Friendly Attentive Bravissimi
When deciding to come to London with our cat, we decided against BA due to excessive bureaucracy and potential trauma. We were given list of companies providing a pet transport service. We contacted five and among the auto responses and ‘get back to you’, there fluttered into the inbox a reply from Lisa. She thanked us, answered our questions about travel times and set out what information she required. All nice and calm, setting the tone for all her dealings with us. We provided the requested details, Lisa gave us a quote, we accepted, Lisa provided a list of documentary requirements and we put down a deposit of +-50%. The next day, in the inbox was the booking direct from Eurotunnel.
The balance was settled a few days before departure and the big day arrived. We struggled to get the cat into the traveller, with taxi waiting. Boarding was late, and there was a 20 minute delay before take-off, so the schedule was slipping. Arrived in Brussels a bit behind time, but baggage collection was quick. The walk to the exit was not. After a seemingly endless trek, at last, the exit and a crowd waiting. We looked around, and there he was… Matt, standing tall and proud, away from the madding crowd, just waiting to draw his charges under his wing. So began the 7 hour slog to our new home. Except it wasn’t a slog. From a single question asked, a 7 hour conversation ensued. It continued while travelling through the beautiful Belgian countryside, it sustained us through a major traffic jam caused by an accident, pausing only when we reached the terminal. There we had a bathroom break and attended to the formalities for the cat, prepaid from our deposit and overseen by Matt, ready to step in should there have been a problem. After picking up a refreshment, it was onto the train, bang on time, despite all the delays. The chat then resumed and we were through the tunnel in a flash and travelling through yet more beautiful countryside, this time in England. In seemingly no time at all our conversation drew to a close as, in the fading light, we approached our new home and waiting daughter.
It was journey’s end for us but not for Matt. He had to face a 2+ hour trip in heavy traffic to get home. At least he could take comfort in having the company of his own thoughts.
Why such a long screed? Simply because it’s impossible explain how much the entire experience meant to us, in only a few words, a couple of sentences or even a full paragraph. Obviously not everyone will experience it in the same way but in the context of our lives it was important. It started with Lisa. She was a rock. She asked for what she needed, answered the questions she was asked, didn’t exaggerate, didn’t prevaricate, keeping the process flowing smoothly. Matt was the one who turned our day from fraught to enjoyable. He was very interesting to listen to and attentive to what we had to say.
What about the cat, the reason for all this, you ask?
She complained when we put her into the traveller but stopped by the time we stepped out the front door. Then… nothing, she was quiet as a mouse for the entire journey. Not a squeak. She stayed awake and watchful until we were in the car, then slept on and off, next to my wife, for the rest of the journey. Once in the house she stepped out of the traveller and started exploring! Its safe to say that she wasn’t overly stressed and arrived in a better state of mind than she would have had travelling cargo.
To book a Pet Transportation Service contact us here
Learn about us on:
