Major Trips with Yorkies So my boyfriend and I were planning a huge 3-4 month trip to Europe before we bought Harley (we're in Canada). Well Harley came along pretty quickly, and now my boyfriend and I are torn on what to do. YTers I need help! He still wants to do the huge trip because of his fear of flying, he plans on boating over (ick)... But I don't know where Harley would be allowed to come with us. I've heard that there are really strict quarenteen rules in certain countries. I in no way would board my baby for 3-4 months so either he comes with or I don't go... He suggested that he goes without me and I just fly up for a week here or there, in that case I could board Harley, or bring him with. Please help me find information on how this could work. Thanks in advanced. For the record, bf is a sweetheart and a good guy, he was the one who bought me Harley when I was really in need of a furbaby. He just really has his heart set on this huge Europe trip, blah. I wish he could just agree to fix his fear of flying (I know not as easy as it sounds) and then fly to Europe in a few trips rather than one. |
Is there anyone who can keep Harley for you while you take this trip with your boyfriend? A family member or friend? Maybe someone on YT could foster him for you with a written agreement for that time. I know we all love our dogs but you really should put your boyfriend first here. Imagine how you would feel if the shoe were on the other foot and he said if the dog can't go I won't go with you. There may be quarantine periods even if you fly Harley to Europe. Would he be able to fly in cabin with you? |
Being from Germany I researched the possibilities to take a dog to Europe. Generally you can visit every country besides Great Britain, Ireland and Malta. For all others you need a health certificate and a rabies vaccination at least 6 months old. Puppies before 6 months of age don't need any. Going on a ship is difficult b/c only the Queen Elisabeth takes dogs and then they have to stay in a seperate area and you can visit them during the day. So... if you pay me for the trip I could fly with Harley and you could go per ship with your bf... how does that sound??? ;) |
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I really want to do this trip to, but I can't think of any options I'd be comfortable with. I think 2 weeks could be the longest I could board/leave with a friend without having a nervous breakdown myself. (we bought Harley to help reduce my anxiety, which is why he was bought before considering this trip). I'm game for bring Harley with us and only going to countries that he's allowed in (I would also have to coordinate whether he can be in the cabin, cargo not an option). But he thinks this would be a large hassel. What I'd like to hear from people (especially for those from the UK), what does everyone know about traveling overseas with dogs? I'm in a tight place. Don't really know what to do. I think I have at least 8 months to plan this and figure this all out. HELP Thanks in advance |
more... I think the Queen Elisabeth II goes via Lisbon where you could go from board and rent a car for your trip through Europe. There are no borders anymore for the countries of the European Union like Portugal, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium etc. If you like to go to Poland, Tschechia, Turkey or Slovenia you need your passport and the health certificate but you can take your dog with you. If you fly you have to book early b/c only one or two dogs per flight are allowed in the cabin. Harley would have to be in a carrier that is approved by the airline and he has to stay in there for the whole flight. Sometimes the Flight Attentants close an eye and he can sit on your lab. |
All I have to say is don't miss out on visiting Europe, and travel back and forth every couple of weeks would get exhausing (8-10 hour flights awful, I did two 12 hour flights within a 3 week period and it took me weeks to be right again) and would wreak havoc on your body. Coordinate with your vet and see what kind of options you have for international travel. You may need to get a pet passport (which isn't difficult) and get a vet examination w/health certificate just before your trip and when you're about to leave Europe. I would opt for flying instead of using the boat, that is a long trip. Which countries are you trying to go through? Which stop would be your first? That will be the country that you need to learn all the rules/regualtions for first, the rest as long as you stay in the EU you should be good with the pet passport (many countries now require that you have one) and Switzerland still has border checks from time to time. If you start off in Rome the process of picking your pet up can be rough (if flown cargo) Otherwise you just need to present your health certifications and passport when going through customs. |
[QUOTE=Mitzis Mom;3242534 So... if you pay me for the trip I could fly with Harley and you could go per ship with your bf... how does that sound??? ;)[/QUOTE] Bahahhahaha... that made my day... |
