Mandy28

Hi we ended up just flying our Boxer to Australia using PetAir. They were brilliant. Unfortunately our Boston Terrier Died before we emigrated due to kidney failure. the Boxer didn’t fair to well although being fit and healthy and 5 years old. He ended up getting a urine infection in the quarantine kennels as he wouldn’t wee in his kennel run as he’s a super clean dog. He also thought we had abandoned him (according to the great vet that was dealing with him) Our Boxer had basically given up and was refusing to eat. The vets were going in everyday and trying to hand feed him roast chicken. They even called me and put the phone to my dogs ear so I could speak to him. Anyway it was the longest 10 days of my life. On the day when he could fly from Sydney to perth the vet wasn’t too keen on sending him. But I begged saying that once he’s with me he will be fine. Reluctantly the vet agreed and they sent my dog onwards to Perth. Once I collected him at Perth airport he looked like the saddest dog in the world sitting in the crate. Then he heard my voice and it was all tail wags and licks. He spent a few days recovering from the trauma of it all. But I must say he was a different dog. Very needy afterwards and always needed to be closer to me than normal. Unfortunately a year later we had to put him to sleep as he had a huge ‘mass’ in his chest. Give Pet air a call and see what they recommend. Quite a few airlines have a ban on flying snub nosed dogs. Pet Air helped us.

Oh why oh why are they NOT a size 4!!!!

To me blood isn't thicker than water. I have more love and respect for some of my friends than I do my sister. My annoyance is aimed at the people who think that I have to maintain a relationship with my sister because we are related. My father constantly tells me, "You know what she's like" but in my book you can't go around being abusive and hurtful to people just because they are related to you. I don't act like that and I'm sure if I did I would be pulled up pretty quickly but since my sister has always been like that it has somehow become accepted. BUT not to me NO longer. I refuse to be her verbal punching bag and accept her behavior. I agree with you Jin77, we are all going to that Happy Place and what makes me even happier is that my sister is now writhing in jealously that I am going! Mwahahahahaha (evil laugh)

What a relief it's not just me... Loads of us in the same boat! We may need a bigger boat! I refuse to have anything to do with my sister, basically tried for several years to get along but fed up with the drama that comes with her. After ten years we tried again to maintain a relationship that only lasted 10 months! Now we are back to not speaking and no contact what so ever. She has also now chosen to cut all ties with my Mum. My OH has 3 siblings and only has contact with one of them. He's washed his hands of the rest. He and I both have a close relationship with both sets of parents. What annoys me the most is when people are "shocked'" that I have no contact with my sister. I get all the "you are related, blood is thicker than water, blah blah blah" Life is too short to surround your self with negative, jealous, spiteful people etc. Concentrate on those you love and who love you. It works for us.

I'm a dog person, I don't dislike cats but I would never have one.

Catgee I wish you luck telling your parents and I hope it goes well. Just to Cheer you up and give you a positive story, I'll tell you about mine. My Parents are divorced and We had told them from the beginning that we were thinking of applying to migrate to Australia. Also we told my OH's parents what we were thinking of. My Dad and I have a lot of relatives in Australia and I knew he would take it well and he bent over backwards supplying me with all the info I needed (I had to show the connection between my Uncle and I) Dad and my Step-mum took it well and I know I will still see them as they do visit Australia every 18-24 months. When we finally got the visa my Dad was super pleased for us although he won't be migrating. My Mum was positive all the way through the Visa process and the day I called her to tell her that we finally had the Visa, She burst into tears. It had finally hit home that it was real and that we were going. Roll on a few months and she is selling her property and buying a smaller place so she can release funds so she can afford to come and visit us every year for 3 months. (I love my mum but I'm hoping it won't be every year as it will be difficult to juggle having my mum and Dad and Step-mum to stay) Mum is very positive about it now and looking at it that she can escape the British winter. I know when the times comes to say goodbye she will be a wreck but I have to keep reminding her of all the positives. My OH's parents were fantastic. They have been nothing but supportive and think we are doing the right thing and keep telling us that we have to live our lives, and not to worry about them. The OH's parents are in there early 70's and my father in law is not in the best of health. If he ever does get on a plane to see us I will be amazed. The OH is fully aware that it could be the last time that we ever see them once we leave. (The OH is convinced he will never come back to the UK) Our train of thought as selfish as it may seem is that we can't live our lives for our parents. My mum left her parents for a long time to live in Germany with my father and when we all moved back to the UK she would only visit her parents once a month. (We moved back to a different County) So when she does get a bit miserable about it I remind her that she did the same to her Mum and Dad. It's also easier for us as we don't have children, so we don't feel that we are depriving them of seeing any grand children grow up. For us we decided to involve them every step of the way and call them up with updates. I have always pointed out the positives and also sat down and explained why we don't want to stay in the UK. This way worked for us as it felt like I wasn't hiding anything and it also gave them time to let it sink in whilst we waited for our Visa. Good luck with everything and I hope it goes well. Mandy

congratulations xxx

Get well soon Kate xxx

As we are going to validate our visa's first (in 4 weeks time) Today I have sorted out Car hire in Perth I have Ordered my Aussie $ (will collect Saturday) I have checked with my bank re Travel Insurance and also update our mobile phone insurance with them too. I have printed off all flight info and car parking at Gawick and placed it my Travel Purse. I have also been looking at houses AGAIN online. And just writing this I have realised that I have forgotten to dig out our Visa Approval letter to take with me and the OH's Vetassess Certificate. Right off to do that now... Mandy p.s Good thread by the way

Ooh! please share sites etc... I looked ages ago but couldn't find any decent ones.