Saturday, July 11, 2009

Benjy Travels

Benjy in his little bag at the Los Angeles airport, about to board his flight... Where is he heading?

Some 14 hours later... He's in Paris! Not a bit jet-lagged or tired, he plays around the apartment and its beautiful deck.

32 comments:

Laura Neulat said...

So incredibly active! I bet he slept in the plane all the way between LAX and Paris.

Deidra said...

I hope he enjoys Paris! Lucky you for getting to tag along.

diane said...

He's too adorable! How did you get around the quarantine thing? When we traveled to Paris (and then moved to Entrecasteux for 3 1/2 years), our dog was quarantined for 3 weeks!

Kwana said...

Ah Benjy back in Paris! I hope he has a fun time.

TERI REES WANG said...

Lucky dog!

Sam said...

Such a sweetie! I think he will be the toast of Paris! P.S. Do you just carry him on with you in your hand luggage? In Australia we have such strict rules about pets and animals - it's three months in quarantine in both countries before the pet can stay.

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

We took our little pug to Paris in October, and she loved it! Walked more than ever since she knew croissants were waiting around every corner!

Enjoy yourselves!

Unknown said...

oh how wonderful!!!!
oh do enjoy yourself with your family!!!
and do enjoy paris...(have you been to "merci" yet?? such an amazing store.../

xx

Mary-Laure said...

LAURA - yes, he slept deeply all the way; I wish I could say the same!

DEIDRA - he wouldn't travel without his assistant...

DIANE - I don't know what year you had that experience, but now at least, it's quite simple to travel with a pet to France from the US (and vice versa). All you need is a rabies shot certificate as well as a "good health certificate" from a vet and you're good to go.
When I went through customs today, no one even asked me for Benjy's papers, so it went super smoothly.
And believe it or not, he has his own European Union Dog Passport, as he was born in France!!!
I hope the quarantine was not too traumatic for your dear dog...

SAM - yes, I know, the quarantine laws in Australia are VERY strict...
But between France and the US, it's quite simple, and he just travels with me as "hand luggage".

SIMPLY MEL - oh how fun! Paris is really a very dog-friendly city.

Anonymous said...

I could never put my dog onto a plane, she would go crazy and mental and it would all end in tears! Hehe, hope he's having a good time, he looks happy enough(not to mention SO cute!). ^_^.

Hila said...

Are you back in Paris for good or for a visit?
What lovely floppy ears Benjy has.

Joanna said...

OMG, Benjy has his very own European Union Dog Passport? What a cool dog he is. I must meet him!

Mary-Laure said...

CHARLOTTE - I was expecting Benjy to be very agitated but actually he was just perfectly good.

HILA - we're just visiting!

JOANNA - he'd be delighted to meet you too, I'm sure. My friends are his friends.

Chrisy said...

ooooh lucky Benji! I think he'll feel right at home in Paris!

muralimanohar said...

Flying my pug from Australia to Hawaii was extremely simple...in terms of paperwork, etc. No quarantine, he came off the plane, and came straight home with us. Emotionally, the poor little guy was SO traumatized, it was weeks before he settled back into normalcy. Won't be doing that again anytime soon. Apparently, Benjy is a world-class traveler, and takes it all in stride! :p

(BTW...what were you saying the other day about Lucky, lucky girl??????? PARIS?????)

Mary-Laure said...

CHRISY - oh yes, Paris is a very dog friendly city. Pooches are even allowed in restaurants!

MURALIMANOHAR - I'm surprised by what you write, as I always thought flying to Hawaii with a pet was complicated as it's an island.
Your poor little one, I know how distressing travel can be for them. I hope he's now enjoying the smells and sounds of Hawaii?
And YES, you are a lucky LUCKY girl; I went to Hawaii a few times and have nothing but magical memories of the place.

Anonymous said...

Pero que rico cachorrito! Te felicito.

Iñaki said...

Love the wood deck... and the doggy running around :)

xx

Blue Muse said...

Lucky pup! France looks great on you! Happy trip, Benjy!
xo Isa

Spangler Cummings said...

Benjy, you have never looked happier! Have a grand time.

Mary-Laure said...

ANONYMOUS - Pero Benjy no es mas cachorro, si ya tiene 8 años!

BLUE MUSE - actually, Benjy's French! He was born in Normandy.

jane said...

i want benjy´s life... have a wonderful time!

Rina said...

Se lo ve disfrutando Paris y esta como si nada...despues de tantas horas de viaje...que lindo Benjy

Anonymous said...

tout le monde aime Benjy MAIS peu de gens savent quel mauvais caractere il peut avoir le soir, a la nuit tombee, quand on vient visiter SA proprietaire!!!!!il peut meme ...BITE.

Sammi said...

In Paris- does it not cost you a fortune to fly him around all the time? It cost me nearly £2000 to fly Tiger to and from Spain three times.

Mardi Michels said...

That is awesome! I bet he gets a lot of attention in Paris being the cutie that he is!

Bon séjour!

Mary-Laure said...

ANONYMOUS - calomnie! diffamation! scandale!

SAMMI - yes, it is expensive but not as much as for your pet. It costs me US$150 (about 75 pounds I think) to take Benjy from LA to Paris.

MARDI - he is indeed the toast of the town.

sealaura said...

he's the cutest jet setter ever! ooh la la. :)

Sammi said...

Mary Laure, what company do you use? I paid £625 last time to fly Tiger back from Gran Canaria to the UK... we used Ladyhaye. He had to go in the hold, also, and did I read somewhere that Benjy got to sit with you? Tiger is smaller than Benjy, I believe.

Mary-Laure said...

SAMMI - on Delta, KLM, Air France and other airlines I flew with Benjy, pets of up to 5 kg (about 10 pounds) can travel in the cabin as hand luggage, for a few of $100-150. Some airlines only allow pets in the hold.
The "pet policy" really changes from one airline to the other. I always make sure to fly an airline that will allow Benjy to stay with me!

Joyce said...

Oh he is too cute! I'm so glad he went with you. Nice to know easy travels for dogs from US to France vice versa. Thanks.

Fifi Flowers said...

He is sooooo CUTE... your mother has a FAB deck in Paris!!!