proactive approach to thinking about their pets in a custodial way, divorce attorneys said. But the "best interest" stipulations also make pet provisions in prenups slightly less cut-and-dried, with a judge also having to consider which partner is best equipped to give the animal a good life, said Leigh Kahn, a New York attorney who regularly draws up prenups."Courts are starting to take this very seriously. They're not treating animals just as objects anymore," Newman said. "They're living beings with feelings and needs."<div type="image" title="A New Yorker sits on her balcony, hugging her cat and dog, who are covered by pet insurance." height="1414" width="1885" msid="112811287" hostid="261" sizebytes="119308"></div>Pets aren't just showing up in prenups, either. The Wall Street Journal <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/you-love-your-dog-should-she-be-in-your-will-a2af9b04?mod=latest_headlines">reported</a> earlier this month that people increasingly include their animals in their wills.The rise of more pet-friendly laws falls in line with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/half-owners-say-pets-equal-human-family-member-survey-2023-7">America's growing obsession with our pets</a>. Animal ownership is on the rise, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic, during which <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dog-trainers-burnout-booked-solid-after-millions-adopted-pandemic-puppies-2021-8">millions</a> of households adopted a new animal during the drudge of social distancing. Joe and Cheryl Dillon, divorce mediators at Equitable Mediation, said in comments to BI that the pandemic pet boom was a contributing factor to the uptick in pet prenups."Pets are really very often a couple's first baby," Newman said. "And if you have teenagers, you may like your pet way better than you like your kids."

Pet prenups are the hot new divorce trend

<ul class="summary-list"><li>American Airlines updated its policy to make flying with pets easier.</li><li>Now, flyers can board with a pet in addition to a carry-on bag or a personal item.</li></ul>American Airlines has streamlined its policy for passengers traveling with pets.The airline is now allowing passengers to bring pets inside the cabin alongside a regular carry-on bag or a personal item, according to the <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-pets-baggage-change-2a9b770e62fba682a6059c930d03ba42">Associated Press</a>. However, passengers can not bring both a carry-on bag and a personal item.Previously, passengers who traveled with a pet could only bring one small item that fit beneath the seat in front of them, the outlet reported. Larger carry-on bags had to be checked for a $35 fee on top of the <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/pets.jsp">standard $150 pet fee</a>.<div type="image" title="An American Airlines Airbus A319 ." height="3333" width="5000" msid="108906587" hostid="261" sizebytes="1104640"></div>Carry-on pets refer to cats or dogs that meet the specified requirements for age, size, and destination, according to its policy. Pets can also be placed in American Airlines cargo."We made the change to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience to customers whose pets fly American," an American Airlines representative told AP.Representatives for American Airlines did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Business Insider.The latest policy update comes after American Airlines announced in February it will <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-airlines-raises-baggage-fees-frequent-flyer-miles-2024-2">raise checked bag fees</a>. One checked bag used to cost $30, and the second was $40. Now, the first checked bag for domestic flights is $35, and the second is $45.The airline also changed how customers earn frequent flyer miles and loyalty points.

American Airlines just made it easier and cheaper to bring pets on flights

Trump and Harris talk pet-eating migrants, race, and war at the 2024 presidential debate

