We miss our pets

A big hole in our hearts as we live in Portugal is we have left half our family behind, and are trying to resolve bringing them over.

It has been one of the hardest things we have ever done, they are part of our family. They are our friends, they love us unconditionally.

There is not a day that goes by that we don’t talk about them or think about them, – the difficulty is without being settled or having found a place, is the place pet friendly, are we staying here?

• 

• 

Daisy is boxer and a real character, she has a big character even though she is a small dog, she is Savannah’s dog, she and Savannah have cuddled every night for the last 4 years. She was born on Valentine’s Day, and is so loved. She is currently being looked after by our tenants daughter Emily, who sends videos on a bi daily basis. She looks happy and Emily is a kind, loving person who have entrusted her with. Daisy is one of a kind, we almost think she is human. She has real emotions and you can literally see her thinking as she plans her next move.

The dogs are not just pets they are family. Leaving them has been a real challenge, – I have no advise to others immigrating as I have not yet figured this out, this is one of the outstanding issues that we are trying to sort out. We have done the injections and have all the papers, but are not ready to bring them over. The cost of bringing them over is R 58’000,00 (3,000 euro’s) but worth every penny. Would you leave your children behind?

John and Grant moved to Australia and we had to say good-bye to our dearest friend Lacy, who has been the most incredible pet and fiend to all of us. I doubt I will ever see her again? She had to sit in quarantine for 4 weeks.

Major, is the other member of our family, he is a Great Dane, clumsy with no spacial awareness but the most loving friend you can imagine. He is Matthews companion, he was such a big part of our lives. His bark would echo across Noordhoek as he took on his protective role as the King of the Mountain.

Rex, (Skye’s son) is the most amazing dog, rather lazy, he always finds his spot in the sun to sleep and enjoy his afternoon nap, – he lives to eat and sleep. He has a wolf howl which wakes every person in the vicinity. He is my special friend.

Moving the horses is impossible, so our lovely Cristina has taken on the responsibility and ICEMAN is now hers, and the Knott’s have taken on Lolla, at least they all still on our property, so they are at home. John has leased another in Australia.

So not everything can be resolved in a day or a month, but the intention is to get our children here and home with us. I am sure others who have made a move across a continent have faced similar problems.