The Saga of Jame's Travel to Malta: Getting James ready for travel was an event in itself. Malta has strict requirements: The dog must have a passing rabies titer, performed by an EU-approved lab (there is only one such lab in the U.S.). His antibody level was was too low the first test, which required he be re-vaccinated, wait 30 days, and draw blood again for the test. He had a passing antibody level the second test. Malta also requires tick and tapeworm treatment 24-48 hours in advance of travel. Then the appropriate documents had to be signed and stamped (sealed) by the USDA State Veterinarian. So I had to work backwards in making appointments and flight arrangements (for overseas shipping, where the dog is unaccompanied, we must use a broker to get the shipping arrangements made.) And Malta requires an import certificate, which must be obtained in advance of anything else. So the schedule was worked in reverse: Flight booked for March 12, with a check - in time of 10:00 am (flight was 1:00 pm). The appointment with the USDA veteriniarian was for March 11, at 11:00 am. (Originally was 9:00 am, but.... expecting puppies, so I moved it to 2 hours later). The appointment with our vet was originally for March 11, 8:30 am to get the health paperwork, tick and tapeworm treatment accomplished. That appointment was moved to March 10, 6:15 pm, with puppies due....I was worried Ellie would be delivering at 7:00 am - and she did go into labor and produce the first puppy at 7:30 a.m. - the second puppy was born at 10:55 a.m., five minutes from the USDA veterinarian's office! - I was right to change the appointment times!) Other Required documents: EU veterinary certificate 998; Rabies Titer Results from the approved laboratory; 1/2 page health certificate, and Rabies certificate. All of which are stamped and signed by the USDA Veterinarian, and the EU certificate given a serial number. Malta also requires knowing the serial # and the flight plans in advance. The broker requires a multi-page form with shipper and consignee details, date of travel, and payment in advance. Ok, the hard part was done....and Friday morning (March 12) came, and James and I arrived at the Cargo Office (Luftansa) with an envelope of paperwork, dog, and food. The cargo agent took a set of papers, checked James in, and I went to work, knowing James would arrive in Malta on the 15th.  James, on the scale at Cargo.
The fun started Sunday morning, at 5:00 a.m. with my cell phone ringing (for some reason, I'd forgotten to turn it off): Stella was on the line. "Helen, James is in Frankfurt, they're going to send him home! They say his papers are not right!" I was awake instantly. I spent the next 2 hours on the phone and computer, looking up phone numbers in Europe to find the right persons to speak with or email. I found them. James was, I knew, at the Animal Lounge in Frankfurt. The persons I spoke with (one asked I call back, English not good, so I tried the other phone number) were all pleasant, and I was informed that his titer certificate was not among the papers. I had that on the computer, so I sent it to the email address I was given, with the request that a call be made to let me know any other details (such as when he'd be released to continue his journey). The call revealed that the originals were missing; they'd received copies. I located the packet of paperwork, and found inside the originals: the cargo agent had taken the copies and sent them. EEEK! Another call: The originals are here; the cargo agent took the wrong copies, how do I get them to you? I could either sent them Luftansa Company Mail, or "overnight" the papers. ("Overnighting" to Europe just doesn't happen: It takes 3 days - shipping on Monday would get them there Wednesday. I opted for Company Mail, they would have them one day earlier.) I was assured James was doing well, receiving good care, and was "almost a VIP" at the Animal Lounge. I'd sent enough food for 4 days with him. I'd also sent along 3 of his favorite toys for 'company'. The Animal Lounge confirmed 3/16 that the papers had arrived; and he would continue his journey to Malta on 3/17. This was an ordeal, very worrisome for Stella and I. Next time: any originals will go into an envelope clearly marked "Originals" so the cargo agent cannot make a mistake and take the wrong set! Kudos to Luftansa's Animal Lounge in Frankfurt - they were wonderful to work with, and responded quickly to my calls and emails, to help me figure out what had gone wrong and what was needed. The State Veterinarian in Malta was also very good. | 
