Just when you think...

Just when you think you have everything figured out, you realize you do not.

Just when you think you are a good puppy mom, you realize you may not.

This realization developed a couple weeks ago, when we began our initial relocation process. If you did not guess from my introduction, the realization revolved around Macy's relocation. Included in our relocation package is compensation for using a pet relocation service. We ignored the offer since we moved from Houston to Russia with Macy flying (as cargo) on our airplane. Macy has also travelled from Russia to Chicago, and back on an airplane, no pet relocation service needed. I am very, very thankful Ryan took the time to look into the pet relocation service, to satisfy his curiosity. His research, brought the realization that I may not be as awesome of a puppy mom as I believed.

The pet relocation service asked for Macy's measurements, and the measurements of her kennel. Macy's kennel is TOO SMALL (by a lot) for her. For any readers jumping to conclusions, it is NOT because she is too fat (yes, she is "well built"), but she is too tall, and long for her kennel. Since we had no idea where we would be able to purchase an airline approved kennel in Novorossiysk, it looked like our only option was the pet relocation service. In my defense, she is never put in her kennel, she chooses to go in there for naps, but otherwise she has her designated chair in the living room. 

When we originally moved to Russia, Macy was only a couple months old, we had no idea how big she would be, so we purchased a huge kennel for her,  much too large, and as a result it made traveling in airports very difficult. I will admit, I knocked her off the luggage cart once, or twice (twice). Both times occurred at Moscow's airport, it did not matter how busy the airport was, as soon as a dog kennel falls off a cart, hitting the floor, EVERYONE goes silent, turns, and glares at you. Does anyone offer to help? No.  But most importantly, Macy was not hurt in either incident. I was tired of the the difficulties with the huge kennel, so the last time (two years ago), when Macy was back in the States, I bought her a smaller kennel, one that was actually for her size (which I thought she was full grown). Well, I am relieved to know that her weight gain the past two years was not simply fat, but she has grown in size. She now needs that bigger kennel. 

A couple pictures of Macy in her kennel. When you really pay attention, her head does seem to not fit in the kennel, and she can barely stand. I just thought she preferred to have her head outside the kennel, snuggling with her blanket. 

The pet relocation service will provide the correct size travel for Macy's travel. It sounds like the service is actually very nice. A representative will fly to Novorossiysk to pick up Macy, fly her to Moscow. She will spend the night in Moscow with the woman that comes to pick her up. We also learned that this woman was in charge of relocating many of the Sochi stray dogs that were adopted by American and European athletes. The next day she will fly from Moscow to Frankfurt, where there is a pet hotel. She will spend the night in the hotel. The next day she will fly from Frankfurt to Houston, where a woman will pick her up from the airplane in an air conditioned van (this is very important). Macy will spend the night with this woman. The next day, the woman will drive (this is very important) Macy from Houston to our house in Louisiana. Literal, door to door service. I do not have to worry about battling the veterinary offices in Novorossiysk for her international paperwork, I do not have to battle the airports with a dog kennel, I do not have to battle customs when we land in America. 

The kennel size was not our only obstacle. Just when you think, you have it all figured out, you do not. 

We were left with no other option for Macy's travel when we learned:

*Singapore airlines, the airline we are flying from Moscow to Houston does not accept dogs as checked baggage. We already knew this, and were researching other airlines, when we discovered the following: 

*Houston and New Orleans airports do not accept animals as checked baggage during the months May-September, too hot. The important reason the relocation service personally collects Macy directly from the airplane into an air conditioned van. 

*Flights to New Orleans tend to be on Express Jets, or smaller airplanes, planes smaller than a 747 do not take pets of Macy's size as checked baggage because the cargo area of those planes are too small to accommodate Macy's kennel size. The important reason the relocation service drives Macy from Houston to our house. 

I wrote a novel for this post, congratulations if you read this far. Here are a few more pictures of Macy. We are trying to teach her to leave her treat on her nose until we tell it is ok for her to eat it. Main obstacle, her eyes go cross trying to stare at the treat, causing her head to wobble, and the treat falls to the ground. 

Intense focus. 

Treat on face, eyes cross, head wobbles, treat begins to fall. 

Oh no, it bounced under the furniture. 

My paws do not fit, please get the treat for me. 

And to finish, nap time with Ryan. 

No need for a kennel when you have human snuggle buddies. 

Did I mention, we have TWO WEEKS until we are on a plane, flying to America. Insert smile, and happy dance. A couple updates on the house, our awesome master shower is now complete, and the beautiful wood floors have been installed! I believe the only thing left is the lawn and landscaping. On my to-do list this week is to call the mailbox company, and order our subdivision specific mailbox.