Quampapetet

Quam, seriously.........for someone who's dog is fighting cancer, to be so cavalier about vaccinating properly.....be careful what you recommend for others to do. At the very least, please recommend that they speak with their Vet about this. before suggesting they NOT GET VACCINATED!!!! If you have ever witnessed a dog who was not protected by this vaccine get deathly ill you would not be so adverse to it!!!!!!

 

ALWAYS speak to your Vet about the best thing to do for your dog. They know best how to care and treat your treasured possession!

 

Your reply makes no sense, since over vaccinating could lead to cancer. Again, the vaccine only offers a little protection and is not really recommended anymore. If you must give it because of doggy daycare requirements or import requirements, give the nasal spray and never the shot version.

 

Do not just speak to your vet, but do your research, just as you do with your own health. Not all vets keep up with the "latest" (years old, not just months old) research and information and many vets push vaccinations (even yearly ones still) because of the money or perks from using them. Not all vets have your animals' best interest in mind or as the first priority, sadly. But, same goes for doctors for humans, so I guess it isn't too surprising.

She loved all the petting and attention, and for me it was a training opportunity for a more controlled sit and "Say Hello." I think she liked sniffing the sea air and new smells at the ports.

 

Her favorite part though was riding in the back of a convertible - like a high school homecoming queen in a parade - between the two of us on St. Croix all day.

 

Ah, yes, my girl loves sniffing the air, especially when it is windy - and it is windy on a moving cruise ship!

 

The convertible sounds like fun!

Funniest elevator moment - it stopped for new people getting on, getting pretty crowded, and I gave Raylene a command quietly (I thought) to "Back Up." All the other passengers obediently started shuffling little steps backward. I explained I was talking to the dog, not them.

 

Too funny!!! They must have thought you were quite the bossy one! ;)

 

Glad you had a great cruise with Raylene!! What was her favorite part?

Well, I set up Pedro's vet appointment for the week before we leave for our cruise. It's the last day our vet will be there before he takes a vacation, so I grabbed the slot now. We went over the requirements. They have the ISO chip in stock, and most of the vaccines. One has to be ordered. The question came up regarding Bordetella shots. It's not on the list of vaccinations required, but do you think it's a good idea to get one?

 

Typically, vaccinations need to be done at least one month prior to the trip, so you should schedule a separate appointment for getting the vaccines done. Never, ever get your dog any vaccines that are not needed due to laws or import requirements (after the puppy shots are finished at a year old)! Over-vaccination is a real thing and can hurt dogs or shorten dogs' lives. Titer for vaccines other than rabies to see if the dog needs to be re-vaccinated, which is unlikely. My twelve-year-old dog's titers came back great even after being on chemo for lymphoma - she has not gotten any vaccines (other than rabies, since the laws and import regulations require it, and Leptospirosis, since the import regulation for where we go each year requires it and that particular one doesn't last for more than a year in their systems) since her puppy shots.

 

So, no, don't get the bordetella shot - and, like the flu shot for humans, it only protects against a few strains, not all, so it isn't really worth it.

 

Since I live in Pennsylvania and my vet is in New Jersey, does it matter which state I get the USDA form 7001 stamped and sealed? I hope not, because it would be easier to get to the one in NJ.

 

I am not certain, but I don't believe it matters, as those are just regional offices which are all controlled by the federal USDA. My vet just told me, when I got a health certificate the other day, that our regional office has moved out of our state - that's a bummer, as if I ever need it again, it means that now I have to mail everything overnight and include a return overnight mailer instead of going in person - and if there should be an issue with the paperwork, that could be a big problem due to the delay!

 

Anyway, when you call to make your appointment, just ask them if it is okay to go there. If they are like the one that used to be here, they only book appointments up to two weeks in advance of the day you want the appointment for. And you could not go without an appointment. Do remember to bring proof of your dog's service dog training so you don't have to pay for the endorsement!

 

Have any of you been denied entry into a port for some reason...other than the ones we know won't allow our dogs?

