All That For… What?

For the past 6 months I have researched, made phone calls, written emails, downloaded countless documents and worried over getting Diego into Denmark. I have been told many different things by many different people and was relieved to find out how you really get a dog into Denmark.

Here is what they tell you...

When coming from the USA, Denmark:

1.     Have your dog vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days prior to travel

2.     Microchip must be done before or on the same day as the initial rabies vaccination

3.     APHIS Form 7001 filled out by a USDA certified vet and endorsed by the USDA

4.     ANNEX II Veterinary certificate to EU filled out by a USDA certified vet and endorsed by the USDA

5.     Non-Commercial transport of five or less dogs, cats, and ferrets (Veterinary certificate to EU) Danish version filled out by a USDA certified vet

6.     Veterinary Certificate for Domestic & International Airline Travel filled out by a USDA certified vet

7.     Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 Veterinary Certificate for the European Community filled out by a USDA certified vet

8.     Same thing as above, but the Danish version filled out by a USDA certified vet

9.     Notify border inspection at least 24 hours before your arrival into Denmark so they can be ready to inspect your dog. You must include your flight number and arrival time.

The cost:

1.     $70.00 for the vet to fill out all the forms (the same information over and over and over again).

2.     $53.00 to overnight papers to the USDA in Austin and to provide a return overnight envelope

3.     $38.00 to have the forms endorsed

The reality:

Book your dog on the flight, pay the $100 one-way fee, arrive in Copenhagen and follow the crowds through the “Nothing to Declare” line.

Have a nice time in Denmark.

Will I do it this way next time? Absolutely not. I’m the person who would get caught. However, I will reuse 4 out of the 6 forms until his rabies vaccination has expired in 2016.

When I finally got the two luggage carts through the rushing crowd and over to the “red line” I had to ring a bell and wait for someone to come out. The young man knew nothing about my arrival (I was expecting someone to be waiting at the baggage claim given the seriousness of the situation which they made it seem like through our email conversations and on their websites) and only checked the rabies vaccination and scanned Diego’s microchip. I forced him to looked at the other certificates and asked what I should do next time. He didn’t quite know. Great.

So, we have been in Denmark for a week and are loving the freedom that dogs have here. Lots of four-legged friends for Diego to sniff, friendly smiles when people catch a glimpse of Diego walking towards them (a great way to meet new people), parks galore and a small dog park near our apartment.

Next steps:

Dog insurance and registration. Apparently the insurance is the law and maybe registering Diego will be a way for me to spend more money on this doggie relocation. Who knows, but I’ll do it to be “safe!”

Resting at the Hotel in Copenhagen

Lasts

We only have 5 more nights in Tunisia and one traveling before we land in Houston June 16^th. 

The packers came on the 1^st so the comforts of home are not here. On the packing day, Diego was not at home. I felt he may get stressed, lost, or bite the ankles of the strange men in the house so he stayed with his friend, Barney.

When Diego came home to see the almost empty house I didn’t think he’d react much. We still have the school furniture, but no knick-knacks, color or art. Then, one evening, as I sat on the sofa, I watched Diego look around like he was trying to figure out where the large painting over the sofa had gone, or the comfy pillows he slept on. He seemed overly tired for a couple days after, but again, I didn’t think much about it until I searched “do dogs get depressed” on Google and found loads of articles pertaining to the subject.

One of the reasons why a dog could be sad, down or depressed is moving. I knew I was doing the right thing by leaving most of his toys, one large pillow he loves to lay on and of course his beloved airline carrier.

We have set up camp in the master bedroom and I feel like I am living in Tokyo again! Diego is as perky as ever and that is because I have maintained his schedule, I’m sure. I still have to go to work so it’s quite easy to do.

                                            "CAMPING" IN THE MASTER BEDROOM

Soon we will be in our other home, a familiar and comfortable place for him and then to a new apartment in Copenhagen. I am worried how he will do there without seeing and playing with Barney every day. Will he meet new friends at the dog parks? Should I hire a (super expensive) dog walker five days a week for the first 3-4 months?

Diego is going to experience, for the first time, “lasts.” He just had his last run with Barney on the beach in Tunisia, he will play in the garden one last time, he will walk in beautiful Carthage for the last time and he will visit the lovely vet and groomer for the last time tomorrow.

It’s the life of an international school teacher, a third culture kid and third culture dog.

I know I am doing the right thing and know he will be fine as long as he has familiar things and smells around him.

Has anyone ever experienced a sad dog? Do you know why your dog was sad? How long did it take him/her to perk up again? 

                                            LAST (AND FIRST) BATH WITH BARNEY

                                                      *FYI: I did not pick out those tiles.

Being Prepared

Today as I was driving Diego to the groomers I was running through my schedule in my head. We will be in Tunisia for another 5 weeks and there is so much to do. Diego will have another appointment for a haircut and a health certificate to travel to Houston on July 13th. That will be a very busy day at work and I need to make sure I am allowed to leave at 3:30 in order to get Diego to his appointment by 4.

