International shenanigans:  getting a dog out of SH

The saga of bringing Ramsey - 4yr old 90 lb boxer - from Shanghai to California during CoVid 2020.

Let me set the scene.

In times of Covid . International borders are closed. Jaiden and I have been stuck in the US for 105 days. We are repatriating to California this summer, not even sure if we can make it back to Shanghai to pack up. We need to bring Ramsey home to us.

He’s a boxer, so he can’t fly in summer months.

He’s 90lbs so he needs to go cargo.

United airlines and Lufthansa would take him, but they aren’t flying to/from China and even if they were, US airports aren’t accepting pets right now.

If we don't get Ramsey now, he will need to stay in China until atleast the fall, if flights are even flying...

So far we have had 4 failed "almost on the plane" attempts with airlines.

Roller coaster of emotions.

Times of Covid.

FINALLY, we get another lead. This is our LAST ATTEMPT before summer heat! Relocation company in Hong Kong says there’s a flight with China Southern. Guangzhou China to Vancouver Canada. It operates once a week on Tuesdays and is not taking passengers in the westward direction. But they can fly cargo. And they might take him but we will only know for sure when they check him in for the flight. 70% chance it will work out.

Kush will need to drive Ramsey to Guangzhou China (1000 miles one way) to get him an exam and on the plane.

I will need to drive to Canada (1000miles one way) to get Ramsey. Will need to do a 2 week quarantine before leaving Canada again. But with borders closed, atleast we can enter Canada because we’re Canadian citizens.

Jaiden reminds us that 70% chance is better than the 0% chance if we don’t try. He’s right.

Relocating a dog internationally during COvid.

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The plan is in motion. Nothing is guaranteed.

Saturday May 9th, our driver starts drive with Kush and Ramsey to Guangzhou. Crate, paperwork, incidentals all packed...3nights in hotels in China with a dog.

Sunday May 10th It’s a hot, but rainy day in Guangzhou. The crate has been outfitted with ice packs under a plank to keep cool and plenty of water bottles. The relocation company is taking over, we are just still not sure he’s going to be accepted on the plane. 70% chance.

Monday May 11th, Deven starts the drive with me to Vancouver. Rohan and Jaiden are at home checking in with Kush in China and us on the road... every step of the way. We arrive in Portland not yet knowing if Ramsey’s going to make the flight. 70% chance.

At midnight we hear he’s on the plane!

It’s Tuesday morning in China, CZ329, CAN-YVR. It’s a bit unbelievable. We hope they have the right dog and the right crate on the right flight. We are tracking the flight over the Ocean. And in the same hours, we miraculously find a company to drive Ramsey across the border!!!! So we won’t need to quarantine after all. Omg. That’s huge...now just to get him to us. On pins and needles....

Tuesday May 12th Deven and I leave Oregon and start the 5 hour drive through Washington state to the Canada border. The RELO company in Canada calls....says they have Ramsey! He’s safe! He’s healthy! Deven and I are waiting at a designated rest stop just south of the CANADA - US border.. he arrives. Same as he left. We are so grateful!!! We drive 5 hours back to Portland...stay the night in the hotel with Ramsey. Bathed and fed. We all feel calm for the first time in months. 70% chance turned into 100% success.

Wednesday May 13th We drive 10 hours back to Pleasanton, California.

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It took 6 days (we lived Tuesday in both countries!) 4000 miles travelled. Pet relocation companies in Hong Kong, PetMoversHK, China doggy travel prep crew, crossing the ocean, and Worldwide Animal Travel in Canada, crossing the border into the US. Plus the efforts of countless people along the way.....we are so blessed to be so supported by our company, friends and family.

We have heard Ramsey is the first dog who has been able to get out of China in the last few months.

Getting our dog out of China during CoVid 2020.

This chapter of the story is DONE

Next chapter coming soon.....