THE GUERNSEY KENNEL CLUB

It has been a long held ambition of ours to own another Australian Shepherd. Those that have been showing for some years may remember us showing our now 11 year old Aussie, Kona, in the import register classes, and competing against Di Abbott's first Cesky Terrier from Jersey. Due to the temperament and eye problems that we experienced with Kona, we were forced to stop showing her, and had long ago decided that if we were ever to own another Aussie, then we would look to America, the home of the Aussie (yes, that's right, America not Australia - but that's a story for another time!) to import a dog from very different bloodlines. The chance to realise this long held dream suddenly came true last January, when we were offered the chance of a two year old red-tri male, with 12 out of his 15 AKC Championship Points.

The DEFRA PETS scheme (or pet passport) applies to some non EU countries, including the USA, so there would be no need for quarantine if the rules were followed. The dog has to be microchipped and then vaccinated for rabies. Then, following a successful blood test, the dog can travel in six months time. 48 hours before he travels he has to have a heartworm tablet and a flea and tick treatment, and he can travel into the UK on an 'approved route'. In theory, straightforward! Connecticut law requires dogs to be microchipped and rabies vaccinated anyway, so we were part way there.

DEFRA's website lists approved airlines, and from New York or Boston (the nearest airports to Connecticut where Derby's breeder lived) you could fly to Manchester, Heathrow, Gatwick or Bristol. A phone call to Ward Aviation in Bristol, revealed that for your dog's paperwork to be processed took just an hour, whereas the bigger airports could take up to 4 hours. This after a long transatlantic flight was definitely a huge consideration! So, Continental Airlines to Bristol was our choice. Interestingly, the man at Ward's said during our phone conversation that the biggest problem with dogs imported from the USA was sloppy paperwork, things not signed or dated properly, which could lead to the dog being quarantined, and to be careful! How prophetic this warning turned out to be!

Derby was revaccinated for rabies and a blood 'titer' (sample to you and me) sent to the only DEFRA/USDA approved laboratory in the USA at Kansas State University. A few weeks and $40 later, we were told that Derby had passed his blood test - now we just had to wait for the 6 months to pass! Derby's breeder continued to show Derby in the USA for us, to gain those last 3 AKC Championship points, and he gained his last point in July at the Holyoke Kennel Clubs show by winning Open Red (Australian Shepherd) and going 'Best of Winners' under Jack Ireland.

Eventually, the time arrived to go to the States to collect our boy. Overnight boat to Portsmouth, drive to Bristol, Travel Inn over night, drive to the airport next morning and catch my flight - that was the plan. However, just outside Bath my car coughed, spluttered and died! The RAC man was there within 40 minutes, listened to the engine, shook his head, and then towed me to a garage. The garage owner started the engine, and using an expletive starting with 'F' told me that the car was beyond repair! What now? Flight to catch . . . Luckily a there was a taxi firm next door. Although an expensive alternative to my own car, a taxi ride to the Travel Inn allowed me to continue my journey. What luck that I had some time in hand!

At the airport the next the morning, it took an hour and a half to of queuing check in, with lots of security and questions, all of which you were asked several times by different people as you queued. I made my way to the café as there was time for some breakfast and a cup of tea before going through security. Suddenly, there was a message over the tannoy calling me back to the check in desk. "Would you be prepared to fly from Heathrow, Business Class with Virgin Atlantic this afternoon instead?". My flight was over-booked and they needed someone to change flights. A nice offer, but I had to say no, people were driving two hours to collect me and with the time difference it was about 4 am their time, how could I let them know? As the time came to board the flight they were still calling passengers forward to change their flight and eventually a bespectacled gentleman volunteered to change. Next, there was another message over the tannoy and I am again called, this time to make myself known to staff at the departure gate. "Can we have your boarding card please?" - it's torn up in front of my eyes and I'm given a different one! Please would I be discreet, but they're upgrading me to Business Class!! Their volunteer had given up a business class seat! Discreet I was, but I must have had a grin like a Cheshire Cat! Big comfy reclining seat, wine with my meal that came on a plate and not in a plastic box, own video screen with choice of movies - and yes, I'd love another glass of wine - what a hardship!

New England in the fall was an ambition realised - beautiful! The colours of the trees and wooded landscape were stunning, along with the timber clad houses. My time was spent getting to know Derby, walking him, visiting a large pet supplier to buy some of those things that you just can't find in the UK, visiting other Aussie breeders with their new puppies, and of course other things US like Dunkin' Donuts, Wal-Mart and a Hibachi Grill! My few days just flew by! Nice company, nice place, lots of dogs, what more could you want?

