Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Last Sunday we arrived Manchester airport to drop our 3 Huskies off at the cargo centre stressed to the max worrying if they would be ok and still very emotional after our family and friends threw a leaving BBQ the night before.
We needn't have been stressed at all, all the paperwork was waiting for us and the flight arrangements at both ends for the dogs was brilliant and perfect. Animal Airlines who we used were brilliant and I would strongly recommend them, they were also our cheapest quote!!
We, however managed to turn up 30Kgs over our baggage allowance which cost us big time but our flight with Thomas Cook was great, service was great and we arrived in Calgary tired but eager to collect our dogs.
The procedure for collecting the dogs was ridiculous to say the least, we had to drive to the cargo centre, which due to certain roads being closed, is a 12km drive now, they gave us the paperwork to take back to customs at the airport to have them stamped, pay the duty and then take the stamped paperwork back to the cargo centre but all this paled into insignificance when we saw our babies in their crates behaving like angels.
We then had a 2 and a half hour drive to our new home and they were great. Now 3 days into our new lives things are going great so far apart from our container being delayed until June :frown: The sight of our dogs racing around their huge yard is amazing to us.
Our friends here have borrowed/given us items to help us out, we have met our neighbours who are all Canadian and roughly our age, really friendly and nice and dog people like us which is fantastic.
We now are on the hunt for a cheap reliable SUV we can get the dogs in and the job hunt starts next week but all in all this experience has bettered our expectations and we are thrilled to be here, early days I know but I just wanted to share this with those of you about to move or still planning it.

Best of luck to all :thumbup::thumbup:

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Thanks for that - good to read. The shippers arrive today to pack us and we're heading over on 23 June. Our little jack russell is coming over on 4 July so we won't really settle until he's with us! It was nice to read your post - very reassuring. Thanks! Good luck with your new lives in Canada!

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Really pleased to hear everything was ok, and the dogs were fine, thats the bit i am dreading the most!!!

Good luck

DC x

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Best wishes on your new home and life in Canada.

Also a dog owner, so same worries.

Any chance of a photo of the dogs in their new yard.

(Just don't think there's enough photos on here) ;)

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Glad it all went OK and that the dogs were fine; always a worry bringing pets. Enjoy your new life over here and best of luck with the job search.

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Glad all went well for you and good luck.

We used Air India for our flight across. Similar price, but, 40kg of luggage per person and 5-10 kg hand lug. Rather than the usual 20kay.

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Welcome to Canada. Best of luck with all that you do..:thumbup:

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Congratulations on the move. My hubby and I fly out 3rd June. Only just booked flights this week as just sorted completion date for house next week! Just spent the day calling utility companies etc to cancel everything.

Off to Vancouver from Liverpool UK - don't have a dog, but looking forward to owning one when we get out there.

Good luck one and all on your moves

:thumbup:

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Oh that's lovely to hear :) - I have to confess that I have been worrying lots about our dog making the journey to Calgary, too! Good luck with finding jobs and getting settled.

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Best wishes to all of you in your new life :)

Re: Move done, Dogs ok :)
 

Hi, we worried really badly about our dogs making the trip but we honestly didn't need to have, they were absolutely fine, they've been slightly jetlagged the first couple of days but their body clocks have begun to adapt now and we are no longer receiving unwanting parcels in the house :rofl:
There was one surreal moment when we were boarding in Manchester, we could see our dogs in their crates on the runway waiting to be loaded on board. They crates were all in a big cage on wheels together facing the window where we were boarding and we could swear Maya could see us, she was just sat upright until she looked directly at us through the windows and threw her head back howling, bless her.
Once on board we told the cabin crew we had 3 dogs making the flight and asked if they were on board and she confirmed the Captain had just informed them that they were safely loaded. After we knew this it was a huge relief and we just relaxed totally. At the other end when we picked them up they were great, no wees or poos in their crates (14 hours in total) a little dehydrated but otherwise fine.
If anyine has any questions regarding their dogs flying to Calgary feel free to pm me. Take care guys :thumbup: