It was a big day yesterday - Wayne, Teddy and I headed of to Auckland Airport to pick up our new puppy from Sweden. It was very exciting, not without a few problems. Firstly, we didn't know if Dexter would be able to leave Stockholm until the nth hour! I phoned Jonna, and we managed to communicate, albeit difficult with the language barrier. Yay, he was accepted for his flight and then it was a matter of waiting the 60 odd hours until his arrival.
At the airport we met up with Ron and Marion, part of Dexters welcoming committe, for a spot of lunch and chat before heading to Bio Security to start the long wait! Teddy joined us and was included in all the procedures, he is such a great little Vallhund and our 1st Swedish Import boy.
After we recieved the paperwork from Biosecurity and paid the fees, Marion and I headed off to customs for, yet more, form filling, cheque writing and waiting! After we ironed out a few hiccups, one being he was named as a Vastgotaspets, Swedish Vallhund and a Norwegian Elkhound - all on the same forms! we were escorted from the interview area and found ourselves heading out from the arrivals door!! Very exciting, arriving without even leaving the country! By this time an hour had passed and poor Ron and Wayne were wondering if we had, indeed, left the country.
Then it was back to NZ Cargo for, yet more paperwork, cheque writing and waiting. By this time, Dexter had been in NZ for 3 hours!! I was finally escorted to meet the young Swede for the 1st time - he was adorable. Waiting patiently and wisley as only a young Vall can do.
It was all cameras on deck then, lots of cuddles and a bit of a rumble with Teddy. Toilet jobs, drinks of water and then packed up again for the drive home. The whole exercise took about 12 hours from go to whoa, but has been worth it. Dexter is a charm! Very calm, confident and friendly.
What can I say - thanks to Ron Bentley, for our partnership in Dexter; Leonie Darling for her help and support; Marion for her support and humor in the face of adversities; Wayne for his patience, support and love of our Valls; Tove Gustavsson for her friendship and advice to Jonna; and most of all to Dexters breeder, Jonna Kanerva, for her huge effort and perseverance in getting Dexter to NZ. Also to all our national and international friends, whose support, help and advice is acknowledged and appreciated.
Dexter spent the night on our bed and the day exploring his new home. He has met chooks, the horse and had a paddle in the small dog pool. He has quite an appetite and a very good voice! He has fitted in like he has been here all his life and our dogs have accepted him without reservation, mainly thanks to the leadership qualities of our boy Teddy.
I can understand why Jonna was so sad to see him go, he's a very cool little man.
