Originally Posted by Esme (Post 6502554)

I discussed tranquilising them with my vet who recommended I didn't: No animal died of fright he said but they dertainly have died from complications surrounding medication and as there would be noone in the hold to see if something went wrong I had to accept this. I kept them with me until 1 hour before the flight and they were fine in their crates hanging out in Manchester Airport. When I picked them up in Toronto the pair of them were FRANTIC and PEarson International didn't have a trolley large enough to put both crates on so I had to put the two crates on the trolley sideways with only the middle of the crates supported. The dogs were flying around the crates and kept tipping them off which stressed me out even more. They either drank all the water they were given during the flight or they didn't get any water coz their bowls were bone dry. A nice chap gave me a bottle of water because the airport authorities wouldn't let me go get some until I'd cleared customs. Once we did clear customs and I was able to get the dogs out they were fine. They were both still rapid breathing somewhat that evening but after a night's sleep you wouldn't know they'd been through an ordeal. Plus they were really happy when I got them out of the crates even for 10 mins (had to go back in as we were taxiing down to Niagara Falls). I think it may have been less stressful if there were two of me. I forgot to mention that I was getting my baggage from the carousel when I saw 2 airport guys bring the crates out and dump them in the middle of a packed terminal without handing them over to me.... nice, huh? The people in Manchester were waaaaaaaay more supportive!

Originally Posted by Coffeepot (Post 6502587)

No wonder you were stressed out, the more i hear about taking the dogs the more i think we should put them with a company that can deal with it and be there to collect them a day or so after we arrive,

So glad they settled ok, Thanks Esme