 

No, but I heard about it happening to a lady who stupidly didn't have even an inkling of the necessary paperwork (didn't look up the requirements or didn't think they applied to her).

 

How many copies of each document should I bring? Should I get more than one original copy of Form 7001?

 

I don't mean to be a pain. I just want to make sure all of my ducks are in a row before we leave. Thanks.

 

Cindra

 

You don't need more than one health certificate (they are filled in by hand), just make copies of the one you get and hold onto the original. If you want, make a copy for each country, plus one for the ship - don't forget to count your return port (such as the US) as a country needing one.

 

You are not a pain, don't worry! We definitely understand about needing to be sure you have everything covered before the trip!!

Because, if they were smarter they wouldn't be doing this in the first place!

 

Why would someone want to hurt someone who depends on a dog to live a complete and full life bring their pet into the public just because they can?

 

They are very selfish people, that's why. Some don't think they could possibly be hurting anyone and some just don't care one bit.

 

Even a bunch of celebrities faked their pets as service dogs to get them on planes this holiday season - so disgusting!

So, we're in Vons Market, I'm in line checking out. Horton stands right next to my cart and, of course, there's the myriad of folks; some avoiding him; some trying to sneak a pat; some just staring at him and trying to read his vest.

 

Horton wears a name tag from my office [as we all do, because it's a "high security" type office], it has his picture and name on it and always garners interest from the public. It would be a great idea if CCI would make them for all our dogs. His name ALWAYS makes people repeat it......"HORTON", "HORTON", "what a cute and funny name!" Just because he looks like Marmaduke doesn't count!

 

Then a young man, in line behind me, proceeds to tell me the story of his girlfriend who brings her "pet" Maltese everywhere she goes and even bought a fake vest online so she could take him into the stores and restaurants. He says, "isn't that a great idea!" Boy, did he open a "can of worms!"

 

The discussion took on a different light. You know me, I became incensed and he became defensive.......lovely evening at the market!!!! :rolleyes:

 

I'm on a roll now, that's three people this week alone who have told me about them sneaking their dogs into public places and bragging about it........they're telling the wrong gal!!!! And, they'd better stop preaching to the choir!!!

 

That's terrible!! Why do the fakers love to tell real service dog teams about how they fake their pets as service dogs?!?!

Hey All, I finally got 5 mimutes on the laptop. Hate this thing. I wish this site had a phone app so I could check in once in a while. Everything is good here. Just trying to get through the holidays so we can get on this cruise. Im trying to get the kids to do their online checkin so we can print their express docs. Its like pulling teeth. I usually do Lees but he has his own reservation with the gf so they both have to do it.

 

Going down to moms for xmas with john, then to his sisters after dinner. Going to be a busy day. once thats over i can concentrate on the cruise. Lee is all freaked out cuz he actually has to do his own packing. lol Life is tough when you turn 30 and have a gf.

 

Wex and john are good. looking forward to their holiday week off.

 

Hope everyone has a great holiday and a happy new year!!

 

Love you all

Cindy

 

Search your phone's app store for the "Tapatalk" app.

Now that we have the ball rolling with port requirements and documentation, my next question is about shore excursions. Have you found tour operators willing to accommodate your dog? We are also traveling with a scooter/wheelchair user. I guess you could call us the walking wounded...me with my cane, my DH with Pedro and our friend with her scooter. Her DH is the only one without a handicap. I jokingly told him he should get a pair of sunglasses and a white cane to fit in.:p

 

Where wouldn't you take your dog?

 

Check for any access laws in each country (for example, Mexico grants access to only guide dogs - at least, they did years ago when I went). If they don't have any (most in the Caribbean won't), you will have to educate them on what service dogs are, how well they are trained, what they do, and then ask if your dog can come. Some might be afraid of dogs or not like dogs due to cultural differences, but I have never had an issue save for one excursion a dog could not physically go on because everyone needed to go down a straight ladder (something that I might not have been able to do, either). So, unlike in the US, you can't just book the excursion without asking about the service dog first.

 

I don't do the cruise ship excursions, as they cost a lot more than private excursions and private excursions are great because you are in charge of where to go on a tour and such.

 

The scooter might be hard just because the tour van/vehicle might not be able to accommodate it. Can your friend use a manual wheelchair that can be folded to fit in a car on excursions that can't take the scooter? (She will need to bring one with her, either her own or a borrowed/rented one.)

 

Oh, and where wouldn't I go? Well, I was definitely not upset that I couldn't get off at Jamaica! ;) I wouldn't go sky diving or zip lining. We did do a helicopter excursion, which I highly recommend. (I got my girl Mutt Muffs, doggy hearing protection, for the helicopter trip.) I wouldn't go white river rafting. So, basically, anything not safe for the pooch.

Oh good! I'm glad others dress up their dogs to cruise. Pedro actually has his own suitcase. He tends to get cold, and with the heavy air conditioning on board, I want to make sure he is comfortable. I know for sure he will not sit on the marble floors. His little butt doesn't like cold floors. If I tell him to sit, on a tile floor, he just looks at me and then at his butt..almost to say, "No way..." Once he is on carpeting, he sits just fine. Luckily, the dining rooms are carpeted.

 

That's hilarious! :D My girl loves cool/cold floors and often seeks them out at home when she gets too warm on the sofa, bed, or carpet/rug.

 

She needs her own "suitcase" (it is a wide-mouth duffel bag), and sometimes (for multi-week trips) a second bag, for all her food, supplements, poop bags, first aid kit, light-duty harness (she wears her regular mobility harness on the plane), etc. For a cruise, she has a third bag for the potty faux grass (the second bag holds the potty pads that go under it, as she doesn't need that bag for food when it is just a week-long cruise).

 

I recently got new dry food travel bags from Planet Dog that I am looking forward to using on our upcoming trip. They are designed like dry bags that hikers, paddlers, rafters, etc. use to keep their stuff dry. They have a pretty stripes pattern on them and come in several color choices. I love my previous bags, which just zipped up, but the place I got them from went out of business on the Internet, so I couldn't get more, which I needed for this five-week trip (they barely fit enough food for the three-week trip last year). I am happy with the new bags, though of course I haven't used them yet. Remind me to report back about them in January if you're interested!

 

Oh, and for formal nights, I have put a bow/feather barrette in my girl's hair before. The group we were with sometimes had our own themes, so she wore a pirate bandanna and pirate hat (I think) to the group party (only within the private space for the group as far as anything like a hat/beyond a bandanna went). I often put a trip-related bandanna on her for the length of the trip.

1. DH took our first red doberman for a walk in the neighborhood right before Christmas. She wasn't full grown, more like a teenager. They passed a little girl in her yard, and she went running into the house saying, "Mommy, mommy, I saw a REINDEER!" :D

 

2. We went camping at Zion National Park with our second red doberman (probably about a teenager, too). We were setting up camp when friends came back from a hike (they had come the day before) . The wife said to her DH, "Oh look, they brought their pet goat." :eek::D

 

LOL!!

 

Several years ago, in I think an Asian country, there was a trend to buy Poodles - except some con men were selling sheep to people and telling them they were Poodles! I have no idea how they didn't realize the difference, but I guess they were fooled somehow!

[b]

 

Cindra, I wish I was going with you so I could show you how easy it all really is.

 

1. I HATE mornings and they hate me. I come down in my pj's because it will be very early. Of course, it seems they always pick an area that's at the complete opposite of your cabin. So, you're walking past a lot of earlybirds with your charming self. And, I must say, I'm not a pretty picture but they've asked for it and they're getting it. Keep a smile on your face and don't over think or over talk! Make sure you've pottied him before your meeting.

 

I am not a morning person, but get off the ship soon after it docks so I can go on excursions, so am dressed and ready to go that early on a cruise port day. The one time a country saw us in person, it did not prevent the ship from being cleared and other passengers got off while I was still with the country people (I remember this because the rest of my group got off before I was done, then I met them outside in the cruise center shopping area). But, who cares what people you won't ever see again think about your bedhed and PJs (as long as you are family-appropriate - no lingerie, LOL!!)?

