[veronica]

We have started the ball rolling for bringing the dogs over from the UK. They are both large so its not cheap. We are in NZ and are having to leave all of the tests, samples collecting, vets visits to our daughter who is in the family home in Essex. before Pete and I left for NZ Kerry and I went to the Vet and had a good chat with him so we all knew what was going on. Now the house has a buyer and we are in a position to receive the dogs here we have started the procedures. As I said Kerry has got the wonderful job of collecting samples and taking the dogs to the Vets for blood tests. We are bringing them out with Ladyhaye at Heathrow, out of 3 or 4 places that I applied to they are the only ones who bothered to reply. They have given Kerry the schedule to follow and booked the flight etc. The arrangements at present are for Kerry to drive round to pick up the travel crates a few days before to get them used to them and to get them smelling of home and she will take them to the airport to catch the flight and meet the ladyhayes/customs or whatever there.

We have at this end been contacted by the MAF who have given us a list of times and procedures for picking the dogs up. I really feel bad about putting them through the journey as I know it will be hard for them, but it is after all just a short time in the big scheme of things. We will let people know how things progress as it happens.

[drumminj]

Yes, please do keep us updated. I will be brining my dog over when I move - probably September of 2005. I know what all is involved - cost (ouch!), tests, transport, etc. I know the process will be somewhat different coming from the UK, but still would like to hear about how well things go.

I plan on hiring a pet transport company to handle most of the details. Figured that's the safest bet. Unfortunatley, they charge $400 for their service (on top of the cost of everything). On the whole, it's going to cost $3500 USD. Ugh.

J

[veronica]

OK. right all the fees and fares have been paid, the dogs have had the necessary blood and fecal test, the flea stuffs etc and they are now on the way. received this from our daughter who is dealing with the UK side of things for us.
Kerry says:
hello. dogs are there. they went in the box at 1.30 we tryed to stay longer but that was when the vet was there to seal the boxes. they have not had 2nd tablet today as vet advised against it on empty stomach. they will be in plane raeady to take off in 7 mins!!! the collor/harness and leads are strapped to the boxes as is the remaining rymydol tablets.
Kerry says:
they were walked and fed b4 9 this morning.
Kerry says:
both did their business on walk so hope they can wait till they get to you. i have put puppy pad in boxes then lots of newspaper then a vet bed each. vet bed was very expensive but its soft and does not hold moisture (vet recommended it) they get checked once in LA, were water if filled. there are 5 dogs on flight they met one of them.

Kerry says:
x

So now I am sitting here feeling terribly worried about their feelings, they must feel that Kerry has deserted them and can't wait to get them from the airport tomorrow morning. they arrive in Auckland on the 5.15 am flight but wont get to chch before 10.20am. we have been advised to get there to pick them up for 11 but I think we will be there before that. even if we have to wait. Raeven give them a wave for us.
I will post tomorrow with more info about procedures and how they are.

[Carol]

Bet you are looking forward to a very sloppy re-union Veronica!!!

:yes

Carol

[veronica]

Just shows how bad I feel, managed to post it twice and couldn't concentrate on reading the other posts properly on the forum, Douglas, how do I take the duplicate post off please.

[Raeven]

Hi, veronica,

I will wave like mad!!! If we keep having these annoying earthquakes, I'll be jumping on the plane with them!!

Hang in there, sis, it will all be a distant memory for them and for you soon!!!

With wishes for uneventful doggie journeys, Rae

[blue]

Hi hope it all goes ok for you. I am also dreading the time when i take my three to golden arrow. The vetbeds sound like a good idea could you be so kind as to send some details of where you got them etc? all the best and give them a hug from me when they arrive.

[blue]

Hi hope it all goes ok for you. I am also dreading the time when i take my three to golden arrow. The vetbeds sound like a good idea could you be so kind as to send some details of where you got them etc? all the best and give them a hug from me when they arrive.

[veronica]

Soon as I can get the info from Kerry I will. She has been a star about all this as the dogs are her family too.

[Douglas]

Just shows how bad I feel, managed to post it twice and couldn't concentrate on reading the other posts properly on the forum, Douglas, how do I take the duplicate post off please.

