Flying with a dog

jessanddane · #1 November 7th, 2011, 08:14 AM

Anyone have advice about flying with a dog. We just found out we're being stationed in Guam in June. We also have a large great dane that we don't want to find a home for. We all love her very much. There are a million restrictions already just for getting her on the island without being quarantined. I'm having a hard time finding an airline that will fly a 140lb dog in June. The flight is a 20 hour flight, so they said she would have to overnight in Honolulu. Anyone flown with a large dog before? Advice, suggestions???

Ally-Mac · #2 November 7th, 2011, 08:20 AM

Wow! My geography sucks because I thought Guam was somewhere in Central or South America until I read 20 hour flight! I will confess I just had to google map Guam

That's such a long flight with a toddler and a dog! Good luck. No advice (I don't have a dog). What other restrictions do they have so he won't be quarantined upon arrival??

jessanddane · #3 November 7th, 2011, 08:38 AM

There is a list of shots a mile long we had to get her. Several blood tests, microchipped (which she was already). They are trying to keep the island rabies free. So they have lots of tests that they have to have the results of 120 days in advance. So far, the only thing I have found out is that 35" is the maximum crate that the airline will allow in the cargo dept. She is 33" at the ears. I'm afriad we're going to go board her, and they are going to say she is too big.

SarahBethsMommy · #4 November 8th, 2011, 05:16 AM

Can you buy her a seat? I've heard of people taking small dogs on planes with them, but not big dogs like that. Maybe just try calling airlines and seeing?

#5 November 8th, 2011, 08:06 AM

I have no advice but WOW Guam... Seth was in Guam for 2 weeks last year and LOVED it. You guys are going to have a nice adventure. I really hope you find a way to fly your dog. Moving with pets is so hard.

sfarrow3 · #6 November 8th, 2011, 08:49 AM

I had friends who were stationed in Guam and loved it as well!!! Im so excited for you guys!! keep us posted on the move!!

starrsgirl · #7 November 8th, 2011, 08:55 AM

Did you ask this at the military board yet? I bet someone there will know. I'm super jealous about guam too! How long are you there? If it's a year, maybe it would be easier to find a "foster" home for the duration?

When we traveled with pets overseas when I was younger, we just did the quarantine thing. It wasn't bad because we were finding a place to live and moving household goods so its not like we could really have the pet right then anyway.

Jule'sMomInOR · #8 November 8th, 2011, 09:25 AM

I have no advice either. I looked into flying with my golden retriever when we went on a 2 week trip and decided it wasn't worth the hassle, but that was for 2 weeks and not a year. Good luck! Guam sounds very exciting!

jessanddane · #9 November 8th, 2011, 11:21 AM

It would be a 3 year billet. And the quarantine thing just isn't an option for us. Jasmine is a senior (8 yr old, thats old for a gd), and I dont think she would survive the 120 day quarantine. She would be super heartbroken. We have had a few people offer to take her, but I really dont want to do that. We all love her very much. Thanks for everyone's help. I will check the military board.

TxgirlinKy · #10 November 9th, 2011, 05:01 PM

Have you thought about a private transport/ cargo company?
I am military and I fly...I assume that you are flying over on a commercial airliner but I would be really worried about letting them take my dog in the middle of summer. If they load the dog early or someone forgets them on a layover then they are stuck in the luggage compartment with no air.
A private company would use a cargo aircraft and the dog would be in the main compartment with all the other cargo.
Just an idea...I would hate to see anything happen to your dog...I love great danes!