Five dogs, five cats and a parrot join Tiddles for our trip to the UK

Animalcouriers met up with Cody and his family on the front between Gibraltar and La Linea. He’s off to Northern Ireland to stay with mum Nikki’s sister while the family packs up ready to follow him. They all said they would miss Gibraltar but they’re looking forward to new schools and a new way of life. As Nikki put it: ‘It’s goodbye shorts and flip flops, hello Ugg boots and woolly hats!’

Then it was off to collect Ben from Margaret at Benalmadena Costa. Margaret moved here over 20 years ago, and character cat Ben came on the scene a few years later. Now the time has come for Margaret to go back to Burnley with Ben and rejoin her family.

After an overnight stay in Nerja, we caught up with Kathy and Neska. These canine chums belong to Ana and George who relocated from Granada to the UK a few months ago, leaving their dogs in the care of Irene. Now Ana and George are all settled in and have sent for their dogs to join them.

When Kristina and her family recently moved from Torrevieja to Buckinghamshire, they found African Grey Parrot Charlie a new home with friends. However, African Greys are very sensitive creatures and, despite best efforts, the solution didn’t suit Charlie 100%. So plans were changed and now he’s on his way to the UK to rejoin Kristina.

Yesterday evening in Valencia we met up with Xavier from our colleagues Traveldog, who brought the final passengers, two dogs and four cats, for our UK-bound trip. First up was wolfdog Galatzo from Madrid, who’s travelling to Glasgow. Anything but wild, this handsome chap is very sociable. We were also joined by Cocky, a little Westie, who hails from Santiago de Compostella, and has settled into travelling like a pro.

Siamese cat Paddula is travelling with slinky black Lalaiph from O Porrinno; and tabby cat Cuca is travelling with Napoleao from Porto. Cuca has asthma, which is treated with an inhaler. His owner, Teresa, says he can get very stressed and provided advice on how to use the inhaler. But so far he’s been very relaxed indeed, and probably wonders why we keep checking up on him!

Cody gets a great send-off from his family. L to R: Lauren, Charlotte holding Chloe, and mum Nikki

Margaret with handsome Ben

Fearless Ben, checking courier J for the smells of other pets

Ben even quite fancied trying to get on courier J’s lap, but the camera kept getting in the way!

Cody looking very attentive — nothing to do with the biscuit in courier M’s hand!

Irene has been looking after Neska and Kathy. Here she is giving them goodbye hugs.

Kathy (L) and Neska (R) — great ears, Neska!

We always love visiting Granada. This time around, the collars of petunias around the lampposts caught our eye, their bright colours contrasting beautifully with the pale stonework.

Charlie shows us what a big fellow he is

Charlie with Bev, who’s been taking care of him

We always work hard to find secure overnight car parks. But if there’s not much green around, it can pose a problem for dogs that won’t do their business unless it’s on grass! We fell around this morning as one by one our dogs made a bee-line for this single sprig poking out through the tarmac.

Here’s Neska patiently waiting her turn to water the sprig

Little Kathy is definitely the leader of her pack

Xavier from Traveldog with Galatzo

Very tame and sociable wolfdog Galatzo

Cute Westie Cocky

A very chilled-out Paddula…

…and Lalaiph settle in to the compartment they’re sharing

Cuca — such a handsome friendly face!

Cuca’s companion Napoleao catches a few zeds

Cody waiting very politely for his walk this morning

Cody and Galatzo meet and have a little play — two very sociable hounds