I Should Cocoa!
Having found the German Wire Haired Pointer breeder that we wanted to buy from and selecting a puppy called “Cocoa” we paid our deposit and arranged with the vet to tell us when the optimum time was for the puppy to travel. We looked very carefully at all of the options: airline pet courier services, overland transport services, and transporting the dog ourselves.
We decided on the latter as the puppy was so young, only 7 weeks. We wanted the journey to be as stress free as it could, and we also wanted the puppy to bond with us as soon as possible. I think we achieved our goal.
Our breeders vet was a gem, especially as we were living in Portugal and we had never met her. We asked for things to be done and arranged on our behalf by email. This included supplying the correct sized dog carry case, food for the first month, inoculations, worming, full medical examination and pet passport.
Early on the appointed day a friend picked up Cocoa, the food, papers, and carry case, and even paid the bills on our behalf. He then set off for Kent and our meeting place near the entrance to the channel tunnel.
I called him on his mobile en route and all I could hear was a loud and long howl, and above this my friend, who had 3 hours to travel, asked was this normal and would it stop at some point soon? It did and she slept for the rest of the journey!
Collecting her from my friend in Tesco’s car park I gave her a short walk to stretch her legs and a little food and water. She was wide awake and ready to play! If you want to meet people, take a little puppy to Tesco’s. I couldn’t believe how many people came up to talk to her and ask what sort of dog she was.
After picking up a few shopping essentials I started the return journey. As I had bought a ‘there and back in a day’ ticket it only cost me ( Euros) both ways on the Channel Tunnel. Although there was a short delay on the way back, which I used to walk her around the car park, I actually boarded an hour before I expected to. As I was driving to the ferry I was stopped by HM customs, no doubt because of my same day ticket. Just as the officer approached the car and asked if I had anything to declare Cocoa let out one of here long and mournful howls. We were quickly waved on!
We then started the journey home, south through France. I decided to take the coastal route through Normandy in so that the stops were in the countryside and not on Paris motorways. The main north to south motorway is a joy to drive with plenty of 24 hour fuel stations and other stopping places along the way.
Stopping every two to two and half hours for food, drink and exercise. The journey flew by with Cocoa getting used to the routine of me tying her lead to a car door handle then sorting out her food and drink. She was used to this by the second stop, much to my amazement, sitting quietly waiting to be fed. By the time we arrived in the South of France it was dark so I decided to stop for a nap at one of the motorway picnic/camping spots. We both slept soundly and carried on our journey south to northern Spain and on into Portugal arriving near Coimbra at 4pm the next day.
Two days later we attended the local vets for a check up and to register her for her inoculations in a few weeks time and to show her pet passport. Although registered with the UK Kennel Club we registered her with the Portuguese Kennel Club as we may bread from her depending upon how she performs in gun dog training.
Looking quite the young lady, Cocoa is now 8 months old and loves life here in Portugal. There are huge areas of tracks and land that she can enjoy herself in building up her muscles and growing into a fine example of the breed.
To find out more about taking your pet to Portugal, see some of the important facts and information at Coimbra Property Shop – ‘Our Portugal’.
May 29, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Can you pay for your train tickets with a credit card on the train or do you have to buy a ticket first?
Is there a train or bus that goes from Coinbra to the airport ?
Thanks
May 29, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Hi,
You need to buy your ticket first, you can do this at the station or online at http://www.cp.pt.
There is no trains form the airport, however there are buses. Taxis in Portugal are fantastically cheap, so I normally jump in one, as the airports in Lisbon and Faro are near enough to the centre of town for it to be worthwhile.
Thanks
June 8, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I understand that there is a very good small animal vet in Penela. Do you have any details. I am practically interested in vets who are good with dogs.
Food for thought! I don’t recognise the brands of dry dog food here can you recommend somewhere that understands the various feeds and can give advise.
February 1, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Newcomers may not realise this as you hardly ever see a Portuguese person with a dog or cat in their cars. The law says that Dogs and cats must be restrained in a moving car.
It doesn’t say how they should be restrained though.
I recommend a dog crate as in the event of an accident. The dog can’t get out of the car and onto the road. Always take a collar and lead with you when traveling with your dogs just in case you all have to get out of the car.
February 8, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Hi Frango hunter,
I have found that Royal Canin dog food is excellent and sold widley here
go to http://www.royalcanin.co.uk/ for all the info you need
Also has cat food details
February 11, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I was talking to an old guy in the village about goats and I think he said that goats don’t eat grass.
Is that in Portugal or was he pulling my lstupid forigner leg?
How much land do I need to keep 2 goats happy
thanks
Frank
February 27, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Hi Frangohunter,
I agree. The best quality dry, dog and cat food sold in Portugal is Royal Canin. It’s sold in the USA under a different name.
I belive the company behind this is Nestle.
You can buy it at the vets in Penela you can also buy it in the large pet shop near Coimbra “A ” railway station.
R the space for a couple of goats. It’s hard to say. People in our village keep them indoors most of the time and take food to them. They are always out cutting gorse and bracken by the tractor load.