 

2. If Pedro has a Service Vest make sure he's wearing it the morning of your meeting with Immigration. Make sure he's on his best behavior. Put him in a "down/stay" position. No sniffing around.

 

3. Bring ALL Pedro's paperwork and your Passport.

 

4. Sometimes they want to interact with the dog, sometimes not. I had it both ways. Some agents will examine your dog, some could care less.

 

5. There will be an agent from the ship who will act as interpreter so don't worry about any language barriers.

 

6. I have NEVER, in over 19 cruises with my dogs, been denied entry into any country and except for the following: One over zealous Immigration official, who wanted to examine Brenda's paws, and one who had to get permission to allow her on the train to Zermatt, Switzerland, and a guard in Canada who wouldn't let us into the gardens and then into a restaurant. It's all pretty normal stuff for a dog traveling with you.

 

In New York, a cab driver swore at me in some language about Brenda getting into his cab and not being allowed to sit on the seat but rather she had to stay on the floor, as he pointed angrily at me and yelled; I made him pullover to the curb and pull the dang passenger seat forward so there was more room for her.

 

The appropriate place for a service dog is on the floor of a cab, not the seat.

 

Canada's access laws vary by province and some allow businesses to require a doctor's letter from you if they are not sure your dog is a legit service dog.

 

In Paris there were dogs everywhere. I had to watch that she didn't get nipped or attacked more than I had to excuse her in the restaurants, where there was dog poop on the floor [not from Brenda], it all seemed quite normal to all the patrons, who just stepped very lightly around the stuff!

 

Gross!! Nobody even picked it up?! Can you imagine how bad it would be if pets were allowed places here in the US?! :eek:

 

Go, take Pedro, enjoy! You'll sense when it just doesn't feel right to take him off the ship. Take a walk down the gangplank and look around, if the hair on the back of your neck stands up......shop at the little kiosks near the ship, take a walk on terra-firma for a bit and walk right back onto the ship. Use your own good sense.

 

When in doubt DON'T! ;)[b]

 

Yeah, those shops can be fun!! :)

First of all, thank you. I am feeling a little bit better about the whole process.

 

This morning, my vet's office called, and I spoke to the person who handles the details for certification. We went over Pedro's vaccinations, the requirements for each port and what we need to do. She said she has just done this for someone travelling to the Netherlands, but this will be her first cruise. LOL She had already spoken to the local USDA office and was told that we only had to comply with the regulations in each port, but only had to deal mainly with the first port(Aruba.) They said after the first port, we weren't coming from the US, we would be coming from the previous port. Is this correct in your experience? We will still be going by all of the requirements for each port though. We also discussed the flea/tick/mosquito situation and will get him started on a program. All but two vaccinations are up to date. Colombia requires the additional leptospirosis and coronavirus vaccines...which he will get. When I mentioned that Colombia was on the "screwworm list" she said she would call the USDA back for further info. If we have to keep him on board, we will. Everything will be ordered and the appointments with the vet and the USDA(for the seals) will be coordinated within 10 days of the date we leave home. We are driving, so we don't have to hassle with the airlines. Luckily, Pedro travels well by car.

 

Regarding the process on board in each port. Have you run into any problems or possible problems we may encounter? I want to be prepared for every situation. Do they look down on you if you show up for the customs meeting in your PJs?;) I don't do mornings well...

 

Have you ever NOT been cleared by customs in a port?

 

Cindra

 

Yes, you are coming from each port that was your last port. This is why you cannot get off at Cayman Islands if your cruise's last port was Mexico (at least, those were the regulations back when I was on such a cruise), as they do not allow dogs from Mexico in Cayman. Some places don't allow dogs who have been to certain countries within the past six months, too. And no, it doesn't matter if your dog didn't get off at the last port or not.

