04/19/2026
Meeko the Frenchie is finally in Germany 🇩🇪✈️🐾
This journey has been a year in the making. Last fall, we bought his IATA compliant kennel so he could get used to sleeping in it. In January, he had his vaccine booster appointment, and we confirmed all the required paperwork the owner would need since his regular vet would not be issuing the health certificate. Then, last month, we began closely monitoring the weather, since snub nosed breeds must travel when temperatures are under 80°F. Because his owners are moving during peak Texas heat, we knew from day one that he would need to travel ahead of them. Every step was carefully planned with his safety and comfort in mind, but we also wanted to minimize the time he would be with his Aunt and Uncle in Germany waiting for the rest of his family to join him.
Of course, international travel doesn’t always go as planned. A last minute aircraft issue canceled his original flight last weekend. Thanks to experience, quick communication from Lufthansa, and staying close to the airport, we were able to adapt quickly, taking him home, reworking the plan, and keeping everything moving forward.
When rebooking, we faced additional challenges due to union strikes. This meant we had to pivot fast, as there were very few days when everything aligned: safe temperatures, a valid health certificate, and minimal risk of cancellations.
We owe a huge thank you to the incredible Lufthansa staff in Dallas. Their dedication to pet safety and their sense of urgency truly make a difference when navigating complex moves like this. They went above and beyond this past week to help secure a flight for yesterday, especially given the cooler weather window we needed.
