Pet Move of the Month: Freya and Odin Move to Texas
When planning to move your pet's across the world, it's important to be prepared for anything. No matter how many times you've done this, there can always be new challenges. That's what veteran pet traveler, Tracy, found when it was time to move her two boxers, Odin and Freya. COVID-19 and heat embargoes and a long separation kept our team busy, but it was all worth it to see this happy family reunited. Now, they're the story of the month! Read on to hear all about their amazing journey.
Tell us about your pets! What are their personalities like and how did they come to join your family?
Odin came to us first, as a pup. Freya came to us a year later. Odin was very unsure of her at first, but within 24 hours had accepted her, and they have been inseparable ever since. Freya is quite clearly in charge, which is fortunate, as at 40kg (88 lbs), Odin is more than 12Kg (26 lb) heavier than she is! They are both very cuddly, family-centered dogs, who love to snuggle up on the sofa. Freya likes her tuggy toys, and Odin is ball-obsessed!!
Did you have any experience in moving pets across the world before, or was this your first time?
This is Odin and Freya's first move. Prior to this we moved our previous dog, Chloe, a number of times with PetRelocation. She certainly was a worldwide traveller, moving 5 times internationally in 12 years!
Due to their breed, extra precautions had to be taken. What advice would you give to someone whose fur-baby is a snub-nosed pet?
We were already aware of the problems brachycephalic dogs might encounter on long haul flights. Their short noses can make breathing difficult, and flight options are very limited, since many carriers will not accept them. That is why I would advise anyone with such dogs to choose a reputable shipping company, who are aware of the issues the dogs might face.
What value was PetRelocation able to provide to your pet’s journey?
PetRelocation are quite clearly on top of their game. They can organize, change, and adapt to extreme circumstances, which I do not think we could have managed, and particularly not in the current climate. The dogs should have been shipped in April before the heat embargo at Houston International airport came into effect. Their flight was canceled due to the pandemic. Then we had problems in transferring ourselves due to COVID-19 restrictions. We ordered the crates and everything was then put on hold, until we could be sure that we were actually moving at all.
Your relocation coordinator was Jill Rush. Was she able to give you some peace of mind during this stressful time?
Jill Rush, our coordinator, kept calm and in control of the process, through innumerable heat embargoes and flight changes. Odin and Freya were collected by a very kind and gentle person at 4am from our home in Louth, and eventually shipped from London Heathrow into Atlanta. Then from Atlanta, they were actually driven to Katy, Texas, in the middle of the night, because the driver knew a storm was coming and wanted to avoid it. The little things make a big difference to both owners and pets.
Your pets were separated from your family for some time. Were they
Odin and Freya stayed at a kennel for a number of weeks, but we did visit them. I’m sure they were confused, but they were remarkably well on landing. In fact, we wasted a lot of energy stressing where none was needed! They were perfectly healthy and happy after their trip.
You’re all now reunited in Katy, Texas. How are Freya and Odin enjoying their new hometown? Are there any great parks or other pet-friendly places you can take them during this time?
They have now settled happily into their new home, and are very much the same as ever, asking for biscuits, taking up all the space on the sofa, and charging after squirrels! They are getting used to the warm weather but neither of them has ventured more than ankle-deep into our pool!
What an incredible story! Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. Do you have questions about moving with your pets? Let us know! We'd love to assist you.