Bringing Luci Home

In my last post, I shared how I met Luci, and why I wanted to bring her home. Today, I’ll share how easy it is to bring a foreign dog home to Canada, and our experience doing so.

With the help of my mom’s cousin, we were able to drop Luci off at a vet clinic while we headed to our final destination of our trip. On the way to the vet, I looked up what requirements were needed to be able to bring her home to Canada, and was shocked at how easy it was. All she needed was her Rabies Vaccination Certificate! I then went online and purchased her plane ticket, which costed approximately $350 CAD. It was at this point that reality really began to sink in – I was really bringing this little pooch home.

Luci spent 3 nights at the vet clinic, where they removed all her ticks and flees, bathed her, tended to her injury, and gave her the rabies shot. Four short days later, we came to pick her up from the vet to bring her home. The vet said she was a great patient and was estimated to be 2-3 years old based on her teeth. I was worried what the vet bill would be, but the total racked up to be less than $150 CAD! That included her stay, medication, rabies shot, a collar and leash, and a cone so she couldn’t lick her wound. I was very grateful.

I was to fly back with my brother, his girlfriend, my brother in law, and my nephew, while my mom, sister, and niece stayed back for a few more days. In Chile there’s this great liquor called Pisco, which is a type of brandy produced in Peru and Chile. We had all agreed to each buy two bottles at the airport since it was much cheaper to purchase in Chile.

My mom drove Luci and I to the airport separately so we could stop and get her a dog crate. We had her measurements from the vet, so we found a crate that would work for her. My mom came in with me while we went to check Luci in, and what does the airport staff tell us? “Sorry miss, the dog’s crate is too small. She won’t be able to fly today”.

My mom and I looked at each other and had a moment of panic. The man told us that there had to be at least 10 cm between the top of the cage and her head when she’s standing. Keep in mind that we’re already getting close to boarding time and I haven’t gone through security yet.

My mom raced out to meet up with her cousin so they could go grab a larger crate. The rest of my family headed towards security to board the plane while Luci and I sat in the airport by the doors awaiting their return for what felt like hours. Finally, I see my mom running through the doors with a giant cage that could probably fit three Luci’s in it. We raced back to the man where he did his measurements and said she was all set to fly, and for me to hurry to security so I could board the plane in time. I said my goodbye’s and thank you’s to my mom and headed on my way.

When I arrived at security, the line was super long. I was beginning to panic, so I approached a nearby security guard to see if there was any way I could be put through the line quicker. Luckily, he gave one of the border security agents a wave and led me to him. I raced through to find my gate, and when I arrived, I was one of the last few people to board the plane. What a relief that was! I met up with my family and found my seat. The first thing my brother in law says to me when I got there: “Did you grab the pisco?”. I just laughed and told them what had happened, and then sat back and relaxed for the 10+ hour flight home.

I couldn’t wait to get home and introduce Luci to Mickey, our then 15-year old family dog.