Vet check

Moving a dog internationally is tricky. There are rules and regulations as one might expect, both from the destination country and the airline that is getting us there. There's no quarantine like there used to be, but what is required is a vet check within 10 days of travel. We had that today and it went very well. Bailey can be nervous around strangers but she took treats from both the vet and the vet tech and ended up giving them kisses. She was up to date on everything already so it all went smoothly. She weighed in at just under 70 pounds, or rather 31.75 kg. 

The vet check is just the beginning of the requirements, however. The vet must be one that is approved by the US Department of Agriculture. Dr. Ashley Rethemeyer at the Animal Wellness Center in Crozet is that vet. I knew her because she often helps out with Green Dogs fosters and in fact she had given Bailey her first rabies vaccination. We saw her in her office earlier this spring to get Bailey current on everything so today's visit was mostly about paperwork. She submitted the necessary information to USDA today. Now it's up to them to issue the necessary health certificate and get it back to us in time for our flight on the 31st. Depending on this government for anything right now is more than a bit worrisome, but apparently they've been getting things out on time.

I've got a crate that Bailey is comfortable in, although I still need to get some bolts and wingnuts to secure it. Temperature is also a concern and it's a big reason that we've scheduled an overnight flight that doesn't leave until 9:30 p.m. Air France won't fly animals if the temperature is over 85 degrees and right now, at least, the forecast for next week looks favorable. 

We have an air tag on Bailey's collar now and I don't think I'll be able to relax until we're able to confirm that she's on board the flight with us next week. Even then I'll probably be a wreck until we actually pick her up after the flight to Paris. We're having a driver take us from there to Lille instead of taking the train mostly so we don't have to put her through a train ride after a long flight. 

There's many moving parts to making this all work. Clay's exhaustive research and Dr. Rethemeyer's experience will hopefully make it all come together to get us there.