Animalcouriers has set off on what may be the most complex trip we’ve ever undertaken from a logistical point of view. This is just the start…
Couriers M and Mike left the UK on Sunday with Rosalina and Nox on board, bound for Italy. These two very beautiful and regal cats belong to Francesca. After working in London for a few years, she’s returned to her native Italy, and we had the pleasure of transporting her beloved pets.
Gorgeous Rosalina
Moustachioed Nox
Francesca delighted to be reunited with her cats
The lovely landscape where Francesca and her cats will be living
An Italian village cemetery filled with flowers to mark All Saints’ Day, which is taken very seriously in continental Europe (Hallowe’en being a very recent import)
While couriers M and Mike wend their way by road towards the Greek capital, Athens, courier J flew to the same destination. Her hold luggage consisted of a big box containing seven slip leads, lots of newspaper, plenty of dog biscuits, and several bicycle chains and padlocks. Not some weird and wonderful bondage equipment, but everything she needed to escort seven dogs from Lesvos back to the mainland by boat!
Last night courier J met up with lovely Christos from Hellas Ferries, an Athenian travel agent. He regards Animalcouriers as personal friends, and the warmth and passion he shows us are what make Greek people very special to us. Christos organised courier J onto a Hellenic Seaways boat at Piraeus port for the crossing to Lesvos and back. They enjoyed a drink on the boat, swapping life stories, before it was time to set off.
Today courier J met Rebecca from Lesvos Stray Dogs and Cat Adoptions. In between looking after stray dogs and cats, Rebecca’s been on the beaches helping migrants from the water as their little boats reach the shore — just one element of a massive humanitarian aid operation that’s underway.
Rebecca handed over the seven dogs who are travelling to homes and owners the UK:
- Bella, Zeus, Hercules and Bear are four puppies whose journey to Cambridgeshire has been sponsored by Wendy — all four have homes with friends and a vet
- Another puppy, Berti, for Wild at Heart
- Ian’s dog, Dexter, a holiday romance — Rebecca arranged a foster home for Dexter while he waited for us, as he just missed our last trip. We know Ian is very excited about Dexter’s imminent arrival, after quite some time apart.
- Lucy, the dog we blogged about earlier in the week, who’ll be fostered by Wendy on arrival before moving to her forever home
Mike, a member of the ferry crew, kindly lending a hand at the onboard kennels. All the crew were really helpful, and let courier J prepare the cages on the outbound trip so they would be ready to house the dogs on the way back to Piraeus.
The cages all kitted out
Keys to the padlocks, for security
The route to Lesvos took us past the spot where our van was impounded on arrival from Turkey a few years ago — what memories!
One of the many homeless dogs on Lesvos…
…and a microcosm of the homeless people who’ve arrived there
Impounded boats on Lesvos
The dogs settling in for the ferry crossing
Rebecca saying goodbye
A heap of wriggly puppies
There’s always one, isn’t there?!
Super cute Dexter
Lucy accepted a treat so graciously and nibbled it so gently, she should have been offered a napkin!
Berti makes an early bid for longest (and waggiest) tongue
there is always one… that’s true… and this one won our hearts immediately :o)
That ‘one’ always does!
good luck in your new lives and what a fabulous journey for all
Thanks Dallas. It’s a rather complex journey this time and we’re crossing our fingers that all goes to plan 😉
You know that we’re all dead envious
Don’t you wish all these beauties could have a home like Rosalina and Nox have.
Yes, it’s a home you would wish for everyone!
Great post. The photos of the landscape, cemetery, impounded boats… in addition to the animals give a sense of place to your adventures.
When there’s time we do like to give a taste of where we are. Sadly it’s often too hectic on the road to manage anything but the basics.
I agree with Timothy. I like your attempts at giving us a sense of the scenics, but I can surely understand that your primary responsibilities probably keep you hopping. Thus making the travelogue shots all that much more precious.
Thanks Gunta. The blog was originally set up to give our clients news of the journey their pets were on but it evolved along the way. There were too many interesting things not to share and some great stories that had to be told.
…and I’m so very glad it evolved because I always enjoy seeing your adventures and the posts (and your traveling critters, of course!) 😀
Your adventures give me a vicarious thrill sitting here in my office chair. So wonderful to reunite people with their animals. N.
Glad you enjoy coming along for the ride!
I love Nox’s mustache!
We love our tashed passengers!
This was a great trip. And for me, Lucy was the star. She was her sweet, gentle and beautiful girl.
She is a star and we hope she finds that forever home she’s looking for.
Beautiful cats! So glad that all the woofie gang are moving on to new homes/to their families! Incredible all that you guys do!
The pusskins are gorgeous. The woofie gang is only the start of it 😉
What an extensive work out you all had..those homeless pups and people really tug at your heart..such a sad time for so many and always for the animals a continuing battle for a home..safe travels to all even ‘that one’ because yes they are always the ones that make you smile 🙂 Loves Bev xx
So glad you’ve caught up with yourself Bev! It’s hard opening your eyes and looking around when in Greece — so many reminders of how things are falling apart in the world.
I can only sadly imagine..such a torrid time and we see such sadness everywhere.all we can do is hope that sanity prevails…
Awww…not only one 🙂 That Italy and Turkey are the most beautiful places we have ever been…well, in fact not me, but Granny 🙂 Extra Pawkisses to continue a safe trip 🙂 <3
We loved our times travelling through Turkey but sadly it’s not possible to travel that way any more 🙁
Such little cuties and gorgeous landscapes to see. Have a wonderful Thursday.
Glad you enjoy the landscapes!
We’re glad you enjoy our adventures 😀 It’s the best part for us too!
How wonderful it is that to know there are still kind, helpful people in the world…always makes me happy to read how people help you (Animal Couriers) and your feathered, furry, etc. cargo 🙂
Such a big network of wonderful people helping the animals and us!
How wonderful so many sweet pets are making it home and to safe places. You are all a blessing in their lives.
There are a lot of lucky ones on this trip.
Such heartbreaking photos this time…the refugees…the homeless dogs in Greece…I wish I could wave a magic wand and fix all of the world’s problems at once.
What a wonder that would be!