Story of my NRI pet dog “Robby”

How my pet dog lost his NRI status

Un-conditional Pet love

Your love for your pet dog is a deeply personal and subjective experience, and only you can truly quantify the extent of your emotions. The bond between a pet owner and their dog is often strong and unique. It can encompass feelings of companionship, joy, comfort, and unconditional love. The depth of your love for your pet is likely influenced by the time you spend together, the shared experiences, and the emotional connection you’ve developed. Dogs have a remarkable ability to create strong, positive bonds with their owners, and the love you feel for your pet is a testament to the special relationship you share.

Change your country – Not your pet

There is a circumstances wherein the pet owner when migrating to another country do offer their Pet to other for adoption. This is a worst thing happening to any pet’s life who do unconditional love to  his owner and the family. It is challenging both for the owner and the Pet to go through this cycle of adoption by other. In most of the case both the pet and the owner don’t wish to get parted . I have gone trough similar situation recently.

The arrival of “Robby”

Living in Dubai for many years , one fine day on my daughter