Wow thanks everyone this is a good start... it sucks that Ireland and UK are out, but oh well... I have no clue where he wants to go. I've put my request for Germany and Italy, and of course Paris. I figure we'd start somewhere that the boat comes in. I'm not 100% if I even want to take a boat across. I think the idea of a cruise, but I'm more of a mediteranian or caribbean cruise, the Atlantic scares me. I'm excited that this is actually doable. So here are my next questions... who do I call for more information on animal travel is it the boarder, a travel agent, etc? Does anyone know if major attractions are dog friendly, I guess there may be times when he has to stay in, but I feel much better having him with me, besides he really is part of my family. My other question is, is it safe for him to stay in the hotel if we have to go somewhere not dog friendly? Or is there a risk of him being stolen. (I don't know if this is a silly or legit question because I don't think you'd have to worry in Canada, or at least not if you were in a 4-5 star hotel. Thanks. |
Anywhere in Italy I know for sure you want a pet friendly hotel if you plan to leave them in. I've been to a few hotels here that either didn't have a "do not enter" door card or the maids would completely ignore it if I did put it up. I think Spain was the same thing they ignored the sign and still came in to clean. Nothing was missing, but I was annoyed they came into my room when I requested they did not. It all depends on where you are at, but stay in pet friendly hotels, since you would have to leave him alone when you go to dinner, or even site seeing. Most of the best places to see in Italy are the churches, and bringing a dog in there would be incredibly inappropriate. They won't even let you in if your shoulders are exposed. I would start by talking to your vet about traveling, if they do not know do an internet search for travel offices in your area and see if they have good insite for you. Here is a link to start you out: Taking Your Pet to Europe - Are You Sure? Pet Travel |
[QUOTE=Deuce;3243263]Anywhere in Italy I know for sure you want a pet friendly hotel if you plan to leave them in. I've been to a few hotels here that either didn't have a "do not enter" door card or the maids would completely ignore it if I did put it up. I think Spain was the same thing they ignored the sign and still came in to clean. Nothing was missing, but I was annoyed they came into my room when I requested they did not. It all depends on where you are at, but stay in pet friendly hotels, since you would have to leave him alone when you go to dinner, or even site seeing. Most of the best places to see in Italy are the churches, and bringing a dog in there would be incredibly inappropriate. They won't even let you in if your shoulders are exposed. I would start by talking to your vet about traveling, if they do not know do an internet search for travel offices in your area and see if they have good insite for you. Here is a link to start you out: Taking Your Pet to Europe - Are You Sure? Pet Travel[/QUOTE I would also train my dog to travel in my purse. They make specialty purses/dog carriers. You'd hardly know your pooch is in there. This way I've taken Razz into restaurants etc. Also if you do have to leave him in the hotel room you have a easy crating solution. ] |
Yes we already have a purse, that's actually my approved airline carrier too, it's perfect for his size, gives him a little extra room ,and he LOVES IT. Since we bought it, he now has a habit of jumping into peoples bags when they are at my house... it's priceless. |
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If you leave your dog in the hotelroom put the 'do not disturbe' sign out and let the concierge know that your dog is in the room and you don't want anybody to enter. It helps to have a travel pen for babies with you so you can be sure that he is secured in there if anybody opens the door by accident. |
Great thread! We want to go back to Germany next summer to visit my family etc and of course I want to bring Merlin as well. But I don't want him in the cargo compartment; so it's a big help to know that I could bring him in the cabin if I book early enough. Does it matter with which air line you book? To the OP; I would just fly over and meet your boyfriend there. Going back and forth might be rather exhausting (jetlag) and expensive. Get your trip planned so you know which countries your boyfriend wants to visit. Ireland and Great Britain are really nice but if you can't go there because of Harley I'm sure you can visit somewhere else your man is not interested in. Hopefully everything will work out for you. |
Thanks, this is a great start. If Harley comes I have a perfect collapsable baby gate, that would actually fit in my suitcase, when we travel I always gate Harley in the bathroom, when we're not supervising him. I'm really getting excited for this. I just hope I can convince the bf that its a good idea. Keep the tips coming, I don't even know when he's planning this trip. He doesn't graduate until may and I might graduate next october, so I'm assuming maybe after that, no clue. |
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