Indi, a lovely German Shepherd Dog cross, belongs to Amy, who’s relocated from Malta to the Netherlands.
Amy’s been working as an IT specialist on Malta for a couple of years. During that time, she adopted Indi from a local shelter. At the time, poor Indi had a terrible ear infection. Although it cleared up under Amy’s tender care, Indi has been left with sensitive ears. So much so that when Amy was planning her relocation to Amsterdam, the vet advised against Indi flying.
So Animalcouriers stepped in to transport the dog by road and ferry from Malta to the Netherlands.
We left the UK and headed through France and Italy, catching the ferry from Genoa to Palermo (on the island of Sicily). From Sicily it was another ferry to Malta.

Autumnal colours as we headed up to Mont Blanc

The fast ferry to Malta

Approaching Malta’s Valetta harbour
With just a few hours to spare on Malta before meeting Indi, we did a spot of sightseeing.

Someone’s ready for Christmas!

Cat houses on the edge of Ta’Qali park, Malta’s national park. It’s a very smart village for stray cats, with CCTV surveillance.

Amy seeing Indi away

The gorgeous girl herself
Having collected Indi, we crossed from Valetta to Sicily and spent the night in Pozallo.

While out walking, Indi was stalked by a very handsome Labrador called Aris, who clearly had amorous intentions. Indi retained her ladylike demeanour and between us we saw off his advances. You can just glimpse him in the background.

Spotted along the way: a herd of sheep in the charge of six Maremma sheepdogs and two venerable shepherds

More autumnal colours — this time against the snow-clad slopes of Mount Etna

The view from Etna across the lava field
To get back to the Italian mainland, we boarded the ferry from Palermo to Genoa. The ferry had pet-friendly cabins and plenty of deck space for dog walks. And we were lucky with the weather!

Indi seemed to settle in to her life as a sea-dog

Walking on deck

A glimpse of the Island of Montecristo, whose main claim to fame is that it provides the setting for part of the Alexandre Dumas novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. Today it’s an important and well protected nature reserve, home to rare Mediterranean plants and animals.
With Indi safely delivered, Amy wrote to say:
“Thank you for getting Indi to our new home. I am sooooo pleased to have her back. Now to settle in! Thanks again for everything you did to pull this off!”

Amy sent us this super photo of her and Indi taking their first proper walk in Amsterdam
Indi looks lovely!
While I must congratulate you on the beautiful photographs you have taken, I am disappointed at not seeing the Maremmas at work! 😀
She is a dear. Awfully sorry Clowie but courier M getting out to take photos wouldn’t have been appreciated by them 😀
This is lovely!!!!
Thanks!
A complete story in pictures!! Terrific!
It does give you a sense of the countries we travelled through.
Indi is so beautiful!!! we love the title… it would make a great title for a sailor song :O)
How about coming up with the first verse? 😉
You were close to my neighbourhood, kinda. Always welcome to stop for coffee and chocolate and meet Jimi! 😉
Wouldn’t that be lovely!
A wonderful story, marvelous photos – another successful reunion!
P.S. Indi looks very much like our Spike!!
She does but possibly a bit bigger?
I like that the cat village has CCTV! Indi’s a beautiful girl!
We were very taken with that!
Love the photos
Thanks. We think courier M did a fine job.
Brilliant photos.
Glad you enjoyed them.
What a wonderful set of views you had from your office window.
Don’t think courier M had much to grumble about.
Indi is a beautiful dog! And such spectacular areas the couriers pass through on their travels! I love the little cat village on the edge of the park.
We were very taken with the cat village!
Beautiful pictures, Annie and Indi is so beautiful too 🙂 Pawkisses for a Happy Week ahead and safe travels too 🙂 <3
Thanks Little B!