Cats, Spaniels and Shidoodles are heading to Europe

Animalcouriers set off today with pets on board bound for Switzerland, France, Spain and Portugal.

Edie is a Kooikerhondje, a small Spaniel-type breed of dog. She’s off to join her owner Ben in Geneva, where he’s taken a production of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ for a month’s run. Edie tells us she’s very much looking forward to having a look around that fine Swiss city.

Also travelling with us is Clumber Spaniel puppy Bibi. Just 16 weeks old, she was bred by Hilda whose kennels win some of the top awards in the Clumber Spaniel world. Bibi is moving to France to live with Alexandra and Flinders, another Clumber we transported for her a few years ago. Alexandra reckons smart young Bibi will be a great playmate for Flinders.

On board are three cats who are relocating to different parts of southern France. Siamese Barley is moving from Essex to Salazac in the south east. He’s a highly individual character who spends all day chatting and recounting stories. We’ll share any choice snippets as we go along!

Stunning tabby cat Bob is moving with his owner Ruth slightly further south west, to the town of Narbonne, in search of a lifestyle change. Ruth is quite sure that when Bob arrives and gets settled in, he’ll give the new arrangements his wholehearted approval. And shiny black Sam is swapping Stockport for Caramany, near Perpignan, which is even closer to the border with Spain. He likes nothing better than a lovely long head scratch.

Cuddly Shidoodle dogs Taz and Milo belong to Stuart, who’s relocating from London to join his mum in Moraira in Spain.

Our final passengers from the UK are Vera and Pedro’s four cats, who travelled with us last year from Portugal and are now on their way back to the town of Loule. Pedro has gone on ahead, and Vera will join them once she’s finished her psychology degree.

Sweet Edie waits patiently for the off at our Surrey base, surrounded by our grocery shopping for various friends on the continent

Edie at Calais this morning…

…very keen to get us to have a look at the special tag on her collar!

Bibi in the arms of Alexandra

A closer look at pretty Bibi

Very chatty Siamese cat Barley

Gentle, affectionate Bob

Handsome, friendly Sam

Blonde Taz, brunette Milo

Taz looking especially blonde in a ray of sunlight

Milo showing us his cutest side

Tereco and Felix, two of the family of four cats who are heading back to the Portuguese Algarve

The other half of the family — this is Oscar; Tucha is hiding completely from sight at the moment. But we know they’re all there as big bowls of food keep vanishing!