 

As long as you have your paperwork, just relax, as you shouldn't have any issues. I have not been not cleared by any port, but read about some lady who decided to not have any paperwork with her and then got mad when she wasn't allowed off the ship (durr!). You are doing the prep work, so should be just fine!

You sound like your pretty much set. Ask the Vet about the necessary updates on all vaccines.

 

While you're onboard the ship and before you get to each port the Purser's Desk will contact you. You will meet the Immigration Official for each port [that requires it] in the early morning, in a specific lounge or restaurant, before the ship is cleared to enter that port. They will want to see you, your dog and all his/her paperwork. Sometimes they collect the paperwork and do NOT return it and sometimes they look it over, give it back and let the officers onboard know that you've been cleared. NO ONE can leave the ship until EVERYONE has been cleared.

 

This is why I suggest making at least 4 copies of everything before you leave. Have a folder or envelope just for your dogs paperwork.

 

You will walk off the ship with the rest of the passengers, once you've been cleared.

 

When coming home, make sure to have your dog's paperwork, your passport and all customs forms ready to show the officials.

 

Remember, you have NOT visited a farm, ranch or gone horse back riding with your dog!

 

The occasional country will want to see your dog in person; I have only had this happen once. They met me in the sofa area in front of the customer service desk. They needed to scan for her chip. It was an easy process, but definitely do note where your dog's chip is located if it has migrated from the original location of between the shoulder blades! I hadn't taken note of it when our regular vet scanned for it and it took a long time for the country's employee to find it! It migrated to her right side. I don't know why it took so long, as he did wave it over that area (and all others) plenty, but it did finally work.

Well, I called my vet's office today and found out he is a USDA certified vet. Phew! I checked the embassy websites for the ports we are visiting...Aruba, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Jamaica. We decided not to take Pedro into Panama, since we will only be docked for a couple of hours, and Jamaica because we can't take him there as per their laws. As for the other three, Aruba requires the ISO 15 digit microchip, an int'l health certificate and vaccination records, Costa Rica requires the same cert and vaccination records. Colombia is a bigger pain in that we need extra vaccinations, for leptospirosis and coronavirus. He has the others they require...although he did have the one for lepto two years ago. I'll have to check on how long that one is good for. Also, Colombia is on the screwworm list...so we may have to skip that port too.:( Everyone seems to want an original copy. Do we have to get one for each port? Do they keep them or do they just look at them?

 

One thing I was wondering...when and what is the process for getting off the ship with the dog? Do we just get off with him or do we have to go through a special process? I just want to know what we should expect in each port. My DH suffers from PTSD and I don't want him to get set off from this process.

 

Oh yeah...what happens when we return to the US? Is there another process to go through before or after customs with the dog? I imagine I will need to have his records in hand along with my passport and customs form?

 

As for doing my taxes myself? Never again! I have an accountant do them every year. Creative people need help with those things.;)

 

Thanks.

 

So glad you can get the health certificate from your regular vet! That makes it much easier, as they know you and your dog and you don't have to get copies of all your dog's records and everything. This is why I am not going to switch vets for my current girl even though they have not been very good as of late (the oncologist and whole oncology practice are awesome - they are not in any way affiliated with the regular vet, in fact, the regular vet had originally referred me to an oncologist at a referral hospital, not this place that is closer to me and does only oncology).

 

Check to see if Aruba has exceptions for non-ISO chips, such as if you brought a chip reader for your chip with you (it is expensive to rent or buy one, but you could try asking your vet if they have one you can borrow, since they may have more than one scanner) or if they will give you an exception since you will only be there for a few hours with a trained, leashed dog who is always under your control.

 

Your dog may have received the coronavirus vaccine as part of his puppy shots, so you could titer for it - if not, you may not have enough time before your trip to do the full series (check with your vet about vaccinating an older dog for this). Lepto does only last for a year, unfortunately, so you will need to revaccinate for that (I have to do that one yearly for my girl for the Bahamas).

