Operation: K9-Lift!

The last couple of months we have been in a frenzy trying to prepare for our move to Switzerland and one of the larger tasks at hand was handling the logistics fro bringing four-legged friends with us across the pond. 

Commence Operation K9-Lift! 

Your mission should you choose to accept it... 

(1) plan the travel for one 9 lbs Yorkie-Poo and one 158 lbs Great Dane to Geneva Switzerland.

(2) design and construct an IATA approved airline kennel for before mentioned Great Dane.

(3) Arrange transport to DFW airport for the "package" without our cars since they have either been sold or given to Richard "the car guy" for consignment. 

As usual, should you or any member of your I.M. Force be captured or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your existence. This message will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck!!!

Airlines are accustomed to transporting our furry friends so we did not figure we would have a problem getting them ticketed for a flight to Geneva (CH) but as we searched discussed the size of the kennels with the airlines that tune changed!

According to IATA standards the dogs kennel but be large enough for the dog to stand without hitting its head in the kennel and they must be able to turn around and lye down easily. after checking the dimensions of the dogs we determined that Izzie's crate was correctly sized and built for travel but Deacon would need a larger crate. According to the IATA rules his kennel must measure 43" H x 58" L x 32" W. The largest kennel available for purchase is 35" H x 48" L x 32" W... We had a problem!!!

We reached the conclusion that a kennel would need to be made for Deacon i n order for him to  come along with us on our journey so that is what we did! With 25 yards of fiberglass, 5 gallons of epoxy resin, 2 4' x 8' sheets of pink foam insulation, one 8' 2"x4", wire mesh, and 2 barrels locks we were on our way!

You might ask: Scott isn't this a pretty audacious goal considering your current responsibilities and the timeline in which this would need to be completed in? Well, I wish someone would have asked that question during the idea phase because this was a kick in the pants! Here are some pic's from start to finish.

Pink foam and toothpicks!

Starting to take form.

.

Bottom half.

Bottom done. Starting on the top.

Viola! Kennel made dogs inside we are on our way! Finished product weighs 66 lbs.

What do you mean he cannot get a seat assignment? You know he can be used as a flotation device in case of an emergency and he can keep an entire row of passengers feet warm! 

Robert "the TSA Guy". He said this was the first kennel ever that he has to crawl inside to inspect! 

So much for an in-cabin ticket! Just so you know this is the Cadillac of dog kennels! Time to strap in and get moving!

Upon arrival in Frankfurt we found our luggage and Izzie relatively quick considering everything that was going on but Deacon was delayed coming out of the over-sized baggage delivery because his container was too large to run through the belt system. So I traveled back into the innards of baggage delivery area and found the kennel with Deacon howling and five handlers taking pictures with there cell phones. after walking him out of the baggage area they shipped the crate around the airport to the police station to have it inspected and then they gave it back to us.

Frankfurt baggage said this was the largest kennel that they have ever encountered! I think we have set two records already!

Mission Accomplished!!!

Here is everybody alive and well in Frankfurt.

With the incredible assistance from some amazing people at Lufthansa 
airlines for everything they were great!


-Jerry Mishler from action pet express for his invaluable advice and willingness
 to answer all of our questions! 


-And to the Swiss authorities for confusing us greatly in both German, French, 
and English! We owe you countless hours of sleep lost and at least a 1000 grey hairs!

This has been a crazy adventure so far but it has been amazing in every way and

 I am glad we have been able to share it with you all!