Relocating with an older dog (and other issues)

[Choppychop]

Ive lived where I live for most of my adult life (24 onwards, im 40). I have no children but I do have a precious dog, who is 11 so getting on but she’s still a very active healthy dog. Im starting to think of moving back home to my home country…. I’m missing my parents who are aging (still fit and able now but getting on) and my nieces and nephews are growing up without me getting to spend much time with them. I’m becoming disheartened with how my life is where I’m currently residing and think my life could be better lived where I’m originally from. I could easily sell up and move home if I didn’t have my dog to consider. To me she is my baby, I’m not going anywhere without her. But it would be an extremely long (days) flight with two weeks quarantine. For an older dog this feels so cruel and neglectful. I feel it could even cause trauma. I am thinking it might be best to wait till my dog passes (but that could be years and I hope it is!) it’s such a conundrum. I guess I’m hoping for advice from anyone who has taken an older dog to a country who requires quarantine and how it went? My dog does get separation anxiety when not in her own home and will bark and cry. If I wait I’ll miss out on time with my family, although I s been on my own over here for years. I’m starting to really miss having a family and feeling quite lonely. Just don’t know what to do!

What breed is she?

Do you have any friends/family here who would take her in?

Huge huge dilemma, I feel for you, I really do. I have 2 elderly dogs. I just couldn’t do it to them 🥺

She’s a mini poodle.

Oh and I don’t believe I have anyone who would take her in… I wouldn’t want them to anyway. I’m her mum!

I have worked in this field in the middle east where people take their pets home to Europe four or five times a year for the holidays. Also many people coming and going from Australia with dogs and cats. I also did a lot of birds, now they are tricky with a 50% rate of survival. My experience is that the age is not relevant. Its all down to the temperament and resilience of the animal. Most, and I mean nearly all cope just fine. Some people find roundabout routes so they can have the dog in the cabin and that suits some, others are just fine in cargo. For your own peace of mind, I would suggest the cabin option, if you are going to UK, land in Paris and drive across. Not sure where the quarantine comes in though so thinking you are going to Australia or RSA?? If so, dont worry about that side, the quarantined are impeccable abd I have never heard of any issue. Focus on the trip and choose your airline carefully according to what you want. Dont rule out Cargo, they do generally sleep and there are lots of things you can do to prepare the dog mentally, the key is to make the crate a very happy safe place in the months leading up to travel. Finally, remember that outside of the UK, pet transportation is a normal part of travel and a very, very well trodden path. Its a conveyer belt with well organised processes and facilities. Dont stop your plans because of this, try to fast forward to your baby being in your forever home with your loved ones as the next part of your life together. PM me if you have any questions x

Fair enough, I understand. But given she already has separation anxiety, I'd be very hesitant, but it is only 2 weeks,which isn't toooo long.

I'd need more information to give my thoughts. I'd need to know how long the flight is & which country the quarantine is in.

NZ/Aust. I trust the quality of the quarantine care, but it's a LONG fly time.

other places with shorter fly times would depend on what I could find out about their quarantine care.

random thought, but is there a way you could go to another place for a few weeks (whatever you need to) where quarantine isn't required from where you are now & from where quarantine isn't required at your destination?

I relocated last year when my dog was also 11. She couldn't have done the journey in one go (Asia to LatAm) so she went to my sister in the UK (as a PP suggested, flew to France and then drove home). She had several months there before my sister flew her out to me. Part of that leg was cargo and after several long haul moves with her in the hold as excess baggage, I wouldn't do cargo again. I think we were just unlucky but aside from it being WAY more expensive, it was also more complicated paperwork-wise and they wouldn't release her immediately. She was kept for nearly 24 hours after a long haul flight. Truly awful.

We have never moved anywhere requiring quarantine so I can't comment on that, but I can say she has always coped really well. I was more nervous this last time due to her age but she was fine. Not sure I could do it again as she is now approaching 13... I think she will have to live out her days where we are now!

If money isn't too much of an issue, there are agencies that can really remove a lot of the challenges for you. What is your home country and is quarantine definitely a requirement? Some countries it depends where they've come from, so an 'interesting' route home with a stay in a low-risk country might make a difference. Some countries officially say quarantine is required but don't enforce it. Do as much country-specific research as possible and check it is recent info, as a lot of things changed during covid and some changes have stuck.

Whatever you decide, good luck!