dollface

We have the option to perhaps move to the 1000 Oaks area but I worry about the effect that being so close to La La land will have on my Tween girls....................

bandrui

No more confusing paperwork. As of Jan 1 2012 the only thing required is rabies shots up to date.

Check out Defra:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/

britwhore

True, it will be easier but the paperwork is still pretty complex.

britwhore

Thousand oaks is a nice area. Bloody hot though!!!! I personally wouldn't want to raise girls here but that's just me. You may have a blast here. The weather IS perfect pretty much every day of the year. Most people think I'm mad for leaving! I really do miss seasons though.

Scout

I did not bring my dog Scout over on the QM2. I flew her over on British Air. I looked into the QM2 but didn't go that route.

I stressed for over a year to bring that sweet baby over to the UK. She was older, blind and diabetic. She came through like a trooper. British Air from Atlanta to Gatwick were great. Thankfully it looks like DEFRA have simplified their regs since we came back. Flying my dog Scout was by far the most stressful part of our move.

Jerseygirl

Thanks for clearing that up. Good to know you have experience of flying your elderly dog back to the UK as it looks like that's the way Doll's dog will have to go.

killerhales

We've shipped dogs in and out of a few places.

I can't say we have shipped an "elderly" dog, but I would simply say, once you get there, and once your dog gets there, however elderly, you will both be very much happier.

Delta did a very good job for us from Atlanta a few years back, but all the airlines and handlers have been very good in our experience.

Flying into Schipol was probably the easiest and we could pick up our dog from the usual passenger terminal with very little delay.

Good luck.

dollface

Thank you. JG yeah, it's looking more and more that if we decide to head home then she will have to fly cargo that will indeed be the biggest stress in my life as for the whole flight I will keep thinking of her, all alone and scared of all the noises etc. She is my baby.

Jerseygirl

I feel for you Doll. We have 2 small dogs and I couldn't put them in the hold. My back up plan would be use an airline that allows small dogs onboard...fly into Paris and then drive to the UK via the Chunnel.

Although by all accounts the whole thing is far more traumatic for the owners than for the pets. The majority of people on here have said their pets have been fine and very happy to see them at the other end.

dollface

I wish she was smaller so she could go in the cabin - but then again from what I can gather can't brings dogs in the cabin if the flights are transatlantic.

Will you go back to UK JG?

Jerseygirl

You fly into the UK with pets in the cabin...they must travel in the hold of the plane but you can fly them into some Euro countries. From there you can travel by road/chunnel into the UK.

I don't know Doll...that's what we are trying to figure out. Our daughter is in Toronto...although we like it there....we can't see ourselves living there forever. England will always be our home...the only place where we will ever feel comfortable. If she was to return to the UK...we'd be off like a shot...but that's not going to happen now...she's marrying a Torontonian next spring.

bandrui

You're right! I could hardly see any difference. Unfotunately I already had all my dog's paperwork done when I was planning on going back this year but now I've delayed I will have to start all over again. Oh well, at least he's microchipped already.

I am really not sure what to do when I get to the other end. Any other singles out there who don't fancy the idea if renting a car and driving on the other side of the road after a long transatlantic flight? Are dogs permitted on public transportation? I can't seem to work out this next step.

mandianna

Ban Im with ya I do not want to do the drive once we arrive in England. My husband will be with me but he will not drive in the UK. So I would need to do the drive to Scotland with my hubby and the dog I can't imagine I would be so tired. Unless I can find another option which I am looking for.

bandrui

It is a bit of a dilemma... and it doesn't stop there. I seriously doubt that the friends & family who have offered a temporary place to stay would extend that to me + dog. And then there is the dilemma of the actual rental seek with dog in tow, let alone finding a place that will take dogs.

Don't get me wrong... I really love my dog and am not thinking about leaving him here but I think it is going to be quite difficult.

margaretmwilson

I was wondering, could you guys not find a hotel that take pets and spend your first night there so you will be fresh to take the long drive the following day. I know my friend takes her two dogs from the North East of England to London on the train a lot so I'm guessing that you can travel with dogs on the train.