Yesterday little Lace flew to her new home and I just thought I'd share what goes on in the process.

Of course preparation starts way before a puppy is actually shipped. We make flight arrangements beforehand, booking the flight, estimating the shipping costs, etc. The puppy also has to have a health exam and health certificate from the vet before flying out of state. This is only good for ten days so all these things have to be taken into consideration. The trip to the vet is only 35 miles away, but it's a good hour long trip, if I make the ferry on time:) No, we don't live on an island, but if the ferry wasn't available it would take many more miles and more time to get to the vet, airport, etc.

Usually the night before or early the morning of shipping the puppy is given her bath and hand dried with my hair dryer. The tiny toenails are trimmed one last time also. The crate is put together securely, a potty pad and shredded newspaper are added to the bottom and I also throw some puppy kibbles in amongst the paper. The airline is not allowed to feed the pup during the shipping process unless there is an emergency, so I add some just in  case they get hungry in route. Puppy is given breakfast that morning and offered a bit more one last time before I drop them off. Most of the time I give them a strip of high calorie gel supplement right before I leave them at the shipping counter too.

I place the baby blanket and toy in the crate also and then attach the food sample and all necessary puppy papers to the top of the crate. The plastic food/water cup is filled with water and frozen for the night, so the next day puppy has something to lap at during travel.

Heres' Lace in her travel crate on the ferry. (I use a different crate for transporting then what she will fly in, just in case she has an accident or gets carsick before we get to the airport.)

The ferry runs during the summer from 6:30am-9:45pm, every half hour. We live about 15-20 minutes from the ferry, so we have to plan for that. If we have to ship a pup earlier, we drive around (over a bridge) and it adds on an hour to our trip.

The ride across is only 10-15 minutes, depending on the time of year and the water level. Here we are getting off the ferry.

 Once we get to the other side of the river it takes about an hour and forty-five minutes or so to get to the airport. (Winter time is a whole different story and route!) The airport is about ninety mile drive from our home. Thankfully the scenery is pretty nice most of the way down. Usually the pup will whine for the first half hour of so, but then settles down nicely for a nap the rest of the way.

Almost there!

We're here! We always try to use Alaska Airlines as they have the most competitive prices and have always taken good care of our babies!

Once we get into the office, the puppy and crate are weighed ,and paperwork and payment are processed. The pup has to be checked in two hours before her flight for processing so she has time for another nap! And then she's off on her new adventure.

Have a safe trip sweetie!