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The market for pets, sports, and cultural IP are poised for huge growth in Chin, BofA says.</li><li>With demand outpacing supply in those sectors, greater investment could boost consumption.</li></ul>A family dog, tennis, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-duffy-friends-franchise-revenue-sales-asia-disneyland-linabelle-shanghai-2023-9">Disney Shanghai's LinaBell</a> character have one thing in common — they might end up pulling China out of a long slump in consumer demand. Those rapidly growing areas are poised to drive a rebound in China's anemic consumer spending, Bank of America analysts say."Despite aggregate demand remaining sluggish, structural changes in consumption patterns have led to rapid growth in select areas where supply has yet to catch up to demand," the analysts said in a Friday report.They point to pets, sports and cultural IPs as the most promising sectors."Expanding supply in these sectors, through either direct government investment or policy-guided private investment, could prove to be useful in boosting consumption," the analysts said.China's pet economy is seeing outsize spending as pets come to occupy a greater place of prominence in households. That means people are willing to spend more beyond basic necessities, buying pet services like skill training, insurance, travel, and photo shoots.Those services lack market penetration, and once supply catches up, could see further growth, the analysts say.The size of China's pet economy increased 40% from 2019 to 2023, and is projected to gain another 29% by 2026, the analysts say."For these owners, especially those in higher tier cities, pets are increasingly treated as key family members that offer important emotional support and companionships. Such pattern will likely become even more common in the future, especially as marriage rates and birth rates continue to tumble," the analysts said.China's sports economy also has room for growth amid rising demand, with just under 70% of the country's residents participating in sports at least once a week. That trumps the EU's 40% participation rate, the analysts say.Tennis, in particular, has picked up steam in the last few years, especially since a Chinese player won gold in the sport for the first time in history at this year's summer Olympics.China accounts for 23% of tennis players globally, but has under 9% of the world's tennis courts, the analysts say."This to us suggests that China can at least double the amount of existing courts to be on par with international levels," the analysts said. "Tennis also has a bigger multiplier effect to overall consumer spending given that fees across coaching, venue and equipment tends to be much higher than that for badminton and table tennis."They add that there's an opportunity, too, for China to host sporting events to take advantage of the growing interest and to attract more tourism.Finally, the analysts see significant growth potential in the country's "cultural IP" economy — spending on books, movies, and experiences based on fictional characters or storylines.That spending is especially pronounced in Disney Shanghai's LinaBell character, a pink fox introduced in 2021 that's seen huge popularity.The character Wukong from the Chinese classic tale Journey to the West is a source of big spending, too, especially with the recent release of Black Myth, a video game based on the tale. It sold over 10 million copies globally in the four days following its release."Consumers have ever growing demand for unique emotional values. This can come in the form of a quirky Disney character that is stress relieving or in the form of a video game with traditional Chinese symbols, such as the Black Myth, which provides cultural pride," the analysts said.China's economy has been stuck in the doldrums amid <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-weak-domestic-demand-factory-activity-amid-strong-export-2024-7">weak consumer spending</a>. Retail sales grew just 2% in June before jumping to 2.7% in July, even as disposable incomes have grown.China's economic slump has also been fueled by a collapsing property market, with property sales tumbling and much of the country's available housing supply remaining vacant.