"England and America are two countries separated by a common language" wrote George Bernard Shaw - how true this is! According to the information provided by DEFRA, Derby's paperwork had to be signed by 'an official vet', but what was meant by the term 'official vet'? Derby's vet that had done all the rabies vaccinations was an 'accredited vet' - but is that official? I had made a phone call to DEFRA before I left to clarify this point, and it was explained that it meant a vet from the USDA (US Department of Agriculture). So, prior to his visit for the flea and tick treatment, his paperwork had all been sent to the USDA and it had all been signed and returned to his regular vet. With a mind to what the man from Bristol had said, I checked the forms, all signed and dated where it should be, so all systems go!

Finally the day to return home came. Derby was loaded into the car for the two hour drive to the airport, and off we set. I made a phone call to the airline before we left, just to check details about his airline box (or kennel as it was referred to!) - It had to be big enough so that he could stand with 3 inches above his head, room to turn around and holes for ventilation in all four sides. There had to be an old towel in the bottom, as it is absorbent and, as he was not allowed water in his box, he had to have ice which would melt slowly in his water dish. A bag of food had to be taped to the outside of his box in case of delay.

We had to go to Continentals Quikpak Office, but why put it up on the 2nd floor of the airport I just don't know! Dog, kennel, luggage, trolley and three people in a lift 'sure is fun' as the Americans say! At last Derby's box was on the scales, he went inside and was weighed, and then the man said: "I'm sorry, but this dog can't travel. His paperwork hasn't been signed by the USDA." "Yes it has! Look, it's signed and numbered here and here!!" "But it hasn't got a stamp on it - It's got to have an embossed stamp on it - we can't accept him." "Stamp? What do you mean stamp? It's been sent to the USDA and they've signed it, look!" The words of the man from Bristol were coming true! Sloppy paperwork! The 'official vet' should have embossed the paperwork with an official government seal - and hadn't! Frantic phone calls back to the vet in Connecticut, who phoned the USDA in California, but there was no solution. Derby couldn't travel, and as time was now short, I had to leave him with his breeder to drive him all the way back home and hopefully solve the problem the next day and then Derby could travel. Downhearted I checked in, went through security and phoned Carol at about 2 am UK time - bad news Derby wasn't coming. I flew back to Bristol, economy class - no upgrade this time. Had they wanted someone to fly tomorrow I would have readily volunteered this time, but 'sods law', it's not offered when you want it!

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when Derby's breeder went to the USDA's office in Hartford early the next day! This time everything was duly stamped as it should have been in the first place, and he was again driven to the airport the catch next flight to Bristol. This time all was okay, and Derby was accepted - (and a day late) he was on his way!

Luckily, I stayed overnight with Anne & Eric Le Page, and as luck would have it they had a cheap and cheerful second-hand car for sale which I bought. I had to drive 87 miles back to Bristol from the New Forest the next morning, and then find Ward Aviation's hangar which was located in a small lane that even Guernsey would have been proud of. No one there! I phoned the number on the gate, "Yes, yes, I'm on my way!" said the harassed sounding gentleman. He arrived a few minutes later. Derby's flight had arrived early, and as he was unlocking the gate, he had another phone call asking him to collect Derby from the aircraft.

All through my contact with the handling companies in the UK, they were obsessed with the fact that I needed to complete a C5 form for Customs and Excise, so that they could charge me VAT for Derby. My protestations that as we are from Guernsey we shouldn't pay VAT really didn't elicit any kind of answer. In the end out of desperation I made a visit to Customs here in Guernsey and the man there told me I actually needed a T1 transit form for Derby as he was only in transit through the UK on his way to the Channel Islands. This would have to be given to Customs on Derby's arrival in Guernsey. The T1 form idea was finally accepted by the handling company - the senior man there was only concerned about who in Guernsey would 'discharge' the form on Derby's arrival. The easy answer was that Customs do this.

I seemed to be nervously waiting for ages in the waiting room whilst Derby's paperwork was processed, and the T1 form was drawn up. As this was now being done on Saturday and not Friday it cost an extra £40. Finally, the paperwork was processed; I was given the completed T1 form and taken to the holding pen to collect Derby. He was naturally pleased to see me, and I was naturally pleased to see him too! The airline box was placed in the car and we were on our way, surely nothing else could go wrong!

