sossijchops

I don't think you can DIY anymore. We moved back to England last year and wanted our pooch to go with BA - they said they only take pets through agents now. In all honestly I'd wear the cost as it is a lot of hassle and you want to be sure everything is correct - and that your furry friend is as safe as he/she can be.Hope it goes well.

Bobj - you're missing the point. If that is you holding that fish, then you are a trophy hunter. You are posing for a photograph. Giraffe, Marlin, Barramundi ... what's the difference? I lived in rural NSW for many years and saw all the things you mention (and worse). That experience gave me so many reasons to move back to civilisation. I also worked in the Gammon Ranges (a two day drive from Adelaide) making wildlife films for the BBC - often for months on end - so I know the outback and why I'd never go back. And if you think mulesing is okay under any circumstances, then you are as ignorant as the man wielding the shears. Holding an animal down and cutting flesh from its body is simply barbaric. Is it any wonder so many clothing manufacturers around the world refuse to buy Australian wool? I suggest you look at any of the respected animal welfare sites if you want to learn more about this.

A trophy hunter in Africa is the same as a trophy hunter in Australia. Look in your local newsagent at all the magazines dedicated to Australian trophy hunters: they kill then pose with dead animals. The only difference is the type of animal. It is 'humanity' that puts more value on the life of a giraffe than a kangaroo, a wild pig or a sheep. I took the moral high ground because Australian's have this bizarre mentality when it comes to how they perceive the rest of the world and how 'we' should do things, when it's own animal rights are virtually non-existent.

I agree that it is not very nice, but at least it's quick - unlike the deaths of Australian livestock. Don't forget the Aussies are the only Western country that export millions of live sheep to the middle east each year to satisfy the halal meat trade - thousands die in unimaginable circumstances in the hold, and those that do make it are butchered alive. Australian farmers are some of the cruelest on the planet: intensive pig breeding - still allowed; mulesing of live sheep & lambs - still allowed; no laws ensuring welfare on the land (unshorn sheep in 40 degree paddocks with no shelter). And then there's the slaughter of thousands of kangaroos, wild pigs and other fauna - all in the name of 'sport' or 'ecology'. Other nations think it odd that you would treat an animal on your crest with such contempt - but that's the Aussie way - the hubris is palpable. So before you start telling others how to do things, do some research and take a look in your own backyard.

Just do a bit of research on road deaths in Oz - it is, for a 'Western' nation, about as bad as it gets. NZ is the same. There are no road manners at all and driving at night is like playing Russian roulette. Education is the key - but that could be said of life in general down there.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatlife/8938869/A-whinging-Pom-finally-back-on-his-own-soil.html

It is a pain, and time consuming, but you must get as many quotes as possible. Some will tell you it is 'illegal' to pack your own boxes (avoid them as this is nonsense). If you pack yourself it only voids their insurance so you either insure with someone else, or don't insure at all (we didn't and all was fine). Expect the worst though as you will sadly be penalised financially and in terms of customer service simply because your are British. Just smile and be pleasant and remember that you are going home, which is most certainly the best place to be.

We would only fly our dog with BA as they have the best reputation with regards to animal welfare (it's an inherent thing I believe) (unless anyone knows otherwise?) Don't forget that some countries that fly from Oz to UK sell dogs at the butchers ... I wouldn't fly them with Qantas as they have a history of not treating animals very well - you can google it to see. You can travel on the same flight as your dog which is a good idea as you can pester the staff to remind them to remind the Captain that your pet is in the hold.

I'm pretty sure that you are not allowed to do it yourself - that was what we were told anyway. The airlines have it sown up and will only take pets through a registered company. We did lots of research and got quotes from all pet relocation companies. Make sure you note every conversation and keep all paperwork as you might need to refer to it later. I'm sorry to say that although our pooch made it home safely, the experience was not much fun. Double check everything! Our Cairn/Jack Russell X weighed about 9 kilos and cost about $3000 to get home - just ridiculous ... but if you are in Oz you'll know that most things are vastly over priced. I saw a huge pet crate in a pet shop in London the other day. It was £30. The same model in Oz was $180 ... One other very important point. Make sure the crate they suggest is big enough. We were horrified that they all used a 'standard' size for our type of dog which was far too small - he could not have turned round in it (good old Aussie pet welfare standards) so we used a bigger one. It will of course cost you more (you're gonna get fleeced either way) ... just put it down to experience - the main thing is that your pets are as comfy as they can be. Best of luck with your move ... the dogs will love it when they get home.

Having been home now for three months, I'm still waiting for the supposed realisation that I made a mistake, yet I'm sure in my heart that it won't. The dog is happy and this feeling of belonging is far too strong. It's an odd thing viewing Australia from a distance. I smile when I read the SMH, Australian or Canberra Times as it reminds me of just how insular and myopic the country is. I don't think I've seen the word 'Australian' or 'Aussie' in any of the broadsheets here, (except when discussing the Murdoch debacle) yet while I was there, I was led to believe that the country was probably one of the most important in the world, whereas in fact, it is not much more than a blip. I don't know why Australia is like this. You could blame the media and the politicians, but you find the same arrogance and hubris across the land. It might seem okay if you live there, but trust me, it's not. It reminds me of school where nobody liked the bully, or the big-head and Australia has both characteristics in spades. Someone once said that Australian's are like this because of history and that if classroom sessions had begun with a lesson in savoir-faire, rather than flag-raising jingoism, there would be less impudent strine. I'm more than happy to watch from a safe and cultured distance.

That should have been, 'please mail me': sossijchops@gmail.com

If anyone is taking a small dog (jack russell size or slightly bigger) out to Oz, we have a sturdy wooden pet crate we no longer need. Our Cairn just came home to London after twelve years and there is no way he (or we!) are going back. The crate is IATA approved. If you are interested, pm me

We were at a bric-a-brac sale at the church this morning. The sun was shining and birds were singing. Lots of people stooped to say hello to Harley (we were in the cafe adjacent, yes, you can do that here) and we got talking about how old he was and his trip home. Most are amazed that he went out to Australia 12 years ago and is now safely home. 'I lived in Sydney for six years' she said. 'What brought you home?' I replied. 'Oh you know, deep down they don't like us do they.' We chatted some more about life there and here. 'We've got our problems' she said, 'but so do they. This is still the best country in the world.' And she is absolutely right. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/contributors/robertpickles/

We are using 'Across the Ocean' - nice honest bloke and about $6500 for a 20ft dropped off and picked up a few days later. We are packing all our own boxes and paying two guys to load everything. Works out about $1500 cheaper than Wridgeways, Aus Vanlines, Chess etc (Crace refused to even quote, saying it was illegal for us to pack our own boxes!). ACT cover everything else - will deliver and unpack all our stuff in London. We need to insure for total loss but can't see the point in the exorbitant 'breakages' insurance the 'big guys' want you to take up.

As someone that earns a living from writing, I have a thick skin - it comes with the job. So please, vent - it makes the work enjoyable. Kingsley Amis once said: 'If you can't annoy somebody with what you write, there's little point in writing.' I rest my case.