Done :nice1 - now Veronica, please, please tell me where you can get Galaxy chocolate. :hopeso :laugh

[Raeven]

ROFL, Veronica,

Douglas has been so good and so patient, has deleted your duplicate post and even restored the banana... really, you must put him out of his misery re the Galaxy chocolate!!! The suspense is killing me!!!

Is there anything else you want from him before you give it up?

:exit

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! - Rae

[Dave & Sandra]

My cat, Moxie, is no worse for his travelling experience. It's keeping him in for the 30 days that is proving difficult - poor little mite. He can see and hear and smell all of these exciting new things and can't get at them :no

Dave said when he arrived he peed for ever and then ate 2 pouches of cat food. He normally manages half when he's fed. He was purring when Dave eventually let him out and he recognised Dave's voice and stopped yowling.

I felt heartbroken when I left him at Golden Arrow - he was full stretch up to the wire of his run staring after me as if to say 'Why are you leaving me here?' Golden Arrow make the cages that the animals travel in and it was really sturdy with his name and our name and the destination stencilled on them. The water pot is a small food can screwed to the cage with a funnel for putting the water in and they have put newspaper, then an old towel and then shredded up newspaper in the cage. Wire mesh at one end so that they can see whats going on and big air holes down either side. Also they gave me his collar to keep so that he wouldn't get caught up on the wire mesh with it. GA were brilliant and everything went very smoothly (apart from my post 'My cat problem', which you may have seen.) The only thing I had to do was collect his 2 faecal samples and send them off and then deliver him to GA three nights before he left. They dealt with everything else.

Cost GBP832 and worth every penny. I would have hated to leave him behind. He's only 2 so I'm sure he coped OK with everything.

[Douglas]

No reply from Veronica yet Rae, I think she must be holding out for a major concession. :laugh

Maybe I should just PM her but.......maybe it's more fun this way. :angel

Veronica - pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaase tell us where you get the Galaxy chocolate. <<on bended knees emoticon>> :laugh

[veronica]

dogs first chocolate second.

We have picked them up and both seem ok. We did do things the wrong way round as when we had a phone call a month ago The guy we spoke to gave us the consignment no. and told us to go to customs to get them cleared. We went to the airport 1st and were told to go to customs house in orchard road. (this is obviously the procedure for Chch, can't answer for Auckland). the Lady we saw there very kindly managed to poduce the documents we needed from our meagre information but told us we should have gone to the freight people first really and got the paperwork.
We then went to air NZ cargo which was just round the block from there and after a lot of computoring and paying $22.50 he took us through to get the dogs. They are very different characters. the older clever one heard us straight away and was whining to get to us and the little one (well he is a rottweiler cross) was so scared that he growled at us and huddled in the back of the cage. Pete sat and fussed him and talked to him for a few minutes till he regained his composure and by that time I had got the other one harnessed up and on a lead. That gave chip a boost of confidence and he decided it was safe enough to get out of the cage. Chip has had both back knees replaced in the last couple of years and he was a bit stiff but he is moving freely now (1 1/2 hours later)
They were both terribley thirsty and drank over half of a bucket of water between them. (which chip promptly threw up, they have definately arrived) If I did it again I would give them a cupful at a time instead of letting them drink their fill. They have had a run round the yard, small bowl of food and have now decided that as I am being boring its time to go to sleep. I am very relieved and have been so nervous about it all that I have felt mildly sick since they got on the plane in the UK.

Umm I think thats all, will let you know how they are tomorrow.

[Raeven]

Hi, Veronica,

I'm delighted to hear the poochy family members arrived in reasonably good shape and none the worse for wear. I know how relieved you must be. Good advice on giving water and food in small doses.

Douglas, I have begun to despair for you. I think Veronica is having her fun!!! :mrgreen:

(And you're right; this is much more fun!!!)

:raebanana Rae

[veronica]

OK we had a reasonable evening with two jet lagged canines, in all between us picking them up at noon and 9 pm they drank over a bucket of water between them. all went to bed early, having had 4 months off dog duty it was a shock to be woken at 4am by two wet cold dog noses in my face. then they both started the tea time act. Small uffs and very hopeful looks from one and subdued whines and very plaintiff looks from the other. I gave up at 5 and fed them breakfast sized portion. We have always fed them about 5 pm uk time and I had forgotten they were going to be on stomache time.

