Hello everyone! My Name is WO Schriner and I was posted to CFSU(E) Europe last APS. I would like to share my experience with my move over as a single member and my dog Homer. The process started when I received confirmation I was posted to the medical clinic, and the questions started, HHT, travel over, and how to get Homer over there as he has never flown before.
As the date got closer for the HHT approached I received notice that I would be sponsored by a member who experienced the same situations. That was a relief. Upon arrival in Germany for the HHT, my sponsor showed me around and acquired the addresses for the vet, kennels, and pet food places he used, which helped answer some questions. As well talking with others the options to either fly or take the Queen Mary 2 over, I investigated both options.
1. Flying was the hard part as not all airlines would accommodate pets during certain times of the year due to heat (which was completely understandable) and Homer was too big to go into the cabin with me.
2. The Queen Mary 2. Upon looking into this, I found that the kennels on board are booked up to 2 years in advance so that left me with a decision to make and after some research on line I found a pet transport company who did an amazing job. They provided the guidance and paper work necessary in order for Homer to make the trip. There was a cost to this adventure for Homer but to have him here I chose to make the agreement. It was very comforting to know he was in good hands.
I chose the Queen Mary 2 and in doing so I spent more time in Canada. It was easier for Homer to have me there as he does not do well staying alone in a hotel and could become very loud, I would rather deal with hotels in Canada and any noise than to get stressed in Europe with language barriers. After I arrived here there would be no issues as there are so many people who would have opened their homes to Homer and I while we waited for our furniture to arrive 6 week after they packed us in Canada.
My parents picked up Homer the day before I left to fly to NY and board the QM2, and he was spoiled rotten by them. They did not want to let him go. The company kept in contact with them and a few days before he was to depart Comox, they shipped his crate so he could acclimatize and get used to the size for his amazing journey home. On the day he departed my parents got him to the airport and he was met by the team and he flew to Vancouver where he stayed the night and got some water, food and a walk.
On departure day, Homer boarded the Lufthansa air pet transport plane and started his flight over. All this time I received photos of Homer all through his journey until he arrived in Frankfurt airport at the pet lounge. I arrived and was given the process to clear him through customs and the vet to ensure he was in good health. He was very excited to see me. And he has loved the area and his new home to be enjoyed for the next 4 years.
Thank you to all those who helped in the process to get Homer here!