“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.” – Dean Koontz
Moving back to India after 12 years in the US was an exciting but daunting task. Not only did we have to pack up our entire lives, but we also had to figure out how to transport our beloved dog, Oreo to India. 🧳🐕
Oreo 🐶 is a Shih Tzu + King Charles Spaniel + Bichon Frisé mix, and he’s a very special member of our family with real Puppy eyes.
Here are some of the things we had to do to prepare Oreo for the long journey:
- Get all the necessary vaccinations and medical tests.
- Obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Indian government.
- Book flights that allowed small pet’s travel.
- Follow a proper diet to ensure that weight requirements are met.
We were initially booked on Qatar Airways, but they refused to let Oreo on the plane because of his breed type. Luckily, we found a flight on KLM that was willing to transport him.
The journey itself was long and challenging, but Oreo handled it like a champ. He was calm and quiet throughout the flights, and we even sneaked in some kibbles and water to keep it less stressful.
It has been 3 months now and Oreo is loving it here in India and has made few human and furry friends already.
If you’re thinking about moving abroad with your pet, I encourage you to do your research and plan carefully. It’s definitely possible to make it work, but it’s important to be prepared for the challenges. In the end, it was all worth it to have our furry little ambassador start his life afresh in India.
Some tips for traveling with pets:
🗓️ Start planning early.
📋 Get all paperwork in order.
💉 Ensure vaccinations and tests are up to date.
✈️ Research pet-friendly flights.
🛍️ Use an approved carrier for air travel.
🥘 Manage your pet’s weight for the carrier.
🧐 Be ready for the unexpected.