[veronica]

you know I keep thinking there was something I was going to tell you guys........

[veronica]

Well apart from a little confusion about meal times they have both settled in, Chippie is a bit unhappy in the car but considering the last few times he was in the car in the UK it was to go to the vets for blood tests or to the airport and that he probly equated the plane with a car it's not surprising. The older one Brin who we were most worried about has taken it all in his stride and is great. Our eldest daughter who, although she lives in Auckland, was in the UK with them for most of the summer arrived here yesterday for a visit and both of the dogs were really pleased to see her and this has I think helped them think of this as the 'pack centre'. Just got to get the other daughter here when she is ready and it will be. To the dogs, plane journey apart they have just moved, whats the big deal.

On the subject of Galaxy chocolate. Johnsons Grocery in Colombo Street, Chch. they don't post out but if you like (and are desparate) I will buy some and post it out. Its the 1st time in 20 years he has managed to get it and only has a few cases so be quick.

[mechidna]

I know this has probably already been covered somewhere, but how do you arrange all of this. I think it will be much worse for mine poor dog, coming from the middle of the US. I have already had her chipped and she gets shots almost as regularly as my daughter. I've also been told that I don't even get to see her until she gets to the quarantine facility. That will be tough. Do they have any yet in the Waikato region. The only ones I really know about are in Auckland and Wellington.

I don't suppose anyone knows if NZ is adopting the PETS policy?

[Moorf]

Veronica - we've been looking at getting a dog.. or possibly two.

However, I note from the Chch pound info that you have to have a certain amount of outside space and a special permit is needed to have two dogs... did you have to deal with this?

Moorf

[Karen and Rich Matthews]

Hi guys,

We're looking into transporting our "boys" (urm, the cats Bhuna and Biryani :roll: ) to Wellie, and have been told we don't need pet passports, which should make the process a little quicker (apparently that process can take upto 6 months). They'll still need their various injections and bill of health, but as they're only two, they should be fit to travel hopefully.

We're not thinking about going till Aug 2005 so it leaves us plenty of time, but I was a little worried on how they'd cope with the long haul journey.

Thanks for the tips Veronica :nice1

Rich

[veronica]

Hi Moorf, yep if you have more than one dog you have to register and get checked out by the council. The guy just went and had a look around the property (we weren't there at the time) checked it was fenced and that people had access to the front door without the dogs. Then he rang us up and asked questions like how often did we clear up after them, where did they sleep etc and that was that. Common sense stuff. as to the amount of garden, can't help for sure on that, surely that would depend on the size of the dogs and how often they are exercised.

Karen and Rich, with the animals the difference between the pets passport scheme and the export/import licence is the rabies shot. What that comes down to is you can bring them into NZ but if you want to take them back into the UK they will have to have their rabies shots bdfore that happens.

Mechidna. there is a lot of info on the web, but for us as we were already in NZ the easiest way was to go with a pet freight company. It took a lot of the responsibility off our daughter who handled the UK end for us. Luckily they didn't have to have quarantine coming from the UK as I think our youngest one would have found that very hard.

[foolsgold99]

We got a quote for taking our Collie Lucky to Auckland, cost is £1563. But this does not include getting medical tests done before hand.

This was from a company called Animal Airlines.

Has anyone used them or spoken to them ??

Alan & Sally

[veronica]

that seems a reasonable quote, can't comment on the company though.

If you look at the monetry value of the dog (ours: a stray and a free to a good home) it seems ridiculous to spend out this sort of money. But I can't evaluate the feeling of having our two dogs here with us. To watch old arthritic Brin run on the beach so happily and to see Chippie investigate every smell there and have the occasional loopy run around, ears flapping and grinning like a dolphin is immeasurable to me.

[foolsgold99]

yeah, I know exactly what you mean, we got our dog from a rescue centre, he a 8 year old mongrel collie, when you look at it in harsh cash terms paying several grand to ship him to NZ is madness.

But he's family now, and we could leave him behind without knowing that he'd be going to a good home. So I sell my car and use the cash to cover his shipping costs.

[veronica]

just a foot note to this. Brin, having been a really healthy dog died of acute kidney failure a couple of weeks ago. he was ill for 5 days and up til the day before had been walking on the beach and loving it. Do I regret spending the money bringing him over for the 17 months he was here....not a penny of it. We still have Chippie but at the moment he is like a little shadow of himself. I hadn't fully realised how much dogs grieve, he is one sad puppy.

