Cats and dogs heading to Italy and Greece

With one group of passengers already travelling south with Animalcouriers to Spain and Portugal, another set of dogs and cats are on their way to Italy and Greece.

On board are Paul and Anne’s four cats — Pudin, Topy, Gizzy and Kitteon — along with their Chihuahua chums Paddy and Colin. The whole family is swapping damp and windy Southampton for warm and sunny Crete. While Paul and Anne went on ahead to get the new home ready, the cats stayed at Burntwood Kennels and Cattery and the dogs homeboarded with us. Paddy and Colin are quantum dogs — now you see them, now you don’t — then suddenly up they pop somewhere else in their compartment!

Handsome Rino is off to Milan because his owner, Matteo, is relocating there from London. Until Matteo arrives, Rino is staying with his cousin Lorenzo. There’s definitely something very Italian about Rino that made us giggle — one minute he’s rushing around, the next you can’t move him!

Great Dane Jax, travelling from Devon, is our largest passenger by a long chalk. Penny and her family were relieved to find us as they’d drawn a blank on aircraft that could take his big travel box. We’re enjoying having him on board — he’s quite a sensitive fellow who sort of leans on you while you walk him. Apparently he’s not too keen on other dogs, but when he caught sight of the Chihuahuas through a small mesh window there were waggy tails all round.

Beautiful calico Gizzy

Pretty tortie Topy

Lovely ginger tabby Kitteon

Shiny black Pudin

Two little Chihuahuas — Paddy is even smaller than Colin

Our route took us through Switzerland en route to Milan. That’s courier M walking with Jax in the middle of all that lovely green!

Rino managing to look both cute and intelligent

Rino safely delivered to his owner’s cousin, Lorenzo

Jax tries out for — and has every chance of winning — the ‘longest tongue’ competition