Okay, you've convinced me

[juliette]

After spending 24 hours worrying about how my little baby Moe was going to be sent from Adelaide to Melbourne, I've broken down, rented a car and arranged to drive 20 hours round trip to go get him.

Originally I hoped the breeder would be able to bring him with her, but I double checked with Qantas and sure enough, they don't let animals in the cabin, so even if his breeder was coming to Melbourne, he'd have to go in the hold.

Graham and I agree - that simply won't do for our little guy.

I've emailed the breeder to let her know I'd like to pick him up early on the morning of October 9th. I'll drive to Adelaide the day before, stay overnight and head back to Melbourne after getting him. With regular potty and play breaks, I figure that 755 km will take me about 11 hours.

Time to load the iPod with great audiobooks!

Thanks for all the great advice regarding not allowing him to be plane shipped folks. I'd love to hear from anybody who has travelled a great way to pick up their pups on what I should expect.

Cheers
J

[Cocoa and Me]

Whew! What a drive you'll be making!! But it will be well worth it :)
We drove 600 miles round trip to get Mousse (twice, once to visit and once to bring him home). That's not nearly as long of a drive you'll be making though!! :yikes: I wish you the best of luck, and hope you can sleep the night before! I know I had a hard time (I was so excited LOL). :Sun2:

[Schatz's Mom]

Is it feasible to fly there and rent a car to drive back? It might be a little more expensive but would cut the driving time!

[Suzanne R]

Is it feasible to fly there and rent a car to drive back? It might be a little more expensive but would cut the driving time!
Good idea! I'm so glad you're not going to ship him however - I've done it once, and will NEVER do it again, unless the furkid can be under my seat in the cabin. Cargo is HORRENDOUS!!

[juliette]

Is it feasible to fly there and rent a car to drive back? It might be a little more expensive but would cut the driving time!

Have I mentioned you are brilliant recently? I'll double check but can probably get a one way flight for under $200 and a car for about $60. Then there is the horrible price of petrol...at $1.32 a litre at the moment, but by renting something small I can probably get back to Melbourne for about $90.

Cheers
J

[keri1113]

Have I mentioned you are brilliant recently? I'll double check but can probably get a one way flight for under $200 and a car for about $60. Then there is the horrible price of petrol...at $1.32 a litre at the moment, but by renting something small I can probably get back to Melbourne for about $90.

Cheers
J

Have you checked with your car insurance company and your credit card company about car rental discounts? My car insurance company has coupons I get in my bill. I'll look and see if they can be used by anyone. If they can, I could mail them to you and even overnight them.

[juliette]

Thanks Keri, you're so sweet. Fortunately, all these good ideas have driven me to the good old interwebs. I just did some fast online checking and realized -

1) I can get from here to Adelaide on my Qantas Frequent Flyer points (even a current special, so only 6500 points)
2) Our credit cards do offer the car rental insurance/cheap rental options, so the maximum I'll be paying is $60 for the car.
3) the petrol will still be the most expensive thing in this exercise, but there's nothing I can do about that one :)

:cheer::cheer:

Yippee! Driving time cut in half, expenses covered by NOT paying for petrol for the drive out..now, I just need to book an overnight hotel in Adelaide, and make reservations at that amazing restaurant. (there go all the savings!!).

Thanks for all the great suggestions folks.

Now, 11 hours in a car with a new puppy. What should I expect and what will he need?

[oscarforevermom]

Thanks for all the great advice regarding not allowing him to be plane shipped folks. I'd love to hear from anybody who has travelled a great way to pick up their pups on what I should expect.


We have 4 minis - 2 are mine and 2 are my daughters - and they have been making the trip back and forth from FL to GA since they were babies. We wind up about the same amount of hours as you're going to do. There has never been a problem. We do this a couple of times a year.

We crate them for the trip. There is a blanket in the crate for comfort. Everytime we stop for gas/food - they are taken out on harnesses and leashes to go potty. They get a tiny treat for doing their potty.

We feed them breakfast early the morning we are leaving and wait to feed them dinner when we get to our destination. We take bottled water and their water bowl for their breaks. They don't usually drink a lot.

They are wonderful travelers..Mostly they just cuddle up and sleep.

[Cocoa and Me]

Just make sure there are no penalty fees for dropping the car off at a place other than where you picked it up. Or at least know of the fee and be prepared for it (if there is one). We looked into flying to Florida, and driving back, and OMG the penalty fee was horrendous! So just be careful :)

[Joyce]

:wahooo: glad that you have gotten such good advice. Sending lots of DBB traveling :rayz:.

[schroeders mom]

Many :rayz::rayz::rayz::rayz:for a safe trip!!!!

[Heidi's Pam]

I'm so glad that you're flying one way - that is a very long trip even one way! Have a very safe journey, and we'll look forward to seeing pictures of Moey's trip home! :hugs:

[Dlltaps]

I can't wait to see pictures of the wee one! :) The hum of the engine in the car (or boat) always puts Sailor to sleep so I'm sure you'll be fine! :) It will be hard for you not to want to take em out and cuddle while you're driving home! :Sun2::hearts::hearts::0210:

[jzutis]

I just read up on this threa. What an excellent dog mom and dad you are. Please have a safe trip and give the little one lots of hugs and smooches from Penny and Rudy!!!:Sun2: :goodluck: