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.

I've always wanted a top loader, Get really frustrated with my front loader and the amount of time each cycle takes. The shorted cycle I can get out of it is 35 minutes. (even then I reckon it longer) When I visit America/Australia I get all excited about washing my clothes in a top loader, Quicker cycles and throwing things in that I had forgotten or that pesky pillow case that I had dropped and not seen on the way to the laundry room. I had planned on treating myself to a fancy schmancy top loader but reading the comments I may have to think again.

Hi Tania, We posted ours off too after weighing up the cost of a day trip to London. We posted ours off on a Wednesday afternoon and got them back Saturday morning. So a really quick turnaround. To be honest I was a bit disappointed with the sticker. It looked no different than my 6 month visa. The only difference being the wording. I was expecting it it be all gold. I'm now hoping for a brass band when I get off the plane ha ha ha x

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply... I will send you a PM

congratulations tania xxx so happy for you xxx

I love Perth Gary, really enjoy it there. I also have a huge soft spot for QLD too. Nigel is a Carpenter & Joiner by trade. We have a 176 visa but not state sponsored but we have chosen to go to Perth to spend some time with my Nana for a few years and see if we like it enough to stay or move on. Unfortunately my Nana is very poorly and may not make it until we get there in February. But we are sticking with WA for now. Your holiday/validation trip sounds great. You will love Perth I'm sure. Good news about your friend running a recruitment agency. That will help you no end. It's just Nigel and I plus two dogs so we don't have to worry about school etc. I'm being drawn to the northern suburbs but my cousin is blackmailing me emotionally to move nearer her. Your right it is important to have friends and especially ones that understand the highs and the lows ( hoping not to have any lows or too many) I'll pm you my details so we can keep in touch and arrange something for when we are there or you can pass them on to Sue if she is your social secretary like I am to Nigel. Mandy

Hi Gary & Sue We are flying out on the 8th Feb from Gatwick (yay! Only 40 minute drive to the airport) We will be there until the 24th and staying with family in the Rockingham area. But have car so will travel ha ha. I've been to Perth a fair few times but the OH hasn't (east coast only) so our trip apart from validating is too see if he could live in Perth. Always up for meeting up for a drink. Also going to have a drive round areas that I think we might like to live probably from as high up as Butler down towards Madurah. Also hoping to get Nigel a meeting with a possible employer. Always good to compare notes and get someone else's perspective Mandy

What date are you flying out on?

We are also flying in Feb with Emirates too to validate our Visa. We are heading out on Feb 8th. When are you going?

I just checked to see how everyone was going and I'm still sitting there all alone... Really hope you all hear something soon. Your right he may of stopped posting, would be nice to keep others informed if he has a visa so people can see some movement .

I just checked in to see where everyone is and I'm shocked that March applicants are still waiting for Visa grants. I'm sitting there all on my own... Hurry up Diac and turn the Marchians Purple. (I looked at the spread sheet) I really hope you all get some good news soon. Keeping my fingers crossed. Mandy xxx

Hi wabound We were not aware of a co being assigned. We went straight to visa grant the same day a co picked up our application. We had front loaded our med's & police checks. Our visa was granted 01/11/2011 Good luck with your visa xxx

Really pleased you had success with your visa and it all worked out with you not using and agent. For me there are good and bad agents out there. For me personally our agent has been brilliant and managed to get us lodged two days before my OH hit his 45th birthday. Something we could not of done. They did what we paid them for and beyond. We front loaded our medicals and police checks re March 18th email and we went straight to Visa Grant. Everyone has a difference experience. I was originally answering your point where you said 'An agent has nothing to do with the meds' Our agent did have a small input into our meds and explained the pro's and con's of front loading, also needing a receipt from the clinic to upload. But you are right in the grand scheme of things they don't really have much to do with your meds.

Our agent asked for a copy of our receipt for our medicals which she then sent as proof that we had undertaken our medicals. By sent I mean uploaded to our online application. So in our experience the agent did have something to do with the medicals. I think agents want to dot the I's and cross the T's and make sure nothing is overlooked.