A
female
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:I am torn up about my situation. My boyfriend of 3 years who I love has emigrated (12 months now) and I am planning to follow but I have a major hurdle - my dog. He is 6 years old and of course as all dog-lovers will know they are like children to a person. I simply cannot consider what I will be putting him through on a flight in the cargo hold and then a month in quarantine (this is for Australia). My heart cannot stand the thought of leaving him behind but my head is saying he will be happier in the climate of the UK and not going through the stress of it all. My boyfriend was initially annoyed at me saying "he's only a dog for gods sake" and now he is just silent when I mention how difficult the decision is. I feel like I'm faced with an impossible situation. I think its holding me back getting out there. If you love dogs or have had your dog flown over a long distance and have experience of this I would be grateful for your advice or help. Feeling pretty desperate :-(
View related questions:
long distance Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (7 June 2009): If you were that in love with your boyfriend you would not debate it....I think your using your dog as an excuse for the fact you really dont want to go, I had the same thing with my dog and you know what in the end I chose the dog, ending up meeting someone else who loved me and my dog and realized that it is not a choice ever to give up something you love like your child. Love me love my dog!!!
A
male
reader, Beingblack +, writes (25 May 2009):
 Well I am honestly thinking that you need to stay put.
I guess you are not really that keen on your boyfriend.
A dog may have a traumatic flight, and may miss you whilst in quarantine. But it appears that your post says far more about you than about the dog.
If you want the dog to accompany you to Australia, how else will you get it there other than by flight?
After 3 years, I am surprised that your boyfriend has remained patient, while you dither about how to transport your dog.
Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable if the dog went club class?
Check with the airlines, and find out how often the dogs are checked on, let out of the containers, fed etc. Flights to Australia are 20-24 hours? Not too long really!Send the dog first, go see the dog in quarantine when you arrive.
Or, stay in the UK and spend your life wondering what might have been.
Common sense?
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (25 May 2009): I totally understand your feelings...and I have known people like your boyfriend, who just don't get the connection we have/had with our dogs! They are like our childrne...only more loyal!
I would try to consider what the dog, would prefer...never seeing you again (and wondering why) or a months separation and then the happiness and excitement of seeing you again!
I would research pet-travel as much as possible and what you can do to make his trip comfortable!
If you leave him behind...you will regret it!
I left my ex (he had possession of my two dogs) because I truly believed he was going to kill me. I never saw my dogs again. I did see him however and he "claimed" that they ran away. I know that's a lie!!
It has been over two years and I still cry over them...I question my actions constantly...there could've been another way. I could've endured the abuse just a little bit longer...I could've gotten them away from him! I hate that I left them behind! You will feel the same way!
...............................
A
female
reader, allmd  +, writes (25 May 2009):
Hi,
This is a good question. People are always trying to find information about traveling with their pets. I don't have a dog, but I have read some articles about traveling with pets on www.frommers.com. They specialize in budget travel worldwide, and they have a lot of helpful articles from their readers. A very useful site. I would also try your vet, or even the ASPCA.
I am hoping you can find a wonderful way to keep the dog with you, and that he can travel to Australia with you. I will keep both of you in my thoughts.
Good luck.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (25 May 2009): Have you ever tried contacting a pet shipper to ask questions about how a pet animal is transported and what the exact procedures are. 'IPATA' (Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association) is a good place to check out, they have an online website and are associated worldwide with many reputable pet shippers, some in the UK. Even if you weren't to use any of these services, the website could be a wealth of information and may be able to give you the reassurances, you need to make this as a non-traumatic event as possible for your dog. If this dog is 6 years old, I would think your pet is relatively healthy and could make the trip ok.
Any type of huge move like this is tough for anyone, animals and people alike. I know people that have moved 4 pre-school children from Canada to Germany without batting an eyelash. Mind you, the kids weren't put in the cargo hold enroute and weren't required to endure a quarantine period. After, the trip, however, the frazzled Mother was likely wishing they had a special cargo hold just 'for kids'. lol
If you want to be with your man, and you want to take your pet, then you need to accept this may have to be done. It will be an inconvenience for you and especially the dog. But you need to find out a lot of informations and ask a ton of questions to ensure your pet makes the trip as comfortable as possible.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (25 May 2009): http://www.immigrate-to-a-new-life-in-perth.com/importing-pet-australia.html
I have never moved a pet to another country but here is an article about moving a pet to Australia.
It looks like you need to apply for the pet permit over there at least 5 months before you move as the quarantine stations are always full.
The best thing to do would be to speak to your vet about their assesment of your dog and how well it would be able to tolerate the flight over and the quarantine.
I know how hard it would be to leave a dog behind and I would not do it unless I had a family member that would adopt and take care of my dog, or a close friend whom I knew would love the dog. I adopted a dog that was 11 years old from a former customer of mine who were elderly and had to move to nursing care, it was a breed I had owned as a child and I actually gave her to my parents.
It was very stressful for her at first as she did not know my parents and for about a month she repeatedly tried to run away and headed east towards where she came from, however she came from St. Louis and we lived in Springfield, MO....eventually she calmed down and was a very happy dog. She has passed on now, but she was a fine example of a Wired Haired Fox Terrier, which is a pretty nervous breed to begin with. Your dog will form other bonds, but it will suffer some depression and abandonment issues from you leaving it, don't kid yourself, but it all works out as long as they have doting new owners.
It is quite expensive to move a dog to Australia as well.
You just have to weigh up your options and do the best thing for all concerned, but I would not leave my dog behind in a shelter, ever for any reason....I would actually probably give up my relationship if I had to do that, pretty sad, I know.
Good Luck.
...............................
A
female
reader, hannah15 +, writes (25 May 2009):
I think you do have a huge problem on your hands as i am a god lover i could never leave my dog no matter what so if i was you i would take the dog as you would never forgive yourself for giving it away. or give it to a family member thats my advice x hope it helps x
...............................
|
