In Madrid Animalccouriers collected cats Pica and Trebol. Their very organised grandpapa had them ready in their boxes, bag packed and waiting in the security office by the entrance gate to his home. The cats are off to join their owner Gonzalo in the UK.
Just 10 minutes further away we met Coquito, a very sweet mixed breed dog. He’s off to join his owner Laura in the UK. Grandmama is obviously worried about the colder British climate, so saw him off in his winter outfit.
We spent the night in the Alhama de Aragon region, where the town is dominated by a monastery and thermal springs. People were bathing late into the night in the warm spring water. Our hotel was very busy — it was the Saturday night of a bank holiday weekend — so we were lucky to get in. When they saw the size of our van the kind staff opened the back entrance so we could park at the back of the garden. We were securely locked in and had a river bed to walk our doggy passengers in.
Yesterday we headed to El Vendrell to meet Nuria and her cats. Arya and Misha. They are relocating to London, where Nuria’s husband has already arrived and has the new home ready. Nuria leaves on Wednesday.
In Barcelona we met Alex, a colleague from Traveldog, to collect Pula who is off to live in Tewksbury. This gorgeous girl was quick to show us her entry for the ‘longest tongue’ competition!
We spent the night in Narbonne, where pretty tabby cat Biscuit from the Nice area was waiting for us. This little rescue cat belongs to Kate, who’s returning to the UK to work — and naturally Biscuit is going too.
Pica and Trebol with their grandpapa
A closer look at lovely black-and-white Pica…
…and beautiful tabby Trebol
Little Coquito, all kitted out for the British climate
A view of Alhama de Aragon many years ago — the river is now a river bed, and is where we walked the dogs
Nuria saying goodbye to her cats Arya and Misha
Gorgeous wide-eyed Arya
Pretty tabby-and-white Misha
Alex from Traveldog with Pula
A statue of a castell — a human tower. Teams compete to build them at festivals in Catalonia. The small person at the top holds up four fingers of one hand to symbolise the Catalan flag. In 2010 UNESCO declared castells to be among the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Pula looking a bit fed up at first — but she soon settled in to the journey
Pretty little Biscuit looks good enough to eat!
Coquito’s smart jumper is hand made. Love the skull and crossbones motif!
Mia Bluebell takes it easy in her cosy bed
Pica exploring while Trebol takes it easy
Alana is ready for anything
Ben enjoys his morning walk
Bob loves feeling the spring sunshine on his nose
Alfie sits like a good boy
Pula shows us her wonderful ears
Bobby and Chaudi make for the same interesting sniff
Bobby shows us his fine profile
Great update!
All wonderful!
Nearly home!
Hurray! Glad you are all back safe and sound! When will Tula be delivered to Tewkesbury?
That’s a BIG load of animals for this trip! They all are gorgeous – and I know they’ll all be happy to be in their homes with their owners at the end of the journey……………
Pam and Sam
Yes, it is a big group of passengers. All travelling well and nearly home…!
Pula, that’s a 10 on the tongue-scale, fabulous entry ! What a pleasure to travel with a real Biscuit on board :o)
We think she should win a prize for best ears too!
Alana… eyes you could drown in. 🙂 –Curt
They are incredible – hard to believe she can hardly see anything.
You’ve got some handsome travel companions there
Each and every one.
I love the history and descriptions of the countries you are traveling through in addition to all the beautiful little furry, feathered, and reptilian faces. I think you have even transported fish as well? It’s one way I can travel and see your part of the world. Thank you! These happy stories add a bright note to my day.
So glad you get some vicarious travel with us! We do try to include some history along the way.
Of course I love the kitties, but the puppies in sunshine are wonderful.
Puppies walking in the sunshine are wonderful to behold.
I LOVED this post – I always enjoy the photos of the countryside and towns where you stay, but the old b&w of Alhama de Aragon is a treasure!! I envy your river walk…travel safe.
Couriers J&M were intrigued by the history and loved their walk in the river bed.
Pleased to see Bob and Ben have some great companions on the journey. Coquito looks a bit like Bob but without the white patches. What a smart jumper!
Bob and Ben have some great travel companions and they’re all getting along well. Yes, Coquito does look a little like Bob – do you think Bob’s going to want a jumper now?
That’s a lot of cats and dogs together. Alfie has stolen our hearts this time. I just wonder, are the kitties on nip..MOL 😀 Safe Pawkisses for the travel 🙂 <3
Alfie is a real character at the start of a fabulous adventure! Now, there’s an idea 😀
Very natty coat.
We suspect there’s a bit of jumper envy going on with the rest of the dogs 😉
Love the coat. I’ve tried to crochet one for Sissy, but it’s nowhere near as fancy.
Perhaps a few adornments might do the trick? 😉
The cats look a little stressed out. Which, from my experience is normal. Cats take awhile to adjust to their environment being disrupted. Has there ever been a need to medicate with a cortisone shot, on long trips? This reminds me of a James Harriott story (When he went on boat ride to watch over some sheep. He had to give cortisone shots to some, to help with the stress and help them survive the trip). I believe there were problems with sheep dying during the boat trips.
It’s incredible the varied response of cats to travelling. Most just hunker down and put up with it – others find it hugely entertaining and demand attention whenever they can get it. No, we advise against drugging animals during trips. A period of adjustment is sometimes necessary but they all settle down into the daily routine and have a good rest at night, ready for the onward journey the next day.
Transporting large numbers of sheep is an entirely different thing…
Little Coquito’s sweater is adorable!!! Handmade?
Isn’t it just the business for a trendy traveller! Not sure but it is quite beautifully done.
Some beautiful photos of the gang and the scenery.
It’s all been very photogenic.
Its so cold here at the moment. I think the dogs will all want jumpers unless they have thick furry coats of their own! However, the weather forecast is for warmer weather by the weekend so spring is on the way. Pleased they are all getting along x
Thanks for sending the lovely photos! Looks like they are loving their new home and spacious garden 😀 They’ll have forgotten about the posh jumpers in no time.
Biscuit is lovely. All your passengers are, actually, but that is an arresting face!
It’s a shame she is so timid as many people would love to meet her.
What a gorgeous collection of cats and dogs.
The statue of a castell is interesting – and looks a lot more stable than the live thing usually does! It’s amazing how high they can go without collapsing!
Yes, it is amazing how they can create such a stable base to reach such a height!
Wow lots of cuties on this trip! Hope it all went smoothly 🙂
Very smoothly and everyone is home or nearly home now!
I have a friend who is thinking of moving from northern California to Italy. She has a big dog and said she’d have to leave it behind. I told her about ya’ll but I wasn’t sure to what extent you do transportation, whether only in Europe etc. or would you do the trip to Calif and back over to Europe? If you let me know, I’ll pass along your info to her. 🙂