 

You just need one health certificate. The ship gives you the original paperwork back and gives the copies they make to the countries during customs or whatever (before anyone is allowed off the ship). All you do to get off the ship is scan your card and walk out the door, same as everyone else. Same with getting off back in the US. I would recommend you keep the paperwork with you when you leave the ship, though, just in case - at the very least, keep a copy of the rabies certificate with you.

 

I keep all of my dog's paperwork in a spiral-bound multi-folder I got at Staples. I just got a new one this summer, as some gross oily stuff somehow got on the outside of my original one and it just looked nasty (I didn't want to touch it!), so Staples still carries them.

 

I am a creative, too. Numbers are definitely not my thing!!

Yikes! I only have two months before our next cruise. We didn't have the dog prior to booking this cruise, so I am stuck with the ports now.

 

I am concerned about this screwworm country list. We are porting in Cartagena, Colombia, which is on the list. Can we even bring the dog into that country without having problems reentering the US? I'm having headaches over this whole process. I have checked the various embassy websites, which are very confusing, as most talk about importing dogs to stay in that country. The USDA APHIS site is equally as confusing. Their list of approved vets in my area is a whopping ONE. Is there a master list with more vets somewhere? Looks like I will be on the phone all day tomorrow. I wish there was someone to hold my hand through all of this red tape. The last time I felt this overwhelmed was when I had to do my tax returns myself. I was on the phone with the IRS the day before crying.

 

I also read on another site that Costa Rica, another of our ports, is dangerous for dogs because of insect bites that can be deadly to the dog. Is this true? Should we spray the dog before we go into port or put a special flea/tick collar on him?

 

Whatever the countries' rules are to import a dog, that's what you follow, since that is what you are doing even though it is just for several hours. (Obviously, you don't follow things listed for permanent importation/residency/stay such as getting a dog license and paying a permanent importation fee, if there is one.)

 

Which countries are you going to? Maybe we can help.

 

It can take a long time to figure out what some of these countries require and I have had to e-mail animal import departments and call embassies before. You might want to also call the USDA office in your region, though I am not sure if they will just refer you to their terrible Web site or not since I never tried that.

 

I don't know about the list of approved vets, as there are two approved vets at the vet office we go to (the regular vet, not the oncologist, of course) so I have never had to look one up. I suppose you could call vets in your area to see if they have any approved vets there, ask your regular vet if they know any, or call your regional USDA office to see if they have an updated list.

 

I have never heard of deadly insect bites, but it could be possible, I guess. I would ask the vet and the USDA about it. There are preventive you can use, such as fly and mosquito sprays, treated bandannas, etc. Your dog's regular flea/tick treatment should be adequate. Make sure you keep your dog on heartworm prevention - if you stopped it for the winter, you need to do a heartworm test before beginning it again (if your dog has heartworm, takes prevention, and is active, it could kill him), but it is actually best if you treat year-round no matter what climate you live in because mosquitoes are living/active for longer/in colder weather than previously thought, plus temperature can fluctuate.

 

Now, about doing taxes yourself - just what were you thinking?!?! :p

Quam - that sounds like a lovely canape buffet - doggy style! :D Just as well I'm a long way away! Glad she's doing so well.

 

She would love to partake in a buffet!! ;)

 

Love those photos you posted!!

We're in the car on our way to Florida for our cruise but if you can't find them, I can gladly scan and email a PDF in January!

 

Thanks, I will let you know if I can't find them!

[quote name='wizard-of-roz'][COLOR="Indigo"][B]One of my daughter's loves to make soup when she comes visiting. I will [U]NEVER[/U] look at a soup ladle the same ever again!!! [/B][/COLOR]:eek:[/QUOTE]

My vet gives a package for urine collection that includes the sample jar, rubber gloves, and a rectangular cardboard container that looks just like the ones they used to serve (and maybe still do) French fries in. :eek: I will never see those the same anymore!!

P.S. It is a lot easier to catch the sample when your pup is using a potty box instead of a whole yard. At the very least, use a leash for limited movement.

[quote name='Caribbean Chris']So glad she's doing better! I thought of you yesterday when I was reading "Your Dog," the newsletter from Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. There was a good article about palliative care for dogs with cancer. The January issue will have an article about nutrition, feeding dogs with cancer.[/QUOTE]

Interesting! I will have to see if I can get ahold of those issues - thanks!! :cool:

[quote name='rangeley']Hi All, just letting you know that I'm still alive and kicking. We still have no computer. John brings home his school laptop but it seems I never get a chance to get on it. For some reason this site is really hard to navigate on my tiny phone. Our cruise is in 2 months and I dont even know whats going on on the HAL boards. I love you all and miss all this. Hopefully I will be back someday.
Cindy[/QUOTE]

Have you tried using the board with the Tapatalk app on your phone?

[quote name='tvaud'][B]I just finished reading your previous post on "the process." I'm already exhausted just reading it.:p I'm so confused too. Now, not only do I have to get the international health certificate from the vet, but it has to be sent in to the local USDA office for the official seal. Then I have to get import forms filled out for each port. Do those have to get sent in to for a seal? How long does this usually take and when should I start for our 2/16/15 cruise? I'm starting to get overwhelmed. Each country's embassy should be able to provide these import forms? Do I need anything to get the dog back into the US when we return?

Thanks in advance for your help.

TV[/B][/QUOTE]

Not necessarily. Each country has their own regulations on importing dogs. Some require you to get the health certificate endorsed (stamped) by your regional USDA office while others do not require that (you just have your USDA-approved vet fill it out). Some have import permits while others do not. Some have fees while others do not. Some waive the fees for service dogs while others do not. Some require a rabies titer with a six-month wait after it while others require two rabies titers or do not require any rabies titers. Some require that you deworm the dog just before arrival while others do not. You get the picture.

So, start as soon as you look for cruises to see what each country requires so you can make an informed decision about which countries work for you. I did one (group) cruise with a country that required the titer with the six-month wait and, thankfully, I had just enough time to complete that before the cruise. So, start now to find out what the requirements are. (If you can't fulfill a country's requirements, you can still go on the cruise, but the dog cannot get off the ship at that port.)

For coming back into the States, you just need the health certificate.

BTW, be sure you also bring your rabies certificate with you even though the rabies vaccine is listed on the health certificate! One time, I didn't realize that my vet forgot to put on the health certificate that the rabies was the three-year vaccine and we were in the second or third year. Thankfully, I had the rabies certificate with me so I could prove it was the three-year quickly and easily, no international call to my vet needed.

Caribbean Chris, that's horrible about the faker you know! A service dog definitely cannot be trained in just a few lessons/weeks! Tasks take a while to train fully (distraction-proof) and public access takes a while, too. A good rule of thumb is IAADP's requirements for members' dogs of a minimum of six months or at least 120 hours of training. (For puppies from birth, it takes 18 to 24 months until they are solid.)

If you want to be disgusted by such fakers, check out Instagram #servicedog. :eek:

Thank you all for your kind words about my girl feeling better! She is doing well and eating well. :D The treats I ordered for her from Healthy Hound came a few days ago and she LOVES them!! You have to keep them in the fridge to keep them fresh (though you can also keep them out of the fridge, loosely covered, but the fridge is best) since they have no preservatives in them, but they don't get hard or anything in the fridge. She has been enjoying the carrot mini muffins, tiny pizza slices, beef and chicken twists, and carob-dipped biscotti. (I placed the order before the oncology appointment, so got a lot because she wasn't eating her regular food and I thought I would lose her soon.)

My puppy is also doing well in training, already good at the off-leash recall and doing great learning the soft-mouth retrieve. She is five months old now and growing! :) I am looking forward to seeing her again in February!!

Roz, do keep us updated on the Happy Tails situation!

My girl is doing a LOT better and is pretty much back to normal! The lymph nodes are down and she is frisky and eating well and everything. What a difference treating it early makes! (Last time, our regular vet was nonchalant about the enlarged lymph nodes and then was pretty terrible to us. I will never take my new pup there! The only reason I didn't change vets already is we have been going there for so long and it is not the time to go around checking out different vets and all.)