Welshie Big Adventure

The Big Adventure begins!

Arrival

The Welshie Big Adventure began without a hitch.  Arrival at the airport in New Jersey and stowing the car were easier than I imagined and the dogs did an excellent job behaving as we met the other dogs flying on the plane.

Having never flown with the dogs, I was very worried about how they would react to the noise of the engines, the proximity of the other dogs, and the need to remain seated for the entire trip.  I really had nothing to worry about at all.

Winston sitting on Mom and relaxing.

K9 Jets flies dogs all over the world and they know just what to do to make the people and their companions comfortable.

Elvis gazing at us during a meal.

Elvis, our closest seat companion on the trip, was a mellow bull dog who was more interested in cuddling with his mom than meeting other dogs.  Maisie, Winston, and I sat in two chairs facing Elvis and his human.  We had a table separating us for eating.

Enjoying their time on the plane.

As the humans ate their dinners, or tried to while the dogs sniffed and tried to mooch a morsel, Elvis and Maisie rested their heads on the table and gazed calmly at each other.  I’d like to think that both dogs knew this was a special flight and good manners were of utmost importance.

Maisie ready for bed, while Winston slept on my lap.

With the lights turned off so that we all could sleep, I closed my eyes and the dogs snoozed on the chair next to me.  Elvis snored loudly the entire night.

We landed at Luton Airport in London the next morning. My husband Brian was waiting for me on the tarmac to pick us up and take us to Claire and Neil’s home.  I could get used to this kind of treatment.

Our hosts, came out to greet us when we arrived, paying equal amounts of attention to the dogs and the humans.  Perhaps a little more attention to the dogs, since this was the dogs' first stop in the Big Adventure.

Claire and Neil and the dogs

Stepping into their beautiful home with a wall of windows looking out into a gorgeous English garden, I was in heaven.  I hadn’t seen Claire in over a year and we spent hours catching up and chatting. 

Giving Neil kisses.

Neil took me into his garden and showed me all the work that he had done.  It was a slice of heaven, and the dogs thought so too.

Barking over a ball in the yard.

Maisie surveyed every inch of grass, examined the potting soil, the tools and even Neil’s Man Cave.  She could tell that Minnie and Dylan lived there and made sure to leave notes all over the yard for them to discover.

Winston inspecting.

Winston slowly inspected his surroundings also leaving a few notes for the absent Dylan and Minnie.  He and Maisie then moved inside to inspect the house like nosey neighbors.

Sniffing for mice in the potting area.

East Horsley, where Claire lives, is a beautiful area with lovely houses from the 1930s and many open fields and walking trails.  We went for a walk with the dogs and it felt as if we were far removed from any kind of town.  I could walk this trail every day.

The local cheesemonger in Horsley.

While Brian took our large SUV back to the airport to exchange for something more manageable on small roads, Neil drove us to the local cheesemonger to pick out items for dinner.  The owner of the shop discussed the cheeses with Neil while I wandered around the store wanting to take a little bit of everything with me.

Claire was very helpful with apps to go hiking.

The barn door is a great was to get fresh air and keep the pups inside.

This was a perfect introduction to Great Britain and an easy acclimation to a new way of life. With many sights and sniffs ahead of us, we prepared for our departure to Wales.