[jubjub]

Really sorry to hear that Veronica, you must be gutted. Poor Chippie, his best mate suddenly gone.

Hugs

[willsken]

Veronica, I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. It's very hard for a while when they go. I glad you feel the money to take him was well spent - I'd feel the same way. Maybe what the young dog needs is a new playmate - though a bit soon yet maybe?

[Smiler]

For Veronica and Chippie

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c75/smiler127/emoticons/smileyhug.gif

[Debbie]

So sorry to hear of your loss
Debbie

[zardell]

So sorry to hear about Brin.

Alex, my old boxer, died last year of kidney failure. Dinah, my bitch had never spent a day without him. She still misses him and so do I.

Know just how you must be feeling, Veronica.

Love,

Julie

xx

PS.
This piccy was taken on Christmay Day 2004 on the field behind our house.

[veronica]

Thanks for the 'hugs' etc. Brin was a dog with a huge personality so there is a big gap.
Chippie is 'having therapy' by being taken with one or the other of us whereever we go and the people next door, who are great neighbours, have had him into play with their dogs. how daft are we. he is still a bit of a lost soul though

[veronica]

ok further footnote on here. We left chippie as an only dog for 2 months and then in late may started looking for a free to a good home puppy or rescue one. after about 2 days karen (curtis) emailed to say there were some advertised in her local paper in Darfield. Pete, me and Chippie drove over to a farm over hororata !!way and came home with an 8 week old, very smelly (been kept in the disused pigstye with 7 brothers and sisters) , plump, labradorX huntaway pup.
Chippie accepted him as a playmate straight away and after a week as a sleeping companion (provided he didn't encroach on his space). after a few more weeks they just curled up as a ball of 'dog'. He is a much happier dog and the puppy is now 4 1/2 moths old and as big as chip and still growing. he has a very happy and affectionate personality and is quite bright and once he gets the 'teenage' rambunctiousness out of his system looks like being a good pet. Just HUGE, still got feet like dinner plates or as the vet put it, hmm he looks like his feet would make good snowshoes.

[Leachie]

Veronica,

I'm gald everything has worked out for 'Chippie', have just read the link from start to finish and shed a tear or two, we are planning to bring our Miniture Schnauzer with us.

Unless you've had dogs don't think people realise how much unconditional love they bring and how much heartache they leave when thier gone, no amount of money could replace that.

Good luck with the puppie training, plently of news paper on the floor. :laugh

[veronica]

seeing as we run and live in a Backpackers newspaper on the floor wasn't an option, we have had to just watch like a hawk and the first sign of sniffing the floor the poor little mite was scooped up and shoved in the garden. has been interesting I can tell you. still think we are past that worst of that now and getting to the hooligan stage.

[Leachie]

Oh I fully understand where you're coming from. Our puppy was only seven inches high and he managed to tear up two kithchen floors and the wallpaper off the walls.

Our first dog Max, an Alsaian Collie X, eat his way through a pine kitchen table, welsh dresser and my drill cable. We tried everything from mustard to pepper. In the end we had to buy a mussel for him to wear when we went out.

[veronica]

hiya, just went back to this thread a almost a year down the line. Flash, the 'puppy' has ended up huge. he is very cute and although bigger than Chippie by 10 kg chippie still has the upper hand when it counts. Chip still doesn't like being the top dog though and finds it a big responsibility.

An interesting footnote in that everyone who has visited that chippie knew in the UK he has gone loopy when he has seen them. Wiith the exception of my daughter and her partner (and one other) who visited at Christmas and they are the ones who put him in the box and took him to the airport.

He obviously remembered what had happened and thought they were going to do it to him again for the first day as he wouldn't look at them or acknowlege them at all. Not until the next morning when he sneaked into their room and crept up onto the bed. The other person he was worried about was Kerrys friend Kay who had been round our house a lot while Kerry was packing up the house for us. She got the same treatment to a lesser degree when she visited a few weeks back. So they obviously have different reactions to these things. Brin was a lot older but he had been fine, he took everything in his stride and not a day goes by without we miss him.