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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Yes, it’s another Meghan thread... AIBU to think that it’s really disappointing that she left her dog behind?

274 replies

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 28/11/2017 21:48

I’m not a royalist.. or otherwise! Was mildly interested in the news and always happy for a bank holiday (which we probably aren’t getting anyway Hmm)

But I have followed her for a little bit recently on social media and she seemed to really love her dogs which I always find a lovely trait in a person Grin

So one dog is here, and one dog ‘is with friends’ and was apparently refused access to the uk / was too old to transport... surely when a dog is old is when he needs his owner the most? I’ve lived through that devastating time of losing a dog and they really find comfort in being with their owners. (I think)

They are rescues which she seems to advocate and I think this really sends the wrong message that they are a bit disposable. She is marrying into arguably the most powerful family in the world and she can’t get her dog here?! Hmm

I’m sure people will disagree. But just reading that and looking at my 10 year old dog sleeping on my feet, I could never leave him behind.

OP posts:
Booboobooboo84 · 28/11/2017 22:11

She travels so much her dog will be comfortable and accustomed to spending time with others. Much better to put the dogs needs first than have him endure a flight he might not survive

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 28/11/2017 22:16

I think you all massively underestimate what the royals etc are capable of... they could’ve got that dog here with everyone none the wiser.

Apparently, the dog is large and didn’t suit Harry’s cottage.

An advocate for rescue dogs and ‘a dog is for life’ etc....

Disappointing.

OP posts:
nooka · 28/11/2017 22:16

The dog she's leaving behind isn't particularly old (three or four, possibly younger than the one that's arrived already). Dogs imported from the States don't have to be quarantined if they have had their rabies vaccination, which this dog will have had as it's legally required in California. There may be other diseases that might lead to barring entry or other reasons why she decided to leave the dog with her friends (eg he might be more bonded to them if he lived with them previously). It does seem a bit surprising to bring one dog and leave the other behind.

madwoman1ntheatt1c · 28/11/2017 22:16

I assume it doesn't have the rabies history and testing necessary to enter without going through quarantine. Six months in quarantine for an elderly dog really IS cruel, particularly after a long haul flight.

We always ship ours back and forth but it isn't pleasant, is bureaucratic in nature to ensure that the pet passport stays valid, and if a dog is at all unwell or anxious, it's a pretty bloody experience. I've spent about 10k shipping dogs in both directions from North America, and in her shoes, I would have done the same thing. (Indeed, on one occasion I made the decision to leave my dog with my parents, as the country I was going to would have allowed the dog IN, but I would not then have been able to bring him back to the uk. They treated him like a lord. Grin

Sometimes it's about what's best for the dog. It doesn't sound as though a long haul flight (being in the crate for extended periods at both ends awaiting checks) and potentially six months in quarantine would be a fair way to treat an elderly dog. So you grit your teeth and get on with it.

Having actually had to leave my dog at LHR on arrival in the UK once (because the vet had missed a signature on one of the many many export forms in North America prior to leaving) with the threat that the one missed signature might bang her in quarantine for 6 months, it was pretty traumatic. Fortunately she was only held for an additional 24 hours but it was touch and go. I imagine that the staff in Meghan's case have made all possible enquiries and realised it was a no go.

Maybe83 · 28/11/2017 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cdtaylornats · 28/11/2017 22:18

Harry, patron of the Invicta Games and friendly with thousands of servicemen? Absolutely sure he couldn't get a dog smuggled back if he asked.

Given that after the Falklands the Paras brought back a 155mm Howitzer and Tucano aircraft I suspect it might happen.

TheFairyCaravan · 28/11/2017 22:18

I think you all massively underestimate what the royals etc are capable of... they could’ve got that dog here with everyone none the wiser.

I don’t think you have a clue about what strings the royals can and cannot pull.

As for the dog being too big for Harry’s cottage, have you seen the size of it? It’s not a 2 up 2 down, ffs!

CherryChasingDotMuncher · 28/11/2017 22:19

Apparently, the dog is large and didn’t suit Harry’s cottage

Where did you read this? Was it OK magazine?

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 28/11/2017 22:20

I’m quoting, not speculating on the size of his cottage.

OP posts:
skippy67 · 28/11/2017 22:22

You're funny OP...