I had to change my original Condor booking when Derby had been delayed. However, Sunday was the last day of the half-term holiday, so the boat was full. I could travel as a foot passenger and Derby could travel in his box on the car-deck, but there was no room for the car. As I had to be at work next day, I had no choice but accept this. My car would travel home (by itself) the next day.

That evening on the local Meridian TV news it was reported that Weymouth Port had been closed by a bomb scare. A fishing boat had dredged up a World War II mine - and then thoughtfully brought it back into port! In the words of Victor Meldrew, "I don't believe it!". I phoned Condor's helpline which said that the ferry would now leave from Poole instead, but what about the car? Their offices were closed and I couldn't contact them. Early next morning Derby and I set off, still unable to contact Condor. I stopped several times on the way to phone Condor, but I was not able to speak to anyone until 7.30 and I was nearly at Weymouth. I asked the lady about the ferry, yes, it was going from Poole - but what about my car, did they want that in Poole or Weymouth? She didn't know and would check. No, the car had to go to Weymouth and I had to go to Poole, but they were running a coach from Weymouth to Poole at 9 am. But what about the dog? Again she didn't know, but if it was a problem they would get me a taxi! So, we continued our drive to Weymouth. My belongings were left with the car, whilst Derby, his airline box and I were taken on a coach to Poole. As passengers handed the driver their suitcases to be loaded into the boot of the coach, the driver gave me a most peculiar look as I handed him Derby's airline box instead of a suitcase! "Just to be different!" I said to him.

Derby took his coach journey in his stride, happy to sit in the aisle as we travelled through the Dorset countryside, and more than happy to be fussed by the other passengers as they passed by him. We arrived at Poole, and went to check-in. Queuing with a dog and airline box balanced on a luggage trolley really is quite awkward. And, today was THE day that Customs decided to scan and search everyone's bags and frisk them as they went through check-in! Except, that was until they saw Derby - we were called across from the long slow queue to one side and just waved through! A very helpful gentleman handling baggage helped me load Derby's box onto the transfer bus, and off again and onto the Condor. Derby's box was placed in the middle of the car deck, and he willingly went inside!

At last I sat back and relaxed in my reclining seat with some relief as the ferry made its way through Poole Harbour, the final step, I'd be back in Guernsey in about two hours, only to have the captain come onto the loudspeaker system and tell us that travel to Guernsey would take 3½ hours as they had 'technical problems' - the famed three-engine syndrome! I just couldn't believe it! A check on Derby somewhere in the middle of the English Channel found him curled up and asleep in his box. I rang Carol (who was at the Club's October show at Beau Sejour) as the ferry entered The Little Russell and promptly slowed to walking pace!

"Hi dear! We'll be alongside in a soon, come and get us!" But, the Pastoral Group was just starting to be judged and she was waiting to take the German Shepherds into the ring - then she had the Border Collie to show for Diane Taylor too, then she might have to go into the group if they won - bad timing! She'd be there as soon as she could! We waited for what seemed to be an age outside the White Rock terminal, and thanks must go to Debbie Williams who in the end came to collect us. Derby's box went onto the back seat and Derby happily jumped into the back of the car. What a relief to be home! When we arrived at Beau Sejour Carol was still in the ring, she couldn't come out and see Derby. It seemed an age before she was able to come out, and it seemed like half the show had already come out and seen Derby before Carol made it outside!

After ten months of planning, a journey that had lasted about three days and several thousand of miles, Derby was here at last! He has settled into life in Guernsey as if he had been nowhere else! He likes our other dogs, and they like him too!

For anyone contemplating bringing in a dog from outside the UK, the requirements are quite straight forward. Microchip, rabies vaccination, blood test, wait six months, tapeworm/flea & tick treatment 24 - 48 hours before you travel on an 'approved route' with an 'approved carrier'. The difficulty is that for a lot of this you rely on someone else! In turn they have to realise the importance that it must be right! Derby's breeder and vet were excellent, but even so we were caught out. DEFRA were always very helpful via their helpline (0870 2411710) and my advice would always be 'if in doubt - ask.' Also, do your homework thoroughly first, contact the airlines and carriers too. Visit the DEFRA website for more information (www.defra.gov.uk). We have recently been told by someone that we know who is also importing a dog from the USA that Bristol is not accepting pets any longer, which is a great shame - I would have recommended it to anyone. It's also very surprising as it has been advertised as THE route for dogs competing at Crufts!! The thought of having to hang round for 3-4 hours at a busy airport like Heathrow or Gatwick wouldn't exactly thrill me!

Was it worth it? Yes! Would I do it again? Yes, despite all the snags along the way!