Have Dog, Will Travel

Before leaving for Munich, we did a bit of research to make sure that Panda was welcome on both French and German trains. As you've already guessed, it turns out she was - under certain conditions. You're supposed to carry a muzzle with you, in case a neighbor is uncomfortable with your dog's gaping, bloody jaws. Also, a neighbor can ask for you and your dog to be moved. Dogs under 7 kg don't need tickets (it's assumed they can travel in a small bag and/or on your lap) but dogs over 7 kg require reduced rate or children's tickets.

We also read that conductors rarely ask for a dog's ticket, so we decided to play it by ear and only buy a ticket for Panda if someone asked us to on the train. In four ticket-checking situations, only once did a conductor inform us that Panda needed a ticket - and that was probably only because we mistakenly drew attention to her. (She had just chewed off her harness, and we were busy trying not to let her sprint down the aisle in search of the dining car.) Most of the conductors didn't even seem to notice her as she lay quietly at our feet.

All in all, traveling with Panda by train was a pleasant experience. And the single ticket we had to buy was still cheaper than boarding her at the local kennel. Still, I can't help but wonder whether Panda might have gotten to Munich faster on her own four feet . . .

Panda Can Fly!

A lot of people have been asking how Panda will travel. Will she come with us in the cabin? Will she be sedated?

The answer to both of these question is no. Only dogs under 15 lbs. can travel in the cabin, because they have to be in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. At a solid 26 lbs., Panda is too heavy (and way too long) to be accepted in the cabin.

And since she can't be in the cabin, she can't be sedated, since she'll need her balance if things shift in cargo. That's right - we're checking Panda (in her crate). She'll be in a climate- and pressure-controlled area, and we'll leave food and water (and feeding instructions) in case the plane has to hang out for a while.

We also have to leave all kinds of information on her crate: a signed and dated statement that she's been fed and watered within the last four hours; a few "this side up" and "live animal" signs; and at least one "My Name is Panda" sign so the baggage handlers treat her tenderly and lovingly.

Most of this info comes from the American Airlines site, and my impression is that it's consistent across airlines (the ones that transport dogs, anyway).

♫ ninety- ninety- ninety-six hours to go - oh - oh, Panda wants to be sedated . . . ♫

She's ready to go!

Phew!

Panda's travel documents came in the mail today, signed and sealed by our state vet. Thanks, Louis, for getting all the forms together and making sure Panda is ready for her big adventure!

Certifying Panda

Way back on May 1st, we posted a "to do" list for our trip. With nearly two months to go, we've completed most things on that list:

Get long-stay visa

Arrange health insurance

Find a place to live (ideally 1 bedroom, not a studio)

Find subletter

Make monthly budget

Contact French scholars

Email French friends/family

Find/take a picture to headline this blog

Figure out Panda's travel arrangements

Book flight(s)

Find other useful Americans-in-Paris blogs; steal their ideas

Sign up for classes

It may seem silly that the most important figure in this blog - Panda! - is the last one to get set to go. But yesterday we made progress in rectifying that situation.

Panda and I went to the vet after having acquainted ourselves with all the rules and regulations concerning exporting an animal to France. We got her microchipped. She got two out of four yearly vaccinations, as well as year-long Heartguard and Prozac prescriptions (why Prozac?). And most importantly, Dr. Ulrich filled out both a USDA International Health Certificate and the French health certificate, both of which we'll need to make it through customs. The USDA certificate I mailed (along with a rabies vaccination certificate, the $34 fee, and a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope) to the Massachusetts State Veterinarian (find yours here!) so they can stamp it and send it back to me.

What remains? Panda needs to go back to the vet two days before we leave to get her last shots (apparently they need to be given 24-72 hours before leaving), which will be recorded on the French health certificate. The vet will also fill out one more (different) health certificate for the airline, which promises that Panda is capable of withstanding normal flying conditions. The rest happens at the airport (more on that later).

Cliff's Notes, just in case that was confusing:

Panda needs . . .

• to be microchipped (✓)
• to be up-to-date on rabies, tick, worm, and other vaccines/treatments (½ ✓)
• a USDA International Health Certificate, filled out by her vet, stamped by the State Vet, and returned to her owners (½ ✓)
• a French/European Union Veterinary Certificate, filled out by her vet, submitted at customs (½ ✓)
• a certificate, filled out by her vet within 10 days of leaving, confirming her ability to withstand normal flying conditions

Panda is well on her way!

Airfare Purchased

Put it on your calendars, because it's official now: we leave August 31st, at 6:40 pm, from Boston's Logan International Airport.

We arrive at Paris-Charles de Gaulle on September 1st, at 7:35 am, at which point we will take a cab to our apartment (exact location TBA) and pass out.

(For those of you planning on traveling with a pet - we found that American Airlines charges the lowest rates for carrying-on or checking an animal ($100 and $150 respectively). USAirways doesn't allow pets on international flights. (Booo, hisss!) Delta charges $550 to check a pet. United, I can't remember, but it's more expensive than American. Luckily, we'll be flying American.)

Dogs of Paris

A lot of people have expressed interest in the logistics of bringing Panda to Paris, and I, too, am interested in how that works. Maggie?

Seriously though, getting her there shouldn't be a big deal. No quarantine is required, and while most airlines have a rule about not flying dogs in checked baggage when the temperature is above 85, you can always pay a little more to fly the dog in cargo, which (I think?) is air-conditioned.

Once we get there, my impression is that Paris is an extremely dog-friendly city. We should be able to bring her into most stores, many restaurants, pretty much all cafes, you get the idea. And if Panda's Somerville popularity is any indication, she should be a great conversation starter with random people on the street. (I get stopped at least three times a day by people who want to know what breed she is, how old she is, whether their child can pet her . . . )

We're confident that we won't have any trouble getting her there. We're less confident (or maybe just more ignorant) about the logistics of dog-owning in Paris. Do they carry the brand of dog food she's used to? How much do kennels or dog-walkers cost? We already know we can't bring her on the metro or any other trains, which is a huge bummer. Will Panda's walky-dog attachment fit onto the Velib bikes?

Stay tuned to find out . . .