As couriers J and M were leaving Croatia, courier Gwen set off from the UK. The two Animalcouriers vans met up in Bologna in Italy.
Late-night rendezvous in Bologna
On the trip from Hungary and Croatia to Italy, the temperatures ranged from plus 15C to minus 2C. We also experienced thunder, lightning, rain, sleet, sun, clouds, light breezes and, finally, snow!
Couriers J and M transferred the five hounds from Croatia to courier Gwen for their onward journey to the UK. Courier Gwen, meanwhile, handed couriers J and M two Lurchers, Jim and Weasel, who had travelled with her from the UK. The dogs’ final destination is Crete. Yes, that’s right. From Italy, Couriers J and M were heading to Greece. We’ll tell you about that trip separately. But first, meet the pets who travelled with courier Gwen.
Jim and Weasel
Lovely Lurchers Jim and Weasel belong to Helen and David. We collected them from Burntwood Kennels, then travelled with them via Eurotunnel to Italy. The dogs enjoyed the beautiful Alpine scenery along the way.
Jim and Weasel out on a walk near Stuttgart in Germany
A clue that the holiday season is almost upon us â a major transport of Christmas trees in Germany
Alf
About 10 days ago, couriers J and M met gorgeous ginger tabby Alf in Catania, Sicily. He was due to fly with courier Mike to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, and continue his trip to the UK from there by road.
Courier Mike queueing to check in with Alf
However, Alf couldn’t be accepted onto the flight because the handlers in Rome were unable to accommodate him. So couriers J and M dashed back inside the departures hall to retrieve Alf from courier Mike. As couriers J and M were about to head off to Malta, they returned Alf to Shauna, who had been looking after him on behalf of owner Anna and family.
Courier M with Shauna and Alf
Darling Alf. Like many ginger tabbies he’s a very friendly and laid back fellow. Except when it comes to food, where he’s quite the fusspot! So he turned his nose up at a sachet of lamb and veg wet food offered him as a special treat, preferring to stick to his usual dry food instead.
On their way back from Malta, couriers J and M collected Alf from Shauna and took him with them to Italy, where they entrusted him to Rosella, a cat sitter in Florence.
Rosella delighted to welcome Alf for a short stay
Alf keeping an eye on everything
On her way back to the UK, courier Gwen stopped by to collect Alf from Rosella. At last he was on his way to be reunited with his family in Hampshire!
Courier Gwen reports that Alf enjoyed sitting up on top of his cat box inside his bedroom
Anna welcomes Alf home
Everyone wants to give darling Alf a cuddle
Bob
Super Labrador Bob belongs to Christine and Peter. We collected him in Barga, Italy, for his journey to Yorkshire. He’s a lively fellow who loves his walks and was very obedient about jumping in and out of the van.
An evening outing at our Alpine hotel
A rest stop in France with Bob
Bob reaches his North Yorkshire home
Panda
Pomeranian Panda joined us in Switzerland. This well loved little cutie travelled with us to London.
Panda arrives to join the trip. Note her matching harness and lead!
Here she is all snuggled up in a cosy bed for the journey
Reunion for Panda in London
Aretha, Princess, Maxi, Luka and Lola
These five hounds from Croatia enjoyed the journey from Italy with courier Gwen. They spent a night in the French Alps, staying near Geneva, then motored on to Calais the next day. On reaching the UK, they received very warm welcomes from their new families and hosts. Annie, one of the UK volunteers who helped organise the dogs’ transport, wrote to say:
“Thank you and your team for all your hard work. Not only did you deliver them safely, but they were all remarkably happy and bright! It’s obvious they have been well cared for. Thank you!â
Gorgeous Terrier Maxi out walking
Cool hand Luka â part Dachshund, part basketball player!
Luka back down to earth
A soulful look from sweet-natured Lola
Bonded, lovable and loving pair Aretha and Princess
Love at first sight for Lola at her new home with Rose in Wiltshire
Maxi arriving at his new home with a very excited Beverley in Hampshire
Aretha and Princess warm and dry at home with Annie
It looks like chilly days have arrives. Stay warm.
Yes, we can expect a little more of the white stuff from now on.
Meow meow Miss Annie so many happy travellerss!!! THE weather yore Courierss xperienced was sumthing else!! Even snow! BBRRR ð
THE Lurcherss are furry handsumâŠ.Weasel lookss a lot like Alfred from THE TV seriess “Heartbeat”. Alfred poochie isss inn Summerland now butt seein Weasel brott a ð to LadyMew’ss face!
Deer Alf should get free-quent flyer milessâŠ.hee went all over THE place! What a valiant man cat!
Bob the Lab iss adoorabill; those eyess wuud melt many a heart mee thinkss! An wee Panda…what a cutie!
Furinallee wee send Guud Luck to thee Croatian 5! May Aretha an Princess an Maxi, Luka an Lola find their fur ever homes purrfect!! Luka iss mee faverite, MOL….
~~~head rubsss~~~ BellaDharma~~~
Isn’t it great to see them in their new homes! We do encounter some poor weather on the road but don’t think it’s anything to your usual snowbound days ð
Got a kick out of your Panda. My neighbors out back have a small dog named Panda as well. It’s an obvious name considering their fur! ð
Ha ha, yes, it must be the fur ð
How do you ever keep all of this straight? Wonderful stories – I just love them always!!
You don’t know the half of the complications and rearrangements that go on ‘on the road’ ð
Your photography just keeps getting better, AC. Loved the light with the photo of Jim and Weasel and the eye of Alf. âCurt
Thank you Curt. Mobile phone technology has improved considerably since when we started out 15 years ago. We were lucky to get a text through then and now we can navigate roads, send emails and take photos that do our passengers and passing scenery justice!
It must be hard for a traveller to move about in Europe without seeing one of your vans.
Not quite such a rare sight these days.
we are super fans of lurchers!!! and thanks for reminding the mama that we have still no tree… is it possible to send this truck in our direction?
Lurchers are gorgeous! You never know where it’s heading…
Oh such happy animals – although I must say poor little ginger Alf had quite an adventure reuniting with his family! I always wonder how confusing it must be for animals on journeys out of their “comfort zone” but AC does such an amazing and CARING job with them, I think they really do sense they are in the best of hands. The reunions on the other side of the travel make for happy endings. You all do amazing work.
Hugs, Pam and Teddy too
Alf’s story seemed to go on and on! We were very pleased indeed to be able to hand him into the arms of his family. He was very stoic.
Cuteness overload! ð
Weren’t they the gorgeous lot!
Looks like Winter is on its way, Annie, but with the sweet pictures of the travellers, our heart stays warm <3 Pawkisses for a Safe travel ahead to all of you