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The plan from the day Louie became a member of our family was to bring him with me to Ireland. Telling him stories of sitting in the conservatory, me sipping tea and Louie lopping up his water. The wonderful walled in back garden he would have the run of. A utility room for his kennel, and walks on the beach everyday. We were both so very excited. Then the bubble burst!
All the Irish Department of Agriculture requirements were met. Or so I thought. Implanted microchip, check. Rabies vaccination, check. Tick and tapeworm treatment, check. Veterinary Certificate, check. Be accompanied by the owner, check. Qualifying third country, check. Approved airline, check. All was in place.
While I wasn't paying attention, AerLingus(the only approved airline from the US) stopped their direct flights from Chicago to Shannon. When I did my investigation this route was available, animals could be brought into Shannon, their records checked and the animal examined by the Shannon Department of Agriculture people. Louie and I would then be able to continue our journey. Now with this route discontinued, we fly into Dublin and wait three hours for a connecting flight to Shannon. But Louie must be processed in Dublin. Not at the airport, but in the city. Bags, baggage, Louie, cranky husband, tired son and I would have to trek into the city and wait. When I enquired as to the time frame of this check I was told up to 72 hours with all boarding costs at my expense. Fair enough, I thought, but if everything was in order, how long would it take? The reply, did you guess? Up to 72 hours. Next question, so what are the boarding costs? Answer, that depends. Depends on what? No answer to that question! So do we just sit and wait and wonder how long this will take and how much money it will evolve? I could hear the shrug.
On further investigation, I heard horror stories of the whole procedure costing anywhere from 1000 to 5000 euro. This on top of airline fees, which also could not be disclosed until we reached the departure gate. I kid you not!!! So that as they say was the final nail in the coffin.
Ella
“Bringing pets to Ireland ... it is not impossible, but you and your pet will have to jump through quite a few hoops ...So you want to take your pet or companion animal to Ireland? Don’t - that is my short advice.”
Bring Pets to Ireland
By Bernd Biege
32 comments:
That's such a shame.
I remember last air trip with my daughter and wheelchair, just after 9/11. Almost a decade ago. Now I don't even consider flying. What a nightmare for you! So sorry.
Aw poor Louie... Ireland seems like just the kind of place a dog would love! I have in image of him poking around in the streets of Dublin.
Awww, poor Louie!
And poor you. :(
Happy Mother's Day and Weekend,
Lola
Poor Louie, he'll be fine, not sure about you, Ann, hope you survive waiting for him for 72 hours. It'll be worth it when he is walking on the beach.
How frustrating for you. :o( Poor Louie, though I would love to give Puggles ears a squeeze too. awww cute! We had a dog just like that called Cujo, he was such a brat hehe
Oh Ann! I am so so so sorry that you can't take Louie despite all your forward planning! And all because of the silly plane route has been discontinued. You were so near and yet...! Oh how annoying and frustrating.
At least he'll be in good company with the gorgeous Ella!
Awww Louie looks so adorable!! Big hugs to Louie!
And you too - bless your heart for all that effort.
Take care
x
What a shame! but I am sure it will be less traumatic for you all if he stays, rather than having to go through all that rigmarole!
When do you leave for Ireland and how long do you stay?
Poor Louie, poor you.
Ann, that's horrible. Why would they make it so complicated once you get there when you've done everything right on this end? The cost is unconscionable. Poor Louie. Poor you.
Poor Louie! And you did your best too. It sounds like a complete nightmare.
Hope you're enjoying your stay here:)
Oh, poor poor Louie. Still, at least he'll have a companion while you're off in Ireland!
Oh no, that's awful news! How disappointing. I'm surprised that they don't have a facility in Dublin. Hope he enjoys his holiday with Ella!
Ann, apologies for not being able to read properly, I didnt realise Louie is not making it to Ireland, well at least he has a lovely companion for the summer. You can bring him back lovely pressies - any excuse to shop !
Poor Louie, his cousin Muffington Disneyland Paris Doyle, was so looking foreward to meeting him. I have yet to break the news to Muffy, she will be devastated, poor Muffy x.
mom, Ella is really excited. I like that the picture looks like Ella has no ears already. maybe that will be what she looks like after the louie visit! Happy almost Mothers day!
Poor Louie!! How sweet of you to go through all the trouble to get him to join you, but how sad that he can't go!!!
Hi Ciolagh, Thank you for the Mothers Day wishes Princess. Louie is looking forward to seeing Ella too! He loves those ears! Delighted you stopped by and left a comment. Hugs
Fairhedgehog, Yes it is shame and a disappointment.
Hi Ann, All the joy has been sucked out of traveling since 9/11, with all the security. I don't wonder why you no longer travel.