Pets, sports, and Disney might end up rescuing China's ailing consumer economy

<ul class="summary-list"><li>My 18-year-old daughter suddenly decided to move out and live with her father.</li><li>I became an empty nester and struggled with the loneliness.</li></ul>My <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/teenage-daughter-backpacked-alone-europe-months-growth-2024-11">youngest daughter</a> was approaching her senior year in high school when she announced that she wanted to live with her dad. I was shocked.I'd been a single mom with primary custody for over a decade. Despite typical <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/one-on-one-time-children-mother-daughter-relationship-2023-11">mother-daughter</a> tension, we had a good relationship. I was looking forward to one last year together before she left for college, but she had different plans.Initially, I resisted and tried to talk her out of moving in with her dad. I then thought about a daughter's special attachment to her father and realized that she had her own reasons for wanting this time with him. At almost 18, she was old enough to decide for herself. I also knew that the greatest gift I could give <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/daughter-graduated-high-school-didnt-enroll-college-2024-10">my daughter</a> was the freedom to make her own choices and be her own person.But it wasn't easy. I missed my kid. Parenting her and her older sister had been the center of my focus for 20 years, and I felt unprepared to relinquish a role I loved. Who was I, if not a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/staying-home-kids-suffocating-sent-them-day-care-2024-10">full-time mom</a>? I felt like I was being laid off from the most important job I'd ever done.But I used this transition as an opportunity to find myself.<h2 id="40c9f8db-dabf-4ad7-b64f-1469bcb69df1">My empty nest left me feeling lonely</h2>Being a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/divorced-mom-shared-custody-feel-lonely-raising-kids-online-dating-2024-11">single mom</a> without a life partner to divert my attention and soften the transition made this change even worse. My empty nest felt lonelier, and I felt rudderless, struggling to adapt to life independently for the first time in two decades.I spent a lot of time reading, walking, and sitting with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/3-signs-youre-intellectualizing-your-emotions-instead-of-feeling-them-2024-5">my feelings</a>. I kept thinking: Is this it? Is this all there is to life?As I thought more about my needs and wants for the first time in years, I realized I faced a similar opportunity as my daughter. I, too, had the chance to individuate and figure out who I was separate from being a mom — and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/situationship-dating-trend-young-singles-relationship-status-gen-z-2023-9">being single</a> would make it even easier.A passage in Evelyn S. Bassoff's book "Mothers and Daughters: Loving and Letting Go" really stuck with me."As her child turns toward others and away from her, each woman faces a void, which forces an internal reorganization," Bassoff wrote. "What lies ahead for women is the chance to channel their creative energies in new ways."After a few weeks, I accepted my daughter wasn't going to change her mind and come home, so I started warming up to the idea of being on my own again. For the first time since <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-mom-cut-maternity-leave-short-to-work-felt-guilty">becoming a mom</a>, I could live life on my own terms and do whatever I wanted.<h2 id="1634d805-54cb-4bd4-8ab8-3905f89ad70a">I left my empty nest for good</h2>After 20 years in Seattle, I was ready for a change. As a longtime journalist and communications consultant, I could work remotely, so after much introspection, I decided to give up my apartment, put my stuff in storage, and travel as a full-time <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/couple-save-housing-costs-housesits-for-strangers-2024-10">house sitter</a> and freelance writer.In the year since, I've driven more than 6,000 miles up and down the West Coast — from the vineyards of San Luis Obispo, California, to the rocky coast of San Juan Island, Washington, and 23 towns in between.I've saved thousands in rent while staying in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/some-wealthy-people-trying-to-sell-luxury-homes-are-struggling-2024-5">luxury homes</a> that I could never afford — all in exchange for caring for plants, pets, and gardens.I've also met some fantastic people — writers, weavers, painters, musicians, and artists — many of whom are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/older-americans-regret-retirement-savings-taking-social-security-early-investments-2024-10">retired and aging</a> adventurously while cruising the Caribbean, biking the Olympic mountains, or chasing the path of totality.