¨Did you hear that¨ I said to Brodie ¨We are going on an airplane¨, ¨Where to¨ replied Brodie sleepily. ¨Spain ¨replied Tiffany as if we should know. My mum and dad were moving to Spain and we were going with them I could not believe it I thought there was something going on when we all had to go to the vets and have needles stuck in us, a microchip and were made to swallow horrible nasty tasting tablets and somebody had bought our house. During the next few weeks boxes where packed, there were lots of telephone conversation and lots of people visited us wishing my mum and dad Good Luck. It was all very confusing. Where was Spain anyway?

Wednesday Morning 4 a.m. - Ugh! ¨Come on time for a walk and a pee-pee¨mum said What it is only 4 a.m. I thought what has got in to her. It was a very cold morning and raining and I did not want to go but ever the faithful I followed mum into the kitchen and she put on her Wellington boots and warm coat. And we were off into the woods for a very early morning wee. Brodie looked at me and sighed not the best dog in the morning likes to stay in bed does our Brodie, but he trotted by my side. Tiffany also trotted along side us head down wondering what was going on. My mum stopped to say ¨Good- Bye¨ to the milkman, silly mum does she not know its ¨Good Morning¨; I thought ¨What time is your plane; wish it was us¨ said the milkman. ¨Dinnertime¨ shouted mum hurrying us along ¨Come on darlings got a lot to do¨ retorted mum to us. Airplane, Dinnertime- most confusing.

When we got home – oh no – we all had to have a bath then we had new collars and leads put on, suitcases were loaded into a TAXI! Mum got in and dad lifted us onto mum’s knee quickly followed by dad. ¨Do not be nervous everything will be alright, we are going to live in Spain¨ whispered mum giving us all a big hug ¨Have you got the passports¨ enquired the TAXI DRIVER, ¨Yes, we have got five passports¨ dad replied But they only need two, why do they need three more I thought. ¨Jodie, Brodie and Tiffany’s are in my handbag, you have ours¨ replied mum Passports for us whatever next.

We traveled for about one hour and Tiffany whispered to me that she felt a bit sick take deep breaths I told her. We soon arrived at the airport. A man told my mum and dad that they had to ¨take the dogs to the Cargo area¨ So off we went and was met by a lovely lady who asked for our passports I felt very proud and started to wag my tail. thinking I may get a first-class seat on the airplane but no, we were loaded into wooden crates. My mum started to cry asking the nice lady if we would be ok underneath the aeroplane with all the luggage – what is going on. Tiffany stated to whimper so Brodie gave her a kiss and told her that he would look after us.

We were loaded onto a train along with other dogs; there was a Dalmatian called Mr. Spot – a Scottish terrier Jock and a poodle named Doodle. They also had passports, microchips and had taken horrible tasting tablets and they like us were going to live in Spain.

We could see the aeroplane through a crack in the wooden crate it was like a big white noisy bird, the engines roared and we were all very nervous and in desperate need of a drink of water. A nice man came and said ¨Good morning¨ to us all, ¨ I hope you have a good flight¨. He had a cap on and jacket with stripes on his shoulder so I got his attention by wagging my tail and kissing the back of his hand as I thought this man was very important and my parents had always told me to be polite to nice important people. And this man was important. Spot barked at the man but I think he was nervous has he had told me previously he did not like flying. Spot barked at Brodie. ¨Been on a plane before, nothing to it, just sit tight and you’re away¨. Brodie did not like Spot, so he whispered to me and Tiffany ¨You always get one done everything, been every where, what a show off I hope we do not sit next to him¨.

We were then put on a lift thing that took us inside the aeroplane, it was very cold and then there was a loud noise and the doors slammed shut. I stated to panic. Tiffany cried again and Brodie whispered in the dark ¨Do not worry mum and dad are upstairs I heard dad tell mum it was only a short journey¨. The plane stated to move faster and faster all of a sudden there was a big jolt and the wheels came up and the plane stated to take off. Suitcases rattled and moved back wards but we were safely harnessed in so luckily our crates did not move. Then the engines stopped and it all went quiet. It was quiet for ages, Brodie and Tiffany were sleeping me - I did not get a wink.

Doodle the poodle asked me if I was ok what a nice poodle I thought. We stated to chat about our lives and the journey passed very quickly. He told me he was going to live in Benidorm with his mum but he had not seen her for three months and he was missing her very much, he also told me his mum had adopted a Spanish cat called ¨Meow¨. Which he was not looking forward to meeting has he did not like cats.

The plane stated to dive; ¨Landing in 10 minutes¨. Said Spot. Brodie and Tiffany woke up Brodie grunted ¨Know all¨ quietly to us. The plane wheels came down and suddenly made a large bump and shook our crates - now what I thought. The plane came to a halt and the doors were opened. ¨Won’t be long now as long as you have your passports in order¨ growled Spot. Brodie looked at him and barked ¨Please shut-up Mr. Spock¨. I whispered in his ear his name is Mr. Spot not Mr. Spock. I know replied Brodie looking at me mischievously with his big soft brown eyes.

We were soon taken from the plane and then we all saw mum and dad. Tails wagging, barking excitingly we were taken from our crates and a very important man in a uniform came and said ¨Buena’s Tardes¨ in a funny voice what did that mean! We were escorted to an office and the man said ¨Tenemos su passports para su perros¨. Mum looked at dad and said ¨I think he is asking for the passports¨. The man checked them and I wagged my tail again because I did not want to cause a problem, he stamped them and passed them back to mum. ¨

¨Welcome to Spain, Jodie. Brodie and Tiffany¨ laughed the man with a funny accent. We went outside guess what there was no rain, no mud, just brilliant sunshine it was hot but we were all very happy. This was going to be great living in Spain. Well worth the horrible nasty tasting tablets and injections.

Author & Copyright: Margaret Hill from Barking Barxeta Boarding Kennels