Hi Karen, yes I am at home for a few months, but Louie will only be his holidays for a few weeks. Son and Husband's return is staggered.
Hi loveable homebody, Louie would have loved Ireland. Maybe next time!
Hi Lola Thanks!!! Happy Mothers Day to you too!
Hi Brigid, Seems like me you get a bit distracted. Shopping for pressies will be good medicine.
Hi Niki, those Puggles can be demanding, but they are cute! Luckily Ella gets on well with Louie, unless he takes her toys! Then watch out!
Hi Kitty, Well Poor Louie will have a wonderful time with Ella. And I am sure will be very spoiled when I come back. My daughter is notorious for spoiling dogs!
Hi Susannah, I think it will be less traumatic for both Louie and I. He will have a wonderful time being spoiled while I am away.
Hi Al, Poor us, indeed. HeyHo! Getting used to the idea now though.
Hi Theresa, Wouldn't it be grand if red tape wasn't so complicated and awkward. :)
Hi Talli, yes Ella will mind our Louie. Something to smile about.
Hi Niamh, I was surprised they didn't do the check in the airport, like Shannon. But I think the whole object is to put you off bringing your pet.
Hi Siobhan, Louie is disappointed too he will not be meeting Muffy! Such is life. Maybe next time.
Hi Jen, Louie is over the disappointment! He is now looking forward to staying with Ella and chewing on her ears some more!
Aw...poor Louie. But I'm sure he'll be very happy chewing on Puggle ears! I'm sorry it didn't work out after all the hard work you put into the planning - drat!
What a nightmare!!
Poor Louie (and perfect photo for your words). But never mind. Down the country is great for dogs - lots to sniff out and explore. But the city and its beaches actually BAN dogs in summer time during the day. Mad. Most people ignore the stupid rule.. but it drives me mad.
When in Cape Cod two years ago I was facinated at the number of shops that had water bowls at the door for passing doggies.... not something you will find in Dublin City. So you can comfort Louie with all that info.
Looking forward to seeing you though....
Hi Susan, Louie loves those puggle ears!
Hi Agnes, It is not too bad now, disappointing, but Louie will be very happy and well looked after with Ella.
Hi Barbara, It is a cute photo isn't it! I can understand banning dogs from the water, but the beach itself seems harsh. But then if you have the odd person who doesn't pick up after their dogs I can understand it.
Looking forward to getting together with you too! :)
The hoops we jump through to enable our lovable pets. Hopefully everything will work out.
I think they know people love their pets and will pay through the nose to keep them. Thank goodness you found out before spending all that money. Maybe next year the direct flight will be open again and Louie can visit.
That sucks! Poor Louie is right! We got a cat last December and she has already flown from NYC to SF roundtrip. We go to California for months at at time each year and the plan is to always bring her with us. It would be so jarring to learn that that would no longer be possible. Since, like you, that was the plan from the day we got her.
Oh my goodness. What an ordeal! I've always wondered about these things. I'm afraid of travelling with my dog for the exact same reasons. Expenses that will most likely op up out of the blue. Ugh! Louie likes to stay with Ella, yes? :(
Hi Paul C, thanks for stopping and your well wishes.
Hi Plain Jane, I must agree, if you have your pet with you, they really do have you over a barrel so what can you do but pay.
Hi Rebecca, Yes it sucks! Thankfully I know he will be fine with my daughter and Ella for a few weeks.
Hi A.A. Thanks for stopping, and yes it would be an awful ordeal. Thankfully my daughter will take Louie and he will be very lovingly looked after. Louie loves Ella. Ella loves Louie, most of the time!! She does get a little annoyed and heads for the hills, when Louie overdoes the ear chewing thing! :)
Aww! Poor little Louie. He's so cute, though, and I'm glad you have a place to send him that he will enjoy. Have a wonderful time in the conservatory. Have I told you yet how jealous I am??? Even just a visit would do for me. :o)
Poor Louie! Though I'm sure puggle ear is mighty tasty. I love it when pets are so securely family members. That is how ours are too! And I'm glad you stopped by my blog today so I could discover yours!
Is there any way you could turn Louie into a service animal. Does he have any special talents? I am sure that he would get right through.
I don't know. When I was there the dogs all smoked. I think he's better off on terra firma! OK, maybe they ALL didn't smoke but lots of them did and I'm not even talking about the dogs that drank Guinness. But then they were working class dogs so I suppose they deserved it. Out chasing sheep around in the rain. Yah. Plus, I think, no, I'm sure that while Louie will miss you horribly and you him - he's got some stuff to work out with the puggle. And he doesn't want to work it out with his Ma hanging around. geeesh.
Doggone it! Well, he will probably have just as much fun visiting his buddy and won't have to suffer any jet lag. Have fun on vacation and come home refreshed without the lag!
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