on the road with Animalcouriers

Courier Gwen hit the road with Buddy from Norway, transporting him and his owner Richard all the way to Somerset. On the way to pick them up, she dropped off Leo the cat in the Netherlands. Other recent collections in the Nordics include dogs Pablo and Rory, and cats Hecuba and Ganymede.

Pablo, a dog from Denmark to London

We collected handsome hound Pablo in Copenhagen for his journey to London and a reunion with owner Ella.

Pablo on board

Pablo delighted to see Ella again

Hecuba and Ganymede, two cats from Copenhagen to London

Also in Copenhagen we collected cats Hecuba and Ganymede — what wonderful names! In Greek mythology, Hecuba was a queen who was said to be ‘beautiful, pious and just’; while Ganymede was a divine hero, described by Homer as ‘the most handsome of mortals’.

Owner William gives Hecuba and Ganymede a warm welcome in south London

Rory, a dog from Norway to Dubai via London

In Haugesund, Norway, we met up with lovely Rory, who belongs to Nathan. Rory travelled with us to London en route to his final destination, Dubai.

Walking with Rory

We stopped at the city of Kristiansand, which was founded in 1641 by Christian IV. He built the Christiansholm fortress to defend the city. Today Kristiansand is the largest city in southern Norway whose busy port is a hub for both trade and tourism.

It wouldn’t be a real fortress without a few cannons!

Leo, a cat from Kent to the Netherlands

We collected Natalie’s tabby cat Leo from the Seathwaite Boarding Cattery in Canterbury, where he seemed to have been very well looked after. We took him to Travel Vets to prepare his animal health certificate (AHC) for his journey to mainland Europe. After a one-night stopover in Belgium, he was safely delivered to his family in north Holland.

Such a regal fellow!

Such excitement to have Leo home!

Buddy, a dog from Norway to England

From the Netherlands we drove on to Steinkjer in Norway to collect sweet Bearded Collie Buddy and his devoted owner Richard. Buddy is a sweet dog who enjoyed the trip — happy to jump in and out of the van, and treating the whole thing as a real adventure.

Having arrived and got settled in Somerset, Richard wrote to say:

“I recently had to relocate from the geographical centre of Norway to Somerset in the UK. I looked at every way of getting back with my best friend, Buddy and the only way was a road trip. That’s where Animalcouriers came in. I contacted them and they organised everything. The trip for us lasted four days from Norway to Sweden to Denmark to Germany to the Netherlands to Belgium to France and then Somerset. Gwen from Animalcouriers was a real marvel of organisation and driving. Buddy seemed to enjoy the trip so I was happy. I can’t thank everyone at Animalcouriers enough, especially Julia and Gwen. I highly recommend Animalcouriers as the only way to move your best friends.”

On the way to collect Buddy and Richard, courier Gwen had time to visit the Aukrust Centre in Alvdal, situated in one of Norway’s many beautiful valleys. The centre houses the life work of Norwegian artist Kjell Aukrust.

A welcoming duck sculpture at the door

Aukrust’s sculpture of one of Norway’s signature animals, the moose

Another moose sculpture spotted along the way

Meeting Buddy and Richard in Steinkjer

Buddy and Richard enjoying a leg stretch

Buddy shared Richard’s hotel rooms

Saying goodbye to Buddy and Richard in Somerset