<h2 id="1cc228e1-821c-4fee-943a-ff38e172ce26">I've rediscovered myself along the way</h2>Relief from the pressure of paying almost $2,500 a month for rent has been great for my <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ballroom-dancing-helped-gen-z-make-friends-work-from-home-2024-10">mental health</a> — allowing me time to write, follow my intuition, and spend time in nature as I travel from one beautiful place to another.It's also positively impacted my relationship with my daughters, who look forward to hearing where mom pops up next.Although I initially felt devastated by my daughter's decision, I ultimately realized that she gave me a gift I wasn't able to give myself: permission to strike out on my own journey of self-discovery.

I'm a single mom who suddenly became an empty nester. I decided to give up my home and travel full-time.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Haitian-rights group is seeking the arrest of Trump and JD Vance over false claims about Haitians.</li><li>The baseless claims led to bomb threats, closures, and event cancellations in Springfield, Ohio.</li></ul>A Haitian-rights group is seeking the arrest of former President <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> and his running mate, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zelenskyy-calls-jd-vance-too-radical-recommends-reading-wwii-history-2024-9">Sen. JD Vance</a>, over them repeating <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ohio-gop-governor-garbage-springfield-pet-eating-claims-must-stop-2024-9">unfounded claims</a> about Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, eating pets.These claims, which local authorities say lack any credible evidence, led to bomb threats, the closures of public buildings, and event cancellations.The Haitian Bridge Alliance <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.chandralaw.com/files/assets/2024-09-24-bench-memo-and-guerline-jozef-of-haitian-bridge-alliance-affidavit-re-trump-vance-and-springfield.pdf">filed an affidavit</a> on Tuesday in Clark County Municipality Court asking the judge to charge Trump and Vance with violating seven Ohio statutes.The affidavit, filed by Guerline Jozef, the cofounder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, accused the two men of violating state statutes, including disrupting public services, making false alarms, telecommunications harassment, and aggravated menacing.It asked that the court find probable cause that criminal charges are warranted for the "violated" statutes because of the "harmful lies repeatedly spewed" by Trump and Vance.During his recent presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump said: "In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people who came in, they are eating the cats. They're eating — they're eating the pets of the people that live there."Trump and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/republican-lawmakers-jd-vance-haitian-springfield-cat-rumors-2024-9">Vance</a> have continued to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jd-vance-springfield-cat-alive-police-report-2024-9">amplify the rumors</a>, which the affidavit said have been repeated at campaign rallies, during television interviews, and on social media."The direct impact on Springfield, Ohio of Trump and Vance's unrelenting lies cannot be overstated," it said.Locals told Business Insider earlier this month that the claims had <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/springfield-ohio-town-center-baseless-trump-pet-eating-claims-tensions-2024-9">created a tense and, some said, dangerous atmosphere</a> in the Ohio town.The affidavit went on to say that Springfield has received bomb threats — at least 33, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/16/springfield-bomb-threats-ohio-republican.html">per Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine</a> — and that, as a consequence, public institutions had been forced to evacuate.Jozef and the Haitian Bridge Alliance, in the affidavit, pushed for a decision "before Trump fulfills his <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-plans-visit-springfield-ohio-gop-mayor-not-keen-haitians-2024-9">threat to visit Springfield — </a>despite Mayor Rob Rue's request that he not do so — so that he may be arrested upon arrival for his criminal acts."Trump and Vance's offices did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