It made me think of a time in September when Barney's "mommy" and I had to leave work a bit early in order to get health certificates for the dogs to travel. We had no travel plans, but were in a situation where there was a possibility we would evacuate. We wanted to get those certificates just in case we had to leave at the last minute.

                     

                                  Diego and Barney 
                     waiting for their health certificates

So, I had the certificate and all the other paperwork needed to go to Europe and the USA, but I didn’t know if I could actually get Diego out of Tunisia. What if I was told I couldn’t take my dog on the flight? Because of Diego’s weight (8kgs including his carrier) he only has 2 options to get out of Tunisia by air…. Alitalia or Lufthansa. My anxiety was rising.

One person told us about an experience she had when people had to evacuate via military planes and leave their animals. The next day, there were people who made sure all the animals were put on flights in the hold. Well, Diego cannot ride in the hold due to his breed. Good to know, but that info didn’t calm me down.

The other option would have been to take the car on the ferry to France or Italy. I have never done that and am not sure how far in advance you would have to book. I’m not sure I would even have time to sort that out.

Luckily, we did not have to evacuate and all is well, so I cannot offer any information about the process of evacuating (just being as prepared as one can be)!

Have you ever had to evacuate with an animal or know someone who did? Please share your experiences!

Hotels and Sleepovers

This weekend I went to a local resort with some friends. It is very rare I get to go away for the weekend because I usually do not have anyone to watch Diego. Luckily I have become friends with a woman I work with who has a super cute dog named Barney. Diego stayed with Barney all weekend and had a blast. Sometimes Barney stays with us and I love it! They can be in the yard all day, running around and playing and I can be inside relaxing or getting work done.

We worked very hard to get them to get them to be friends and to a level where they can stay alone together all day. Now, I drop Diego off every morning at Barney’s and pick him up in the afternoon.  I hope when we move to Copenhagen I can find a nice person with a dog and have the same support system.

I also have friends with a young son who loves dogs and it's fun for them to get together for a play date. Diego spent 3 nights with them in May 2012 and had a blast! Pekingese are great breeds for families. They are gentle and kind and just the right size for a toddler. 

This morning at the breakfast bar I ran in to a family I know and their little girl asked where Diego was. I told her that I was not able to bring him to this type of resort because it was against their policy. However, when we stay at the Hilton or the Westin Diego is welcome there as they are pet-friendly hotels.

Diego has only stayed in a hotel for a total of 3 nights. Twice in Frankfurt during a layover and once when we went to New Orleans for one night in August 2012. In Frankfurt we stayed at the Hilton and in NOLA at the Westin. Both pet-friendly hotels and very nice places to stay!

I found these places by looking on Expedia (www.expedia.com) and checking off “pet-friendly” to narrow my search. I know the La Quinta and some Super 8 motels are pet-friendly as well.

Don’t always go by what the website has, though! Once you find a hotel that suits you, call them and ask to speak to the manager. Ask the manager if their hotel is pet-friendly and if there are restrictions (size, breed, etc.). Also, ask about their fees. They can range from $40-$150 per night and some places also ask for a deposit.

The first time I searched for a hotel at the Frankfurt airport I saw that there was the Hilton and the Hilton Garden Inn. I decided I wanted to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn because the price was about $100 less than the Hilton. I called the hotel and the person who answered confirmed that they were a pet-friendly hotel. I hung up and placed my order on Expedia. I got on their website to find the directions and saw the words:

Pets:

Service animals allowed: Yes

Pets allowed: No

I couldn’t believe it! I had just purchased the room and all sales are final on Expedia! I called them again and was told that no, they do not accept pets. I asked to speak with a manager to see if they could change my reservation to the other Hilton (right next door) and they manger said no. I’d have to re-book a room at the Hilton Frankfurt Hotel. That is what I almost did until a friend suggested I call the manager at the Hilton Frankfurt Hotel and see what he/she could do. I called and spoke to a very nice man who told me that he can easily change the reservation and keep the same rate. I was already impressed with the difference in the level of service and excited to stay at the Hilton Frankfurt Hotel. When we arrived the manager greeted us by name. We have stayed there again since and enjoyed it. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone traveling with a dog through Frankfurt. It is pricey, but well worth it because it is attached to the terminal and there are shops and restaurants all around. There is even a small grassy area to take your dog.

While staying in a hotel I place a pee pad and a bowl of water in the bathroom and Diego makes himself at home. For some odd reason he likes to check out bathtubs so that is the first thing he does when we go to a new place. He even hangs out in the bathtubs in our houses in Tunisia and Galveston. He’s not hurting anyone or himself so allow it!

Hilton Frankfurt Hotel:

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/hesse/hilton-frankfurt-airport-FRAHAHI/index.html

The Westin New Orleans Canal Place:

http://www.westinneworleanscanalplace.com/

                             Diego Loves the glass elevator at the Hilton Frankfurt Airport Hotel

                                               Walking in Carthage, Tunisia with Barney

                                                              Beach Bums!

                                          Checking out the view from the Westin in NOLA

                                                                        Sleepover!

                                    Snug as a bug in a rug at the Hilton Frankfurt Airport Hotel

                                                            Checking out the bathtub

                                                           After a long day in NOLA!

Bathtime with Liam!