Most people who have tried to travel with their dog know that it is a huge job. Not only finding places where the dog can stay, but also the paperwork itself is heavy. And now I'm not talking about taking the dog to Langeland for a week's vacation, but about major flights that involve special vaccinations, a local veterinarian and quarantine.
We have known for a while that we would be traveling to New Zealand for a longer period. We live permanently in the USA. At first it was for a whole year, and we therefore started planning how the dog would come with us. She got her rabies vaccines etc. Because the dog had to come with us otherwise no one would travel, because who can be without their dog for that long? And how could Abby, who is so attached to her family, just stay home?
But it turned out to be more complicated than just difficult. It is actually extremely difficult to take your dog to New Zealand due to the fear of rabies and other diseases that do not exist there. There are very complicated rules that must be followed to the letter, where most things can only be done at the last minute with the risk that the samples will not be analyzed before departure. And they are very strict about everything. On top of this, you are forced to use special companies that take care of "shipping" dogs, otherwise you cannot bring your dog with you, as it is a flight that is longer than 22 hours. Finally, there are the costs. I was about to fall into a black hole when I found out that it costs about. 9000 dollars. AND then you also have to go home again. So about 100,000 kroner to take your dog with you. It is outrageous. I did a little research and quickly found out that people don't just bring their dog to NZ unless they are settling permanently – understandable given the above knowledge.
But it was a huge expense. Because can you even leave without your dog? It's heartbreaking, especially when you have a dog that is deeply attached to you. But on the other hand, it would be torture for the dog to have to go on a marathon flight for a whole day. Incomprehensibly stressful. During the flight, the dog stays in its cage and of course cannot be walked.
The 10 day quarantine in NZ itself is horrible. It will stress Abby out to be in a completely foreign place – but it may stress the dog even more if you come and visit her regularly during the quarantine and leave her again. And then go through the whole trip again 6-8 months later.
NO. The decision has been made, even though it is a terribly hard decision. Abby is staying at home with a vet who has 2 small dogs herself. She has been there before, and I know it will be fine. Abby will wait and wait and wait for me at first, and it hurts to think about it. But then she will adapt as dogs do best.
But it will be terribly hard – and I will count down every single day of the months I will be away from my dog – until the day we can be reunited again.
Traveling around the world with the dog
Most people who have tried to travel with their dog know that it is a huge job. Not only finding places where the dog can stay, but also the paperwork itself is heavy. And now I'm not talking about taking the dog to Langeland for a week's vacation, but about major flights that involve special vaccinations, a local veterinarian and quarantine.
We have known for a while that we would be traveling to New Zealand for a longer period. We live permanently in the USA. At first it was for a whole year, and we therefore started planning how the dog would come with us. She got her rabies vaccines etc. Because the dog had to come with us otherwise no one would travel, because who can be without their dog for that long? And how could Abby, who is so attached to her family, just stay home?
But it turned out to be more complicated than just difficult. It is actually extremely difficult to take your dog to New Zealand due to the fear of rabies and other diseases that do not exist there. There are very complicated rules that must be followed to the letter, where most things can only be done at the last minute with the risk that the samples will not be analyzed before departure. And they are very strict about everything. On top of this, you are forced to use special companies that take care of "shipping" dogs, otherwise you cannot bring your dog with you, as it is a flight that is longer than 22 hours. Finally, there are the costs. I was about to fall into a black hole when I found out that it costs about. 9000 dollars. AND then you also have to go home again. So about 100,000 kroner to take your dog with you. It is outrageous. I did a little research and quickly found out that people don't just bring their dog to NZ unless they are settling permanently – understandable given the above knowledge.
But it was a huge expense. Because can you even leave without your dog? It's heartbreaking, especially when you have a dog that is deeply attached to you. But on the other hand, it would be torture for the dog to have to go on a marathon flight for a whole day. Incomprehensibly stressful. During the flight, the dog stays in its cage and of course cannot be walked.
The 10 day quarantine in NZ itself is horrible. It will stress Abby out to be in a completely foreign place – but it may stress the dog even more if you come and visit her regularly during the quarantine and leave her again. And then go through the whole trip again 6-8 months later.
NO. The decision has been made, even though it is a terribly hard decision. Abby is staying at home with a vet who has 2 small dogs herself. She has been there before, and I know it will be fine. Abby will wait and wait and wait for me at first, and it hurts to think about it. But then she will adapt as dogs do best.
But it will be terribly hard – and I will count down every single day of the months I will be away from my dog – until the day we can be reunited again.