Suitcases by the door
Alfa is a curious little dog who follows his family everywhere. One morning the suitcases were lined up at the door of his Paris home, his favourite blanket folded beside his toys, and his owners checking their documents one more time.
Their worry was simple: how could Alfa reach the UK without being separated from them? They did not want him in an aircraft hold, and they wanted to avoid connections, crowded stations and several bookings stitched together.
So they booked one private vehicle, from their door in Paris to their destination in London, with Alfa travelling beside them the whole way.
He sniffed the open door, then looked back at his family, as if to ask whether they were all going together. They were.
Window first, then a long nap
As the city gave way to fields and quiet towns, Alfa pressed his nose to the window and watched everything. Then the excitement caught up with him. He curled up on his own blanket and slept.
His family, who had worried for days about how he would cope, were now watching him snooze beside them.
A break planned around Alfa
When he woke and stretched, it was time to stop. The driver pulled into a suitable rest area so Alfa could walk, drink and sniff the grass before the next stretch of motorway.
Without a fixed timetable, breaks can follow what passengers and pets actually need.
His own passport check
Before travelling, his family prepared his documents. At Calais Pet Reception, Alfa's microchip and paperwork were checked before the car continued to the Eurotunnel terminal. To Alfa it was just another interesting stop.
What dogs usually need for Great Britain
- A compliant microchip
- A valid rabies vaccination
- An accepted pet travel document
- Vet-given tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before arrival, recorded
Asleep beneath the sea
The car drove onto Le Shuttle and everyone stayed inside. Same vehicle, same people, same blanket. When the train started moving, Alfa lifted his head, glanced at his owner, decided nothing interesting was happening, and went back to sleep.
About 35 minutes later, they were in Folkestone.
Almost home
Through green Kent fields and villages, Alfa was wide awake again. As London came closer, his owners started recognising roads. No train changes, no airport collection, no separation.
A new chapter, and another nap
Outside their London home, his owner helped him out of the car and he went straight to exploring. The family collected their luggage, thanked the driver and looked down at their happy companion.
What had felt like a stressful relocation had become a family road trip. And Alfa was already looking for somewhere cosy to sleep.
What Alfa's journey teaches
- 01
Keep your pet close
Sharing the vehicle keeps a familiar space and familiar people all the way.
- 02
Prepare documents early
Check current UK entry rules and treatment deadlines before you go.
- 03
Bring something familiar
A favourite blanket or toy helps a dog settle into the car.
- 04
Allow for breaks
Plan stops to stretch, drink and walk on longer drives.
- 05
Choose the crossing
On Le Shuttle, people and pets stay together in the vehicle.