A Haitian-rights group wants Trump and Vance arrested over false claims of pet-eating in Springfield

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I bought a house in Cork, Ireland, but I still <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/living-between-us-and-ireland-biggest-everyday-differences-culture-shock-2024-10">live in the US for part of the year</a>.</li><li>My <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dating-an-irish-person-as-an-american-biggest-differences-2022-8">Irish husband</a> lives in the house full time, and I go back and forth between Atlanta and Cork.</li></ul>Years ago, I had a dream (yes, really) telling me to head to West Cork, Ireland. On that whim, I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-hate-all-inclusive-resorts-first-trip-left-early-2024-9">booked a vacation</a> and ended up meeting folks who've become lifelong friends and feeling more at home than I had in years.Next thing I knew, I met a nice Irishman — who's now my husband — and started looking at houses in the area.I quickly needed to figure out the best way to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/living-in-los-angeles-us-and-athens-greece-biggest-differences-2024-4">live between two continents</a> because, for the foreseeable future at least, I'm still in Atlanta part-time. I'd need time to figure out the logistics of things like filing taxes, getting healthcare, moving my pets, and transitioning my US-based work.The prospect of splitting the year between two countries is exciting, but it's also been a bit overwhelming.<h2 id="d171a943-8daf-479f-a9e5-b5cde61e6764">My living situation is a puzzle that's still coming together</h2>Now that I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cant-afford-buy-house-in-us-invested-europe-vacation-home-2024-3">own a home in Cork</a> and my husband lives there full-time, my life is full of lots of shifting pieces and moving parts.I've had to be really, really particular about which pieces and belongings I want to take to Ireland because <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/family-moved-from-us-to-switzerland-for-life-they-wanted-2024-9">shipping things overseas</a> isn't cheap.Most of my beloved possessions are antiques or family heirlooms, which presents added challenges because I can't just swing down to Dunnes in Cork to purchase a replacement.<div type="image" title="julia posing with a bouquet of goldenrod flowers" height="747" width="996" msid="115312081" hostid="261" sizebytes="157936"></div>On a smaller scale, I've also had to find someone to tend my garden in Atlanta when I'm away — particularly since I have a nosy neighbor who calls in code violations on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-and-worst-backyard-trends-fall-interior-designers-gardeners-2024-10">people's yards</a> for fun.Luckily, my husband does a wonderful job caring for our home in Ireland, which saves me so many headaches. Each time I return, the house is nice, cozy, and well-maintained.<h2 id="fbc90110-1a8a-4721-9bd1-297d51a97aad">My work life is also shifting gears</h2>As a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/self-employment-career-change-multiple-income-sources-advice-2024-6">self-employed food writer</a>, I can pretty much work from anywhere.Once I am in Ireland often enough to be on a visa, I should theoretically have no problem continuing to work as I do now. I'll just have to pay taxes in two places.To prepare, however, I've been shifting how I work a little.Since I'm bouncing between time zones, I've streamlined my <a target="_blank" href="http://rootsandbranches.squarespace.com/">writing coaching</a> work so each group meets at times that work for both Western Europe and the East Coast.Although I used to teach fermentation and other cooking lessons in person, I've moved my culinary classes <a target="_blank" href="http://culinarycuriosityschool.com/">fully online</a>, allowing me to continue to teach and connect with my students wherever I am in the world.I also maintain a separate office/art studio in each country as my own creative sanctuary. Having a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-favorite-work-perk-having-own-desk-to-decorate-2024-7">dedicated creative space</a> helps me produce my best work and keeps me focused.<h2 id="6b170c49-6401-436a-9668-4fb55a0f03e4">Things may be a bit hectic now, but I actually love living between two countries</h2><div type="image" title="irish &quot;failte&quot; welcome mat outside a front door" height="2268" width="3024" msid="115312085" hostid="261" sizebytes="1826318"></div>Life across two continents can be both complicated and exciting. But what makes it really fun is having two wonderful communities of people who love and support me wherever I am.Splitting myself in two isn't always convenient, but I've been very grateful for the opportunity to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-9-5-for-slow-minimalist-life-as-youtuber-2024-10">slowly transition into my new life</a> with my husband.

