Failing the drug test!

So me being me, and totally paranoid about Sam getting back to Blighty, I decided to do her Blood Test early.

In order to be allowed entry into the UK, Sam needs a blood test, that has to be done by a European sanctioned testing agent, that proves she is immune from Rabies. She needs this test to be done a full 3 months prior to getting to England. So I decided to do this 4 weeks ago.

Yesterday, my Thai vet called me to let me know that she has failed this rather important blood test! How? She is vaccinated every year in time, how can she fail this test? The vet seemed at somewhat of a loss too but explained that either the vaccination she has been getting is useless, or her immunity was too low at the time of testing. Luckily I have paranoia, and have just found out in time, because she has had to have another rabies vaccine yesterday (different drug this time) and she has to wait a full month after the test for her blood to be tested again! Which means that the earliest she can leave will be the 11th October! That's if this vaccination works! Which I have to wait another 2 months to find out.

Got everything crossed for her! and told her to quit the drugs! very embarrassing to have your dog fail a drug test! even if you do live in Thailand!

Sam and I are stopping for Clogs and beer in Amsterdam

Had a lovely chat with my lovely dutch friend, Kirsten, today and looks like Sam and I are going to stay with her for a night.

Sam will be stocking up on some clogs, whilst I get the beers in with Kirsten. Might need to get her a few Dutch language lessons so that she can talk to the locals though!

Sorry Sam, we are missing out on the Red Light district!

Thanks Kirsten, can't wait to see you xxxx

Wow he is a Mine of Information

Thanks again to John, from Soi Dogs, who is making this journey seem much more easy with his help.

Sam will be going to them just before we leave, to get the very important Tapeworm vaccination, and then off to Phuket airport for her Export License. Sad news is that I wont see my baby until Amsterdam, so I will be worrying like mad that she is not too scared, they do not recommend that you sedate dogs during flights. Think I might need a sedative for the journey, never mind the dog!

Thai airways only apparently charge 70baht per kilo, so Sam at a portly 17.5 kilos, is going to be 1260 baht! Damn I might see if I can get a crate for myself (I might weigh a bit more though!).

Can't take your gun with you to England Sam!

KLM charge a quite reasonable 200 Dollars for their flight, and I can take two, so we might take a hitchhiker from Soi Dogs.

The best news is that I can pick up Sam at Schipol Airport (Amsterdam) in the Arrivals lounge, no trying to find the Animal Centre as you have to in England. So maybe I will rearrange our journey so that we catch the night ferry back to the UK on the same night. Do you think we will make it?

Plan A....

So after many discussions with John at Soi Dogs, I have realised that to transport Sam straight to London Heathrow is very expensive with British Airways and requires an agent (who seems to do nothing except pick the dog up from Heathrow), so John has recommended KLM and I have to admit, their approach seems much easier and far less expensive.

So I have decided to make a real trip of it, enabling Sam to get plenty of rest and for us to enjoy our journey home together. So here it is....

- Go to Soi Dogs in Phuket for Export license and final tapeworm vaccination before trip.
- Flight via Thai Airways to Bangkok
- Transfer to KLM and fly to Amsterdam (flight lands too late I think to continue journey)
- Stay the night, wrap Sam up in a warm coat and enable Sam to chill out for a night, at one of the many dog-friendly hotels located close to the airport.
- Enjoy a beer, give her a cuddle, sleep.
- Next day travel to the Hook of Holland via the train (1 change), dogs are welcome on the train if well behaved and muzzled.
- Embark on the StenaLine ferry to Harwich, UK. If we go on as walk in passengers they provide a kennel for Sam but you have to book.
- Arrive in England, hopefully meet the parents for the journey home.

We may also have another dog coming with us, as we have offered to help relocate a dog from Soi Dogs at the same time if they wish. Contact Soi Dogs if you too could help them.

Our journey begins...

So I decided last night to write this blog, as I am finding the rules and regulations and the expected costs when you use some airlines huge. John at Soi Dogs has been more than helpful and it dawned on me that he must find it frustrating being asked the same questions over and over again. So I am writing this to document our special trip home together and to also provide you with help and advice if you are doing the same.

Please bear in mind that the information is as up to date as possible, I will try to update it as it changes, so your feedback and advice will be hugely helpful and please feel free to ask me any questions you like (can not promise I can answer them!).

thanks

Mellisa & Sam xx