I have started doing a little research on our trip to Italy. My language school is in Montepulciao, Italy (where they will allow me to bring Seymour to class) and I wanted to find out a little more about the city since we will be there for 4 weeks. Here are some interesting facts I've found:
Twilight Saga: New Moon used Montepulciano as the City of Volterra,the city where the Volturi live. I'm a Twilight fan so I can't wait see where they filmed!
Montepulciano is a major producer of food and drink. Montepulciano is known world-wide for its fabulous wine. Wine connoisseurs consider its Vino Nobile among Italy's best. I am glad that I won't have a car. I just have to be careful not to drop the wine - or Seymour!
Montepulciano is also known for its pork, cheese, "pici" pasta (a thick, rough, chewy variant on spaghetti), lentils, and honey. So much for thinking I'll lose weight because we will be walking most places! Seymour is a big cheese fan so he may end up gaining a bit of weight, himself. He will have to be careful, though, because some of the hotels limit pets by weight - under 10 pounds, usually. He's at 7 pounds 4 ounces right now!
The trip is feeling more real. I think I need to start doing a little more planning. We do have 3 months there and I don't want to miss anything important!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Seymour's on a Pre-Travel Schedule - UPDATED
We are actually cutting it close now with getting Seymour ready for our trip. We are leaving in about 7 weeks. He got his new microchip last Friday. Today he had to get another Rabies vaccination - even though his last one hasn't expired yet. One of these days, I hope countries will all agree that Rabies vaccines should only be given once every 3 years - at the most. I just read that most vaccine companies say that the vaccine actually lasts seven years. I believe that the less drugs in the system, the better.
We already scheduled his next visit which has to occur in 30 days. That is when he gets his blood test to show that his "rabies neutralizing antibody titre is greater than 0.5 IU/ ml". (We don't have to understand it, we just have to do it)
Then it takes about 2 weeks after the blood test to get the results.
We will then have to go back to the vet to get the Health Certificate signed. The airline health certificate must be signed within 10 days of travel.
One thing I want to mention again is that the dates on all of the pet health forms must be written in the European style of DD-MM-YYYY. The best way to do it would be to write "12 July 2011" to make it clear. I had to rip up 3 forms because I kept forgetting to write the date that way!
Lastly, I will take EU form 998, which will be signed by our Vet, IN BLUE INK (yep, has to be blue), to the USDA, with a check for $36.00, so that they can certify that our vet is an accredited veterinarian! I just left a message with the local USDA office to be sure I can just make an appointment to take in the form and have it certified instead of having to mail it. I don't want that form to leave my hands if possible.
UPDATE: I heard back from the USDA and I don't need an appointment to go there because I can only drop off the form with a stamped self-addressed envelope and they say the turn-around time will be 24 to 48 hours. I feel my heart racing already. We can't cut it much closer to our departure date - and mail delivery to my house is always late. We'll see!!!
And here I am, getting on a plane not needing any certification that I am healthy (mentally or physically) or have current immunizations. Interesting -
But, we are doing everything they tell us to do to get Seymour to Italy.
We already scheduled his next visit which has to occur in 30 days. That is when he gets his blood test to show that his "rabies neutralizing antibody titre is greater than 0.5 IU/ ml". (We don't have to understand it, we just have to do it)
Then it takes about 2 weeks after the blood test to get the results.
We will then have to go back to the vet to get the Health Certificate signed. The airline health certificate must be signed within 10 days of travel.
One thing I want to mention again is that the dates on all of the pet health forms must be written in the European style of DD-MM-YYYY. The best way to do it would be to write "12 July 2011" to make it clear. I had to rip up 3 forms because I kept forgetting to write the date that way!
Lastly, I will take EU form 998, which will be signed by our Vet, IN BLUE INK (yep, has to be blue), to the USDA, with a check for $36.00, so that they can certify that our vet is an accredited veterinarian! I just left a message with the local USDA office to be sure I can just make an appointment to take in the form and have it certified instead of having to mail it. I don't want that form to leave my hands if possible.
UPDATE: I heard back from the USDA and I don't need an appointment to go there because I can only drop off the form with a stamped self-addressed envelope and they say the turn-around time will be 24 to 48 hours. I feel my heart racing already. We can't cut it much closer to our departure date - and mail delivery to my house is always late. We'll see!!!