I bought a house in Cork. My Irish husband lives there full-time, but I'm still going back and forth between the US.

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="23944870" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonya-Moore" source="keywords">Sonya Moore</keyword> decided that if Trump won in 2016, she would leave the US.</li><li>She followed through and has been living abroad for seven years.</li></ul>"If Trump wins this election, I'm <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-reelected-americans-are-planning-to-flee-in-droves-2024-3">moving out of the country</a>." I said those words in November 2016. So did a lot of other Americans: so many, in fact, that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/canadian-immigration-site-crash-election-2016-11">Canada's immigration website crashed</a> as votes were being tallied due to increased traffic. No joke. I don't know how many others <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-who-left-us-because-of-trump-talk-biden-presidency-2020-12">followed through on that declaration</a>, but I did. Trump won the election, and 9 months later, I left the US. Full disclosure: Trump becoming president was not the only reason I left — it was also about being fed up with my corporate job, coupled with a strong desire to explore the world. I was 37, single, with no children or pets, so I was free to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/working-mom-quit-job-expat-move-abroad-qatar-singapore-2023-12">quit my job</a>, uproot myself, and take off. I did own a house at the time, which I sold a few months after I left. Upon my departure, I didn't have much of a plan other than the intention to spend some time slowly exploring Asia and teaching English when I needed to make money. This no-plan thing was out of character for me, but I was very comfortable with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southeast-asia-travel-mistakes-packing-weather-clothing-traditions-medicine-2024-4">solo international travel</a>, thanks to previous study abroad experiences and 14 years of intensive overseas work-related travel. <div type="image" title="Sonya Moore in Siem Reap, Cambodia" height="1280" width="1600" msid="115071450" hostid="261"></div><h2>The move opened a new chapter in my life</h2>As months unfolded, I discovered that when you leave space for it, life guides you to the places, people, and opportunities that are meant for you. Seven years later, I'm still living <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomer-couldnt-afford-retirement-in-california-moved-abroad-travel-happy-2024-10">happily outside the US</a>. While my decision to leave opened up a horizon of experiences beyond my wildest dreams and led me to the man of my dreams, it hasn't all been a bed of roses. The first year, I lived off savings while traveling slowly through Asia. I started my travels in India, where I spent 10 days at a silent meditation retreat, attended teachings by the Dalai Lama, and took a <keyword id="20626363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yoga-teacher-training" source="keywords">yoga teacher training</keyword>. I promptly got hooked on teaching yoga. After four months in India, I continued <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-pack-traveling-in-southeast-asia-singapore-thailand-bali-2023-9">making my way through Asia</a> for eight more months. I swam in the crystal clear waters of the Maldives, visited healers in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-family-kids-bali-decompress-relocate-slow-life-work-remote-2024-10">Bali</a>, witnessed breathtaking sunrise views from mountaintops in Laos, went island-hopped through the Philippines, rode motorbikes around Thailand's islands, and discovered ancient pagodas in Myanmar The cost of living in much of Asia is so low that savings can stretch a long way. I have high standards for my accommodations, and while traveling, I usually spent around $20 to $25 per night on hotels. Lower-maintenance friends of mine found simpler places for $6 per night in India. Meals usually cost around $3. After six weeks in India, I considered a lunch bill of $5 to be expensive. <h2>There have been times along the way when I've felt lost </h2>From time to time, I experienced stretches of feeling <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/relocation-moved-to-milan-living-abroad-emotionally-exhausting-unspoken-truths-2023-9">unsettled and lacking a sense of purpose</a>. Over the years, I learned that those periods of doubt and uncertainty will continue to surface. But I also learned to just keep trusting, and the way forward would eventually reveal itself. People often ask me if I was ever afraid while <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-women-need-to-know-traveling-solo-southeast-asia-tips-2022-12">traveling alone through Asia</a>. I never was — except a couple of times in India when riding on some precariously high Himalayan roads with no guardrails. But of people? I never had a reason to be. After a year away, I found an opportunity to teach yoga in a small mountain town in Myanmar. Life there was quiet, simple, and beautiful. I lived there for 9 months, and I was profoundly happy most of the time. But there were times <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/loneliness-how-to-make-friends-remote-worker-freelancer-new-city-2024-2">I felt lonely</a>. The locals were sweet and kind, with love in their eyes and actions, but I missed friends who spoke my language fluently, with whom I could have deep conversations over a glass of wine. And the dating scene? Nonexistent. <div type="image" title="Sonya Moore kissing a man at the airport" height="2118" width="1754" msid="115071453" hostid="261"></div><h2>I found love during my travels</h2>Another yoga teaching opportunity took me to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Siem Reap is not a big city, but after my small-town Myanmar life, it felt like Manhattan. There were so many restaurants, bars, social events, friends, and even some attractive single men. I fell in love with the town, the quality of life, and the locals. It was easy to get a tourist or work visa to live here long term, and it was almost as inexpensive as India and Myanmar. I was living in Siem Reap when COVID-19 hit. By that time, I was in a <keyword id="20752574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="long-distance-relationship" source="keywords">long-distance relationship</keyword> with a French man I met during my travels. After the closed borders of the pandemic kept us apart for 7 months, I moved to France to be with him. Our story was long and winding, but it felt like destiny. He <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/my-partner-couple-travel-together-full-time-one-date-2024-5">loves global travel</a> like I do. We've been together for four years and are living together in Papua New Guinea. Our plan is to go back to a nomadic slow-travel lifestyle. My career has gradually evolved to encompass creative pursuits that light me up inside: retreats, writing, photography, and yoga. I am deeply grateful to my former self for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/live-abroad-cheap-low-cost-living-high-quality-life-2024-1">choosing to leave the US</a>. I sometimes miss family and friends, but thanks to technology, our connection stays alive across the distance, and I go back to visit once a year. I still love America and feel lucky to have been born and raised there. But there's a big world out there waiting to be discovered. Do you have a personal essay about relocating to Asia that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com">akarplus@businessinsider.com</a>. November 11, 2024 — An earlier version of this story mentioned Trump becoming president was not the reason Moore left, it was not the only reason.

