When I decided to go to Europe I automatically added Cooper on my itinerary. There was no way I could find someone reliable to look after Cooper for 3 weeks and 4 days ( Cooper can be reactive, needs space and doesn't like to be left alone for too long). Also, I didn't want anyone to be making their schedule around my dog for 3 weeks and it seemed like a huge favor to ask.
So I sat down at the laptop 6 months before my trip and started to learn about the entire how-to-fly-with-your-dog process.
First of all, why was flying with Cooper not an easy decision?
The reasons were:
× Separation anxiety ( He is rescue dog who was already rehomed and doesn't like to see his hooman walking away )
× 10 years old ( his health can be compromised)
× Very active dog ( doesn't know how to chill for longer than 5 hours)
× 13kg ( not allowed in a plane-cargo with me )
Our main problem was that I had to keep him calm in the crate for 14 hours ( 2 hours at the airport, 9,5 hours flight, 2 hours at the airport in our destination).
And believe me it's not as easy as you think.
So, let me tell you about our entire process, what we had to get done before flying and how much it cost us.
1) Research
I started asking people who have similar problems ( dogs over 8kg) and tried to fly with their dog ( all communication was on social media). I met amazing people who gave me millions of pieces of advice.
Unfortunately, all dog owners I talked to flew within America or Europe ( no cross ocean ), with private expensive jets ( 6000+ price per flight for a dog) , took dog in a cargo with them ( dogs lighter than 8kg ), or had a dog who can sleep in the crate forever (dogs they are trained to travel a lot and know how to handle it).
None of those were us...
2) Training
Because I didn't get a clear answer about what to do with Cooper and how he would handle the long flight ( couldn't find anyone with similar dog behavior ), I started to train him ( more than usual). We started with crate training. I decorated it, gave him a special calming scent inside and did my best to make it as positive as I could. He slept there every night. At first with an open door, later with locked. After some time I added plane sounds during the night ( I let my phone run the entire night) and occasionally unexpected loud noises.
At some point I woke up at the night and moved his crate with him inside around the room. I was trying to make him ready for the plane.
We did this until the last night before the flight.
3) Vet visit ( you all have to! )
We talked to our vet about our plans and this is what we had to do before our flight:
- get microchip ( Cooper didn't have one)
- re-do some vaccines
- get official traveling documents ( in a language of your final European destination)
- get health check
- we asked for a medication they can help Cooper to stay calm in the crate for 14 hours ( combo of trazodone and gabapentin)
4) Pick an airline
Once we knew Cooper is able to fly ( health wise) and training is going well, I started to call airlines.
And this is where the real problem starts.
There are airlines you don't want your dog to fly with ( dog is in the same area as luggage, they don't take good care of your pet, etc.).
I did some research and found two I could trust: KLM and Lufthansa .
Unfortunately, KLM didn't work for us because they don't fly further than Amsterdam/Paris/London/etc.
Lufthansa airline was my choice- with a direct flight from Vancouver to Munich.
I decided to fly directly as close as I can to Slovakia ( For our first time flying this far together I didn’t want to go with layover. Each airport has different rules for layover time and it was very confusing and difficult to find a good connection. I recommend to call an airline and always ask for the airport layover rules and times as you can’t really google it and it can change with each airline as well).
Before I booked a flight I called them to make sure I can fly with Cooper.
! You have to call first before booking a ticket because they might not have a spot for your dog for that flight!
After a quick chat they confirmed they have a spot and I booked my ticket right at that minute. At the same time I requested a ticket on the Lufthansa website for Cooper ( with Lufthansa airline you can do it online ) * you have to wait 42hours for official confirmation and you pay for your dog at the airport.
Once I received an email Cooper is accepted on the plane ( in a special dog area ) and I had my flight ticket as well, we had to finish this process with one more step
5) CFIA
It's located in Vancouver and you have to contact them. They will look at your pet traveling itinerary and will confirm you have everything done right.
! An important note: your traveling documents from your vet CAN'T be older than 10 days before your flight !
Because of this fact, we had to go back to the vet, have them filled again and go back to Vancouver to the CFIA office.
It was awful because it was 4 days before our flight to Europe and my vet didn't know this. We got it done last minute!
AT THE AIRPORT
We had absolutely amazing experience at the Vancouver airport with Lufthansa airline. Their staff totally loved Cooper, they made sure he is calm, checked all paperwork, gave him water in the crate ( make sure you have a bowl there which won't move while crate being transported), they zip tight his crate door ( so he won't get out) and they allowed me to wait to the last possible minute ( before I had to go to my security check).
They called Cooper's oversized crate a First Class ( I got Cooper a crate 2x bigger than his body size for maximum comfort).
LANDING IN MUNICH
I was nervous and didn't know what to expect. I ran to the Oversized Luggage Area ( that's the spot you pick up your dog) and was waiting for Cooper.
When he finally showed up, he was stressed and very very thirsty. Why?
Because I gave him his calming meds too early in Canada and they didn't last that long. But he was OK. I got him out from the crate and found a water for him. After 30min he was calm and happy to be with me again.
But to make sure you don't get this wrong ( I got anxious, stressed dog at the airport, indeed) let me tell you right away how was our flight back after 3 weeks of amazing vacation.
LANDING IN VANCOUVER
We were flying back to Canada from the same airport in Munich. This time I was waiting with Cooper's calming medication until the last minute which was 2 hours before my flight supposed to take off. I was expecting the same service and prices for Cooper as we got in Vancouver but I was a bit shocked how European Lufthansa airline was!
First of all, they didn’t fill Cooper's labels for his crate ( I had to finish it with airport staff later). They didn't provide water for him and didn't care much about my dog. Then they calculated that I have to pay 580$ for Cooper's flight home. Same airline, same dog, same crate, same flying route. I was furious and I am fighting this crazy price as I am writing this article.
I was so worried Cooper would be stressed from the entire airport situation ( I am sure I was screaming at the airport staff at some point) and I left him there hoping the calming meds will work this time.
Lucky me, in Vancouver, when I was waiting for him near the oversized luggage door, he showed up sleeping like a baby in his crate nor realizing the flight is over and we are back in Canada! It was such a relief and I know now that giving him medication closer to the flight will do the trick.
PRICES
Vet Bills 355$ ( Traveling documentation was 190$ )
CFIA Approval stamp 22$
Flight ticket to Munich 75$ ( crate size L, Cooper’s weight is 13kg )
Flight ticket to Vancouver 580$ ( still fighting this nonsense, max price for one way is 220$)
And If I would ever fly with Cooper again?
YES.
There is nothing better than climbing mountains with him and see him happy by my side.