And here I am, getting on a plane not needing any certification that I am healthy (mentally or physically) or have current immunizations. Interesting -
But, we are doing everything they tell us to do to get Seymour to Italy.
Friday, July 8, 2011
European Microchip and Health Record
Today Seymour got his microchip for Italy put in. He's now a two chip dog! The opening on the needle is a bit bigger than for a regular immunization but the vet and his assistant did a great job of keeping Seymour's attention while they did it and he didn't even flinch - of course I did!
What I learned about the European microchip is that it is probably cheaper to get it from the vet, even if they have to order it, than it is to order it from one of the pet travel companies. I had thought about ordering it for $49.95 (plus shipping) but decided to just get it through the vet. It ended up costing me about $36.00, including the vet visit. So, I would recommend checking on which is less expensive.
I had also ordered the Pet Passport, which was supposed to include some passport carrier as well as the forms that were supposed to be emailed and sent to me. I only received the email and even after writing to them to tell them I did not receive the mailing, I got no response. I could have downloaded all of those forms - for free. They did email me the info on what needs to be done for Italy, but again I could have found that myself. Another lesson learned.
While reviewing the AirFrance website, it did not say that we need to have a Pet Health Certificate for the plane, although other airlines require it. While I was at the vets, they told me about a woman who didn't have a Pet Health Certificate when she went to the airport (probably because she read the same info I read) and she found out that she did need it, and they couldn't board the plane. I recommend that everyone get a Pet Health Certificate completed and have it with them, along with the other necessary paperwork. In this case, more is better.
It is still my fear that I won't have all of Seymour's paperwork together and we won't be able to get on the plane. I'm sure I'll worry about that until I'm actually sitting on the plane - or maybe until I go through customs in Rome!
What I learned about the European microchip is that it is probably cheaper to get it from the vet, even if they have to order it, than it is to order it from one of the pet travel companies. I had thought about ordering it for $49.95 (plus shipping) but decided to just get it through the vet. It ended up costing me about $36.00, including the vet visit. So, I would recommend checking on which is less expensive.
I had also ordered the Pet Passport, which was supposed to include some passport carrier as well as the forms that were supposed to be emailed and sent to me. I only received the email and even after writing to them to tell them I did not receive the mailing, I got no response. I could have downloaded all of those forms - for free. They did email me the info on what needs to be done for Italy, but again I could have found that myself. Another lesson learned.
While reviewing the AirFrance website, it did not say that we need to have a Pet Health Certificate for the plane, although other airlines require it. While I was at the vets, they told me about a woman who didn't have a Pet Health Certificate when she went to the airport (probably because she read the same info I read) and she found out that she did need it, and they couldn't board the plane. I recommend that everyone get a Pet Health Certificate completed and have it with them, along with the other necessary paperwork. In this case, more is better.
It is still my fear that I won't have all of Seymour's paperwork together and we won't be able to get on the plane. I'm sure I'll worry about that until I'm actually sitting on the plane - or maybe until I go through customs in Rome!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Italian Lesson - Number One
I had my first lesson on "Italian for Travelers" tonight. I'm taking this 7 session course to prepare me for my 4 week language course in Italy. Oh boy, is it difficult for me! I think I'm the worst in the class. When we repeat phrases all together, I am OK but when she asks us individually to say something, I cannot pronounce a thing! Luckily I have until next Monday to practice so maybe I'll get to next to the bottom of the class. I'm so glad I'm doing this. I feel more comfortable feeling stupid in the USA than in Italy. Unfortunately I will still need to figure out on my own how to say things like:
"Can I bring my dog?"
"Do you have a room that allows dogs?"
"Can the dog ride on the bus . . . train. . .?"
"Where can I walk my dog?"
"Where can I buy dogfood?"
"Do I need to clean that up?"
I have seen none of those phrases in the course book. So much to learn!
"Can I bring my dog?"
"Do you have a room that allows dogs?"
"Can the dog ride on the bus . . . train. . .?"
"Where can I walk my dog?"
"Where can I buy dogfood?"
"Do I need to clean that up?"
I have seen none of those phrases in the course book. So much to learn!