I swore I would leave the US if Trump won the 2016 election. Here's how that worked out for me.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>My husband and I spent over $3,300 to go on a whale-watching expedition in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/all-inclusive-resort-why-worth-it-mexico-hotel-xcaret-arte">Mexico</a>.</li><li>The price of the trip included three meals per day and a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/glamping-below-freezing-temperatures-winter-review-photos-2023">glamping tent</a> with a bed and a shower.</li></ul>I'm a bit of a whale-watching addict. So when I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-sandwich-outfit-trick-get-dressed-faster-better-i-tried-2023-9">saw a TikTok</a> of people hanging over the side of tiny boats to pet a gray whale on the head, I knew I had to find a way to experience it for myself.After doing some research, I learned that the optimal time to visit their protective breeding and calving lagoons in Baja, Mexico, was starting in February, just a few months away.However, the San Ignacio lagoon, which is the epicenter of gray whale activity, is only accessible through licensed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/group-guided-tour-morocco-worth-money-frequent-solo-traveler-2023-10">tour companies</a>. So, my husband and I booked a four-day, three-night glamping trip with Baja Expeditions, a company known for sustainable tourism.Although the experience can cost upwards of $2,500 per person, we were able to score a trip for $1,650 each through a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/volunteer-for-super-bowl-what-its-like-freebies-application-2024">Super Bowl</a> weekend deal.<h2>Our journey started with 2 flights to the San Ignacio Lagoon</h2><div type="image" title="Luggage in a pile outside a small plane. Two men are standing near the plane." height="4284" width="5712" msid="108332903" hostid="261" sizebytes="2262774"></div>We kicked off the trip by flying from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-tech-job-moved-la-freelancer-2022-12">Seattle</a> to Cabo San Lucas, where we headed to the Baja Expeditions offices.When we arrived, a chartered bus shuttled our entire tour group to the San Jose del Cabo International Airport, where we stuffed 14 people into small Cessna planes.For the next two hours, we watched over the pilot's shoulder as he flew the plane. I plastered my face against the window to take in the incredible canyon-filled scenery, marveling at the remote version of Mexico I didn't know existed.When we landed on the shoreline of the San Ignacio Lagoon, a Baja Expeditions employee welcomed us with bubbly.I was surprised to find there was no warm, tropical climate, and was instantly grateful that I followed the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cruise-what-to-pack-and-leave-behind-frequent-traveler-2024-2">packing list</a> provided to us and packed a puffer jacket.It definitely took me a second to adjust to the cold temperatures.<h2>We arrived at our campsite and enjoyed some lunch</h2><div type="image" title="A series of white tents with Adirondack chairs outside in a remote area." height="4284" width="5712" msid="108332904" hostid="261" sizebytes="2907702"></div>After grabbing our bags, we were loaded into SUVs and taken to the glamping grounds, which would serve as our home for the next four days.Inside our tent was a space heater, a tent shower that had water warmer than most hotels I've stayed in, and bed with cozy fleece-lined electric blankets.In the dining tent, we enjoyed a lunch of gourmet Thai-style chicken salads. I was excited at the prospect of all the included breakfast, lunch and dinner meals to come since they were included in the price of the trip.<h2>As we ate, the Baja Expedition guides announced we'd be leaving to see the gray whales soon</h2><div type="image" title="A group of people dressed in pants, boots, and jackets getting on a small boat called &quot;Gray Expectations 1.&quot; " height="4148" width="5531" msid="108332905" hostid="261" sizebytes="1075494"></div>Dressed in warm layers and rain gear, I was given a life preserver, soft-shell jacket, and knee-high rain boots.I struggled to carry a ridiculous amount of photography equipment with me as our guide helped us into a small metal boat, known as a panga.Soon, we were off on a high-speed 30-minute boat ride to the heart of the San Ignacio Lagoon.<div type="image" title="The shadow of people on a small boat in the ocean." height="2308" width="3077" msid="108332907" hostid="261" sizebytes="467220"></div>When we arrived, the boat slowed down, and moments later, we spotted the smooth back of our first gray whale gliding through the water.All six of us shot to our feet, cheering at our first sighting, while the captain and guide smiled at our unfiltered joy.<div type="image" title="A whale and a spray of water in the ocean, with people on a boat off to the side watching." height="4672" width="6229" msid="108332908" hostid="261" sizebytes="870648"></div>Another whale surfaced closer to our boat while we spotted the spout of a gray whale coming up for a deep breath of air on the other side of the panga.I wondered how long this kind of luck could last and dreaded that it would end too soon…until I realized we were surrounded by whales.Two hours later, as our panga floated among these gentle giant gray whales, I sat dazed with joy watching whale after whale surface, spy hop, and breach throughout the lagoon.<h2>I got to have the close encounter of my dreams</h2><div type="image" title="Ten people on a small blue boat looking out at a whale." height="4672" width="6229" msid="108332909" hostid="261" sizebytes="737956"></div>Later, our guide told us to splash the water to capture the whales' attention.I threw myself to the side of the panga while frantically splashing like I might never get this chance again. It worked.Ever so slowly, an enormous dark mass rose toward the surface of the cloudy water. We reached our arms out as the whale paused. She then poked her nose up, resting on the side of the boat.<div type="image" title="Two hands touching a gray whale" height="2160" width="2880" msid="108332910" hostid="261" sizebytes="580616"></div>I reached toward her, carefully avoiding the barnacles on her dark gray skin, and found a patch on her nose to rub gently.I found myself cooing endearments at this massive, smooth whale, who seemed to beg for scratches like a golden retriever.<h2>The trip was something my husband and I will never forget</h2><div type="image" title="People leaning over the edge of a boat to touch a gray whale. One man is taking photos on his phone and another is driving the boat." height="1028" width="1370" msid="108332912" hostid="261" sizebytes="97140"></div>For the remainder of this epic trip, we visited the San Ignacio lagoon six more times and had more close encounters than we could have ever dreamed possible.We even got another chance to look into the eye of a 40-ton whale, just inches away, as we touched her face.As we returned home from Cabo San Lucas, my husband and I agreed that this whale-watching trip could never be topped. We're already making plans to visit these special creatures again soon.

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