This morning Animalcouriers were up bright and early to collect five dogs at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport who’ve undertaken their own odyssey to reach their new homes in the UK.

Kiki, Martha and the rest of the Filozoikos team were up just as early, getting the dogs ready for their flight. As usual, every dog was sporting his or her own personal ‘good luck’ collar and bow, lovingly made by Martha.

A stately procession of dogs in travel boxes, accompanied by Nell and Alex

A stately procession of dogs in travel boxes, accompanied by Nell and Alex

All the travel boxes were on the large side, so we worked a shuttle between the arrivals hall upstairs and the carpark downstairs.

All the travel boxes were on the large side, so we worked a shuttle between the arrivals hall upstairs and the carpark downstairs.

All the dogs were secure on leads and ready to jump out as their travel boxes were opened

All the dogs were secure on leads and ready to jump out as their travel boxes were opened

Were were pleased to see Melissa again, having met her in Athens just a few weeks ago. She seemed to 'know' the Animalcouriers van and hopped right in

Were were pleased to see Melissa again, having met her in Athens just a few weeks ago. She seemed to ‘know’ the Animalcouriers van and hopped right in

Melissa is a real softie, kept rolling over for tummy tickles from courier R when he bent down to talk to her

Melissa is a real softie, kept rolling over for tummy tickles from courier R when he bent down to talk to her

Stella is the biggest and most glamorous dog on the trip. She was all ready for a Paris shopping spree — new handbag, shoes, gloves, the lot!

Stella is the biggest and most glamorous dog on the trip. She was all ready for a Paris shopping spree — new handbag, shoes, gloves, the lot!

Carmel arrived in style, very lively (hence the blurry photo!). Nell says they could hear her barking while they were waiting to get off the plane — woof, woof, where's my red carpet? We had one ready outside the terminal, natch!

Carmel arrived in style. Nell says they could hear her barking while they were waiting to get off the plane — woof, woof, where’s my red carpet? We had one ready outside the terminal, natch!

Everyone had been a bit worried about Dimos travelling, but his behaviour was exemplary — one cool dude, as though flying was something he did every day

Everyone had been a bit worried about Dimos travelling, but his behaviour was exemplary — one cool dude, as though flying was something he did every day

Dimos sets off for a short walk and a nose around

Dimos sets off for a short walk and a nose around

Zorba the Greek — now Zorba the Brit — comes back from a short walk with Nell and Alex

Zorba the Greek — now Zorba the Brit — comes back from a short walk with Nell and Alex

Nell pops Zorba into his compartment in our van — in he went, good as gold

Nell pops Zorba into his compartment in our van — in he went, good as gold