Bringing pets from your home country

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

If indeed it would be traumatic and possibly harmful for the animal then the MAN ought to research that and present that information to his wife so SHE can make an informed decision. Then the man can carry that out for her.

Because a WOMAN can't do research or make any calls on her own. All the German women I know are pretty smart, determined and resourceful who probably wouldn't enjoy the he-man "WOMAN, here is the data. Now, I, the MAN, will do it for you" attitude. But hey, I hate being a woman.

Presenting what data you have is helpful as is offering to assist in whatever way you can (including doing everything if she wants). As a former rabbit owner, I agree that they are delicate creatures. Perhaps getting a local vet's opinion on the animals' constitution might be helpful as well. Whatever decision you make, best of luck to you and your wife.

[Moomin 292]

Regardless of the money aspect, the real issue is survivability. A long plane ride will induce much stress. A dog, for example, can be given a pill to calm it down, make it sleepy. No such thing for a rabbit. If the animal is DOA, then what?

It can but most advise against calming the animals(esp. dogs) down with pills on an airplane. Dogs are less likely to be exposed to the same amount of stress as a rabbit(depending on the breed of course). Best thing is simply to wear the dog out physically(take it for a long walk, have it use its nose).

I did about anything I could to bring my dog here. I took her out for a walk for 5 hours some hours prior to departure. That calmed her down in a natural way. Had a layover where she was walked and let out of her cage.

OP, as much as I know what it's like to be devoted to a pet, you have to think about it from the animal's perspective, so does your wife. Don't just suggest to buy her new ones - that's not the point, since new ones won't replace the ones she has now. I agree with the other poster saying to give the rabbits to a loving home, and then figure out what to do about the cats.

Edited March 14, 2012 by moomin

[davidb79 2]

Because a WOMAN can't do research or make any calls on her own. All the German women I know are pretty smart, determined and resourceful who probably wouldn't enjoy the he-man "WOMAN, here is the data. Now, I, the MAN, will do it for you" attitude.

Hehe. If this were Facebook, I'd definitely "like" that comment.

Thanks so much to all of you for your feedback. I forgot to check this in the last day or so and was pleasantly surprised to come back to 3 pages of posts. You've all given me a lot to think about. My preference would be to find a loving home that my wife feels good about to take the rabbits, perhaps with the understanding that, when the time is right and if we feel like the trip won't be harmful to them, we can bring them here. As for the cats, since her dad already has one, I don't think it's such a big deal for him to continue watching them, and I feel much more confident about them being able to make the trip when the time comes.

But dealing with the rabbits is going to be hard on her. I can sympathize, because after my divorce, my ex gave away my 2 birds and 2 cats and took the 3 dogs, who I haven't seen since November and probably will never see again. People can say they are "just animals," but the connections we develop with them are very real and very strong.

Thanks again.

[Enigma11561 336]

Nice story here.

I actually went to Moscow to buy my dog, a Black Russian Terrier. Although fully grown at 95 pounds or so, she was just a bitty thing when we came home. I had her in a flexible carrier on my lap. The breeder had put her in a "bumper" ( diaper) which I had to change a few times during the flight. Not a big deal. During the flight, I would take her out and puppies being so adorable, the next thing I knew the other passengers wanted to pet her. She was a good girl with no barking or anything. Quiet as a mouse. The flight attendants were a bit annoyed that the dog was out of her carrier but the passengers just told them to sit down and shut up, as they enjoyed petting the dog. Long flight and it helped pass the time. Upon arrival at JFK, I had to present the dog, now named Tasha, to the doggie immigration people. I handed over all her papers and the guy asked what was this. I said her papers. He said but it is all in Russian. I said of course she is a Russian dog.Dumbfounded, he just said to go home, make sure she had her shots and goodby. Guess he did not want to deal with translation at 10PM. Been six years now. So I guess you can say I now have TWO RW's in the house. And yes, Tasha is bi-lingual !

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Because a WOMAN can't do research or make any calls on her own. All the German women I know are pretty smart, determined and resourceful who probably wouldn't enjoy the he-man "WOMAN, here is the data. Now, I, the MAN, will do it for you" attitude. But hey, I hate being a woman.

Presenting what data you have is helpful as is offering to assist in whatever way you can (including doing everything if she wants). As a former rabbit owner, I agree that they are delicate creatures. Perhaps getting a local vet's opinion on the animals' constitution might be helpful as well. Whatever decision you make, best of luck to you and your wife.

True. I bet she can even pay for BC pills if she had to without asking a bunch of men to force someone else to pay for them for her. Sorry if I offended independent women by suggesting a man not tell his wife "NO" out of hand because rabbits are cheap. Sorry if I offended by suggesting there may be more than monetary value at stake for the woman and that since the woman asked the man about it that he step up and handle it.

Sorry if I offended some independent women with suggestions that have worked in a successful marriage with a highly educated and independent woman and with the actual experience of importing two animals. which could have been replaced cheaper than brought here.