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 28/11/2017 22:23

Not intentionally Smile

OP posts:
Roussette · 28/11/2017 22:23

Apparently, the dog is large and didn’t suit Harry’s cottage

Ahhhh... I now realise you are friends with her and you've fallen out because she's told you this and you don't believe her. Hmm

You don't know the reasons. She's obviously a dog lover, having two rescue dogs, perhaps he doesn't travel well (the dog I used to have was sick before even getting in the car!) and perhaps she is being kind and she's really upset not to be able to have it over here.

WorraLiberty · 28/11/2017 22:23

She tried and the dog was refused.

Had the royal family been able to pull strings, can you imagine the indignation and uproar from the 'lesser mortals' who have to stick to the rules?

Also, she seems to be a very busy woman work-wise, therefore the dog could well be very used to the person she's leaving it with and view theirs as a second home.

She's reluctantly re-homed it with a friend, not left it tied to a lamp post outside the off licence.

TatianaLarina · 28/11/2017 22:24

I think you all massively underestimate what the royals etc are capable of... they could’ve got that dog here with everyone none the wiser.

Yeah that worked for Johnny Depp.

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 28/11/2017 22:24

I’m so sorry..! I forgot this was a forum of pure facts!

OP posts:
rightsaidfrederickII · 28/11/2017 22:24

There's probably more to the story, and I'm sure she has made sure that the dog is well looked after.

If one particular friend emigrated and left their dog with me I would be sad to lose the friend but utterly thrilled to gain the dog. It may be a similar situation here

Bettercallsaul1 · 28/11/2017 22:29

This comes across as a thread that is determined to find something wrong with Meghan Markle. Unfortunately, OP, no one is agreeing with you.

WatchTheFoxes · 28/11/2017 22:31

I'd never leave my dog to move abroad with my fiancé. Really horrible and I can't think kindly towards her after hearing that Sad absolutely shameful.

Roussette · 28/11/2017 22:32

Well... we don't know the facts do we? We know she is a dog lover and we can only assume she is doing what is best for the dog and not what is best for her (subjecting the dog to a long plane journey but leaving him where he is happiest probably with the friends who look after him when she is away all over the world).

Agree Better I wonder what next we can find to criticise about MM.

HolyShmoly · 28/11/2017 22:33

Eh, I'd have bigger issues if she did something that either tougher on the animal (cause they're too old and/or infirm for the flight) or if they just decided to overrule quarantine rules because she's marrying a royal. Quarantine isn't for funsies.

If the alternative is that her dog gets to live out it's final years, well taken care of in a loving home, then that's probably for the best.

Also, her life is probably going to change massively once she's over here so she may not have the time to give the dog and may not want to leave it to the help.

I don't even know why I'm commenting, I just really want the extra BH

cathyclown · 28/11/2017 22:34

Forget about the dog for a minute. Meghan got into the UK hopefully with a fully valid legal visa like everyone else has to do. YAY. (otherwise Brexit is fkd).

The poor dog. But she is obv happy to leave it behind and the journey would be wrong for it. She knows this and has made provisions.

I hope she didn't get a pass to live here though just because of her impending status. Yowza.

blueskyinmarch · 28/11/2017 22:34

I love my dog. I really do. But if I had to change my life for whatever reason and had someone willing to care for her then I would be happy with this. I would miss her no end but for a life changing decision I would be okay with it. So long as I was sent many pictures.

ButchyRestingFace · 28/11/2017 22:35

You can’t possibly argue that they couldn’t get a dog in if they wanted to?!

I'd love to see the headlines if it got out that the Royal Family pulled rank to get an ageing canine into the UK.

Don't really understand why the dog was denied entry - did they think it wouldn't survive the journey?

Couldn't she hire a private jet - I'm sure she can afford it now - and have the dog transported into the cabin beside her? That would surely assuage some of the stress the animal would feel if it had been transported in the hold.

That said, she must travel a fair bit for work and her various charitable endeavours etc. Quite possibly the "friends" that the dog has been left with have looked after it a lot previously and have a good relationship with it, so it won't feel too traumatised by the loss of it's owner. Smile

Zeelove · 28/11/2017 22:35

This is too funny

WorraLiberty · 28/11/2017 22:36

It's not 'absolutely shameful' though is it?

And I say that as a dog lover who has only ever owned rescue dogs.

She's done her best to take it with her and it's not possible, so she's re-homed it with her friend.

As long as the dog lives a long and healthy life and is happy/loved, that's all that matters.

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