How can we get a dog from one end of the country to the other? Bright sparks come here!

[Nbg]

I started another thread this morning but it didnt get many replies, lol.

Anyway to cut a long story short we're taking a dog from another mumsnetter. Shes in the south and we're in yorkshire.
It would cost us about £100 in petrol to do the trip and it would mean dh doing it on his day off which would be a a nightmare.
I have called a couple of pet couriers and have been quoted £180!

We really can't afford to be paying that much out so I just wondered if anyone had any bright ideas on other ways round it.

no option to meet up somewhere? Could we have dog link done by MN??????? Either that or by train - but also v expensive?

On the train? There are loads of discount tickets available for off-peak times, IIRC I think you have to call and tell them you are bringing a dog.

Oooo I like the dog link idea!

Train I dont think we would do, purely because its a total utter nightmare.

where in the South is he coming from? My only thought is would it be fair on the dog to be passed from pillar to post plus surely you would be giving people petrol money so would still cost £100?

In a month or so though I would be doing north Surrey to birmingham though......

Yes i guess it would wouldnt it.

Sussex is where shes coming from.

Anyone else or am I clutching at straws?

still think train a good option - if they could meet you in London - kids under 5 travel free see it as a big adventure?????

I would happily do part of the journey (for free) if it fitted in with plans that I have.

Do either of you know people who travel a lot with work who could possibly do it?

I am always in birmingham and I live in merseyside if thats any help

DD would probably love the train journey as shes 3 but ds is only 6 months so with both of them and then a puppy coming back, I think it would be just too much.

I've called the couriers back and suggested we meet them halfway but it makes no difference to price as they are based in merseyside, so need to charge for mileage from there.

Sniff, thank you for the kind offer but I'm not sure how it would fit tbh.