Bringing Home Baby

People keep asking me if it was difficult to bring a dog home from México. I think they expect quarantines, significant delays and loads of paperwork. However, it was incredibly simple.

In a nutshell, here's how it went:

• Andy from Peanut Pet Shelter brought Luna to the vet for a check up and some vaccinations
• Vet provided paperwork sufficient for U.S. Customs (a letter from the vet certifying her health and proving initial vaccinations complete -- additionally, there was a photo of her)
• I called U.S. Air to book her onto our flight. U.S. Air only allows pets in the cabin, not in cargo, which is one reason we brought home a puppy. Check with your carrier for pet specific requirements.
• Cost for her ticket was $100.00
• Andy drove us to the airport and provided a soft sided carrier that fit under the seat in front of us.
• Checked in at the U.S. Air counter - agent reviewed the paperwork and I paid for her ticket in person
• Went through security - took her out of her carrier & walked through the metal detector
• Boarded flight (snuck her out of her carrier for some snuggle time on the plane)
• Went through customs in Philadelphia
• Customs agent filled out a form from the Dept. of Health & Human Service which advised that we had to confine her for until 3 months of age until she could receive a rabies shot (this just means no dog parks, no socialization with other dogs - other than our own, etc)
• Customs took about 20 minutes - we were done and off to our connecting flight!

Bringing Luna home added approximately 25 minutes to our trip. Five minutes for the U.S. Air agent to process her ticket payment and 20 minutes for U.S. Customs. Funny thing is the Customs agent never even looked at Luna. I could have been bringing home a spider monkey and she wouldn't have known! However, the poor guy bringing in meats and chocolate from Europe that was there at the same time was practically given terrorist status!

Luna was an absolute perfect traveler. She was so mellow and slept most of the trip -- without drugs, I might add!

Here are some travel photos of Luna's trip home:

Saying goodbye to Tio Paulo....

At Cancun Airport with Papa & Tia Becky

On the flight home....