Our Four Legged Friends in France

It's all very well relocating to the other side of the world when you know what's going on, but how does it feel to our furry family members?  If only they could tell us.  In a way, they do, and we are getting better at interpreting their needs, wants, likes and dislikes.

Safe to say they won't be too keen on a repeat performance of flying in a crate for thirty odd hours straight without food, company or exercise.  However, our reassurance was that they were in good hands and a word of advice to anyone thinking of flying pets around the world - shop around. After some research, we chose All Animal Transport (www.allanimaltransport.com.au) and felt very confident that our Chubs were in good hands with owner Mary. Not only that, but her approach was far more personal than Jet Pets or Dogtainers, for example, and her pricing way more competitive.

  

Now they are here it is noticeable how much more snuggly they are, relishing cuddles and hugs and crowding onto the sofa with us wherever possible. Even Oscar. Especially Oscar.  He is positively a changed cat - we think he is truly happy to still be with his family and not left behind as sadly cats often are. 

Out and about, Roly and Pepper come with us anywhere we can take them, which is pretty much everywhere. They are welcome in all cafes and restaurants, the bank, the post office, McDonald's, shopping centres, department stores, on the bus, on the train, on the tram - the list goes on.  They can't go into the supermarket which is fair enough but of course they can go to the weekly market, if they wanted to that is.  But they don't really want to - too scary.   

 It is interesting to witness the things that are new, strange and therefore scary to them. Being Gold Coast dogs who took their walks along the beach and in the park, these new scary things include and encompass trams, tram tracks, tram stations, tram pasengers, scooters, mopeds, gutters, man hole covers, grilles, escalators, lifts, stairwells, travelators, zebra crossings, shopping centres, department stores, security guards, carousels, waiters, waitresses, students, bridges, information offices, markets, taxis, taxi drivers, neighbours and neighbours' bicycles.  Oh, also street performers (understandable) (entirely forgiveable). And skateboards. 

New and strange to us is the marvellous range of dog and cat care grooming products available as standard in the supermarket.  Dog and cat Toilettage salons proliferate, catering to the well coiffed pet. We continue to be horrified by the dog poo defiling all streets and the scant regard for sanitation shown by dog owners - so much so that there are government paid persons patrolling the streets with Moto Crotte (above left) which are motorcyles designed to suck up dog poo!!!  Tax payers foot this bill! 

All buildings welcome pets as residents, no weight or breed discriminated against (or so it seems), yet dogs are not allowed in any park!  Lapin flavoured pet food is de rigeur as rabbits will be a plentiful and viable food source here, but are not to the taste of Oscar who is sticking to his usual seafood platter.  Roly and Pepper can't get over the new smells and scents and plunge chest deep into each and every one where possible. 

I'm sure they miss racing up and down the Spit, but they seem be embraceing this voyage of discovery as thoroughly as we have. Which just goes to show anything is possible so long as we all have each other - and plenty of treats!