While couriers J and G headed to France and Italy, courier M made his way to Greece, where he was joined by courier S. Our big Mercedes Sprinter van is doing the Greek run as we have lots of passengers to transport to the UK.

Gibbs

After five years living in Crete, English Bulldog Gibbs and his owners are on their way back to the US. Gibbs will have a short stay with Animalcouriers before joining his owners at Southampton, where they’ll board the Queen Mary for a trip to New York. Their ultimate destination is Baltimore.

They’re taking the road and sea route rather than flying because snub-nosed dogs like Bulldogs don’t fly well — in fact, most airlines won’t take them. We think travelling on the Queen Mary sounds like a lot of fun. State-of-the-art kennels and qualified staff dedicated to the dogs and cats throughout the cruise — and owners are of course encouraged to walk their dogs every day in a pet-friendly atmosphere.

Gibbs arrives to meet us in Athens

Gibbs arrives to meet us in Athens

Gorgeous Gibbs comes in for his close-up

Gorgeous Gibbs comes in for his close-up

Ermioni

Doberman Ermioni belongs to Andreas. Before accepting a job in the Maidenhead area, Andreas checked he would be able to take his beloved dog. This was a few months ago, since when we’ve worked with Andreas to arrange Ermioni’s trip.

A proper send-off for Ermioni — she's a sweetie who quickly made friends with everyone

A proper send-off for Ermioni — she’s a sweetie who quickly made friends with everyone

Bonnie

Cross-breed Bonnie belongs to George and Tracy, who’re relocating from Greece to the UK. It was quite a tearful goodbye but Bonnie will be in good hands with family members in Brighton until George and Tracy catch up with her.

Beautiful Bonnie

Beautiful Bonnie

Spaik

Springer Spaniel Spaik arrived with friends of his owners who’ve been taking excellent care of him. Relaxed and friendly, Spaik is on his way to north London to rejoin Ionnis and family.

Very well behaved Spaik

Very well behaved Spaik

Lila and Cookie

Lovely Lila belongs to Thanos, who’s relocated to Leeds for work. Lila arrived with friends and family, supplies of food and treats, and excellent care instructions.

Mum-in-law Eleni is also relocating to join the family, so her dog Cookie is on the same trip with us.

Lovely Lila

Lovely Lila

Cute Cookie

Cute Cookie

Rosie

Darling Rosie travelled from the Kalamata area of Greece to join the journey. Her owners have gone on ahead to Lancashire, and Rosie has been boarding at partnership kennels in Athens. Our friendly pet taxi driver Akis collected Rosie and brought her to our hotel.

Rosie in the arms of Akis

Rosie in the arms of Akis

Eric

Akis also brought Eric to join the trip. Eric is our first holiday romance of the season, having attached himself to Christine and Richard when they were staying in Naxos. Eric will have four canine housemates at his new home in the West Country.

The rather stunning Eric

The rather stunning Eric

Zizel

Lovely Zizel is on her way to Chiswick in west London to rejoin owner Katarina. Being an Athens town dog, we think Zizel will quickly adapt to London city living.

Zizel shows us her fine profile

Zizel shows us her fine profile

Mandy

Super friendly Mandy did the rounds, introducing herself to her fellow travellers. She’s travelling with us Newcastle to rejoin her family.

Mandy introduces herself to Spaik. We love her green collar and pink bow!

Mandy introduces herself to Spaik. We love her green collar and pink bow!

Lilo

Handsome Bull Terrier Lilo waited patiently for his paperwork to be checked and his bedroom to be prepared. He’s on his way to John in Northumberland.

Lovely calm Lilo

Lovely calm Lilo

Chantelle

No trip would be complete without a cat from Nine Lives Greece, and we were delighted to be joined by the very glamorous Chantelle. There were a few tears when it was time for Christine and her friend, who regularly foster cats and kittens for Nine Lives, to say goodbye. Chantelle was rescued by the charity after being hit by a car, and has been lovingly nursed back to health. She’s on her way to her forever home in Surrey.

Chantelle arrives with her friends from Nine Lives Greece

Chantelle arrives with her friends from Nine Lives Greece

Chantelle chilling out in her bedroom

Chantelle chilling out in her bedroom

Lochy

On leaving Athens we headed north towards Volos to meet Jack Russell Lochy, who travelled with owners Sally and Brandon from Skepelos, where they spend part of the year. Lochy will homeboard with Animalcouriers until Sally and Brandon catch up.

From Volos we drove on to the port of Igoumenitsa to board our pet-friendly ferry operated by EMMC, with our crossing organised by Mrs Emmy.

Sweet-faced Lochy

Sweet-faced Lochy

We passed straight through this amazing rock formation at Metéora, with an Eastern Orthodox monastery complex on the top (Metéora means ‘suspended in the air’)

We passed straight through this amazing rock formation at Metéora, with an Eastern Orthodox monastery complex on the top (Metéora means ‘suspended in the air’)

On board the ferry we had a special parking area with no other vehicles around the van. Large portholes provided excellent ventilation to keep the pets comfortable, and we could visit them throughout the crossing.

On board the ferry we had a special parking area with no other vehicles around the van. Large portholes provided excellent ventilation to keep the pets comfortable, and we could visit them throughout the crossing.