Health Records Forms Sent to Vet
I called my vet and told them I had the information and forms needed for Seymour to travel to Italy. They said they had the 13 digit microchip so I didn't have to purchase it and bring it in. I emailed them the forms. We probably have another couple of weeks before he needs to go in for his microchip and then he will need to go back for any immunizations he will need. About 2 weeks before we leave we will need to go back to get his health record filled out so I can take it to be signed.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Taking a Dog From Naples to Capri
I was told that when we are in Italy, I need to go to Naples and then take the ferry or hydroplane to the Isle of Capri. So, I did my internet search and found the company that has the ferry and hydroplane and wrote to see if I could bring a small dog.
They wrote back and said "It is possible to bring a dog". Yipee!
Actually, it's not a hydroplane but a hydrofoil. The cost is 11 euros for the ferry one way and 17 euros for the hydrofoil.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Can Pets Walk on a Leash in an Airport? (Updated 6-20)
I'm planning ahead and checking to see if Seymour will be allowed out of his crate between flights. I haven't checked with the airports in Paris or Rome, but since they are very dog-friendly in Europe, I'm just going to let him walk on a leash there. In the USA, things are a little different. This is what I found out about the Austin airport.
Austin Airport Rules about pets state:
"Pets, including dogs and other animals, are not allowed in the terminal, as per City Ordinance § 13-1-33 Restrictions on Animals except for:
an animal used by a law enforcement officer in the officer’s performance of duties;
a seeing-eye dog escorting a visually impaired person, or other service animal being used for assistance by a person with disabilities; or
an animal that is being delivered to, or picked up from, an air carrier for transportation
Visitors who are not ticketed passengers may not bring their pets inside the terminal, including bag claim and the ticket lobby unless it meets one of the above exceptions.
Ticketed passengers with pets or a person responsible for an animal being shipped by an air carrier must:
restrain the animal by a leash or carry the animal in a cage approved for airline use;
take the animal directly to the air carrier for shipment; and
Remove the animal from the terminal as soon as delivery of the animal is taken from the air carrier.
A traveler carrying an animal in the secure area or through a screening point onto an aircraft must at all times keep the animal in a cage approved for airline use. Service animals are not subject to these rules.."
So, basically they are saying that pets have to be in their carriers after they go through security.
Since we will be transferring to another flight in Atlanta, I wrote to the Atlanta airport to see if I can walk Seymour on a leash or if he has to stay in the crate. I sure hope he can get out and stretch his legs! I'll let you know.
UPDATE 6-20: Response from Raj Nayar from Atlanta International Airtport: "While transferring the flight, the dog must be in his crate." DANG!
It seems that most airport websites don't automatically cover this bit of information. I've read that even if an airport has a policy that you have to keep your dog in a crate, they are sometimes flexible and won't say anything if they are walking on a leash.
Those little guys need to stretch their legs as much as we do!
Austin Airport Rules about pets state:
"Pets, including dogs and other animals, are not allowed in the terminal, as per City Ordinance § 13-1-33 Restrictions on Animals except for:
an animal used by a law enforcement officer in the officer’s performance of duties;
a seeing-eye dog escorting a visually impaired person, or other service animal being used for assistance by a person with disabilities; or
an animal that is being delivered to, or picked up from, an air carrier for transportation
Visitors who are not ticketed passengers may not bring their pets inside the terminal, including bag claim and the ticket lobby unless it meets one of the above exceptions.
Ticketed passengers with pets or a person responsible for an animal being shipped by an air carrier must:
restrain the animal by a leash or carry the animal in a cage approved for airline use;
take the animal directly to the air carrier for shipment; and
Remove the animal from the terminal as soon as delivery of the animal is taken from the air carrier.
A traveler carrying an animal in the secure area or through a screening point onto an aircraft must at all times keep the animal in a cage approved for airline use. Service animals are not subject to these rules.."
So, basically they are saying that pets have to be in their carriers after they go through security.
Since we will be transferring to another flight in Atlanta, I wrote to the Atlanta airport to see if I can walk Seymour on a leash or if he has to stay in the crate. I sure hope he can get out and stretch his legs! I'll let you know.
UPDATE 6-20: Response from Raj Nayar from Atlanta International Airtport: "While transferring the flight, the dog must be in his crate." DANG!
It seems that most airport websites don't automatically cover this bit of information. I've read that even if an airport has a policy that you have to keep your dog in a crate, they are sometimes flexible and won't say anything if they are walking on a leash.
Those little guys need to stretch their legs as much as we do!
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