Our repatriation to the U.S. is complete. We made the trek yesterday from San Jose, Costa Rica to Houston, Texas without incident. It was the first of four airplane rides the three of us will take before picking up our tow vehicle in Vernon, Texas next Saturday.
Everything went fine - no lost luggage, misplaced passports or delayed flights. Best of all, Sprocket - traveling for the next week under the name "Pervis the Service Dog" - performed brilliantly! The little guy, who, under untested conditions, tends to reach a state of nervousness bordering on apoplexy, did everything that was asked of him and more without a single breakdown.
Of all the things we had to deal with in preparation for Friday's flight, the most stressful (for me, at least) was making sure that Sprocket's re-entry into the country went smoothly. I knew he'd be fine, but I wasn't sure just what difficulties we might face dealing with the various airline and customs personnel we would encounter throughout the day.
I am happy to report that the process went off without a hitch. In fact, U.S. Customs in Houston didn't even ask to see the requisite certificate of health I'd been told would be needed to bring Sprocket into the country.
(I confess that this kind of chafed me a bit as I'd gone to some pains and expense to get the damn certificate from our vet in Atenas, Costa Rica.)
We'll spend the next few days hanging out in Houston for a brief respite before heading to our next stop, Sioux Falls, SD. (Let's see, now. Where did I pack those snow shoes?)
Everything went fine - no lost luggage, misplaced passports or delayed flights. Best of all, Sprocket - traveling for the next week under the name "Pervis the Service Dog" - performed brilliantly! The little guy, who, under untested conditions, tends to reach a state of nervousness bordering on apoplexy, did everything that was asked of him and more without a single breakdown.
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| Sprocket enjoys his first rawhide chew after a long flight. |
I am happy to report that the process went off without a hitch. In fact, U.S. Customs in Houston didn't even ask to see the requisite certificate of health I'd been told would be needed to bring Sprocket into the country.
(I confess that this kind of chafed me a bit as I'd gone to some pains and expense to get the damn certificate from our vet in Atenas, Costa Rica.)
We'll spend the next few days hanging out in Houston for a brief respite before heading to our next stop, Sioux Falls, SD. (Let's see, now. Where did I pack those snow shoes?)
Welcome back! Glad the travels went smoothly. (Yeah, that whole vet certificate thing is a pain, but better to have it and not need it than vice versa!) We found that getting all our critters back in to the states was by far the most stressful, although in the end it all worked out fine.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Sally and Leonard. Let us know if you come through Tucson, and we'll try to hook up with you.
ReplyDeleteBonnie and Joe
Miss you guys and Sprocket already but glad it all went OK.
ReplyDeleteHappy travels! I am AMAZED about the Sprocket thing, not that he did not convulse along the journey, but that his (very cute) little vest apparently enabled all of the requirements for his reentry to be overlooked! (What's the US version of "Pura Vida"??)
ReplyDeleteOnward and upward!
That's my boy!!! I knew he'd hang in there. Miss you guys!! Kiss Sprocket for me.
ReplyDeleteYou know that if you skimped on the doggie certificate that was going to be the first document they would ask for. Just be glad you no longer have to put up will all that requisite Cost Rican bullshit! Take care. We're gonna miss you guys.
ReplyDelete