Suggestions on getting a puppy to TX from Saskatchewan

Gator6x4 · Mar 31, 2017

EddieWalker said:
We're run into a bit of a situation getting a puppy that is currently in North Battleford Saskatchewan. The owner of the puppy thought she could just take it to Edmonton and put it on a non stop flight to Houston. That's a four hour drive each way from where I live, which is worth it for a non stop flight. Unfortunately, US Customs require Rabies shots and Vet paperwork a month after the shots have been given. The puppy has to be 3 months old for the shots, so it would have to be 4 months old to fly out of Canada. It's 8 weeks old right now and we do not want to wait that long.

The two options that we have come up with are driving up there, which is about 29 hours of driving each way. The owner of the puppy said she would drive a good part of the way to meet us, so maybe we could cut it down and meet half way.

If she is willing to drive half way, then she could also make it to Minneapolis and put the puppy on a flight that flies directly to Dallas from there.

This seems to be our only two options. I'm hitting a wall at coming up with another idea, or a better option for all involved.

Does anybody out there have an idea that I can look into getting this puppy from Northern Saskatchewan to East Texas?

Thank you,
Eddie

Your call on the road trip. It will be risky at best. People have had animals seized at the border and confined with the owner being charged some outrageous fees for boarding and upkeep.

Dogs | Bringing an Animal into U.S. | Importation | CDC

Some countries are very unforgiving for bringing pets into the Country as Johnny Depp and his wife found out.

Johnny Depp'''s Wife Charged With Illegally Bringing Dogs Pistol and Boo Into Australia - NBC News

EddieWalker · Mar 31, 2017

Thank you for the links to the CDC and the information about crossing the border. According to the lady with the puppy, she says that she has brought puppies at this age to her sister in Wisconsin. I have no idea of what it's like to bring a puppy across the border, or what they check when she does this. I'm just hoping she knows what she's doing. We haven't paid for anything, and wont pay until we have the puppy in our hands. As of right now, it's all in her hands and schedule.

FTG-05 · Mar 31, 2017

Good, let her take the risk of crossing the border, not you. Good luck!

EddieWalker · Apr 5, 2017

Turns out that we where worried about nothing. Nobody at the border asked about the puppy, and the airlines was fine with the Canadian health certificates. We got to DFW airport ten minutes before he did, and where impressed that he didn't have an accident in his kennel. The people at the airlines where great. Very helpful and gentle with handling the animals. We watched several come and go while we where there waiting.

Matsu weighed 22 pounds at exactly two months old. He is a chunk!!! Very strong, playful and we're starting to think, smarter then the others. A friend came over and she was very impressed when stacking him for pictures. At two months, he's way ahead of the curve. He figured out the doggy door in seconds. Our oldest took a couple of days to figure it out. The other two got it in less then an hour.

His father passed away 20 years ago and was the number one Akita for several years. His grandfather is still the winning est Akita in history. I'm not sure how to spell that. He is a legend in the Akita world. The lady with the sperm is very particular who she will sell it to. If the potential isn't there for a world class dog, no amount of money is going to get her to sell it to you. Same with buying one of her puppy's. You cannot call her and ask to buy one, she wont answer the phone. She calls you. For us, this is a big deal!!!

Here are a few pics of Matsu

oosik · Apr 5, 2017

Eddie, its so great to have a story with a happy ending. Darn, that's a cute puppy.

A question - where did you come up with the name - Matsu. Reason I ask - that is the local abbreviation for the Matanuska-Susitna Valley in the Palmer, AK area.

Buppies · Apr 5, 2017

Beautiful puppy you and your wife are very blessed. Hope you will share pictures as he grows up. Best wishes

EddieWalker · Apr 5, 2017

Matsu is short for Tamatsu , which is Japanese for Honorable Protector. Since the Akita is a Japanese breed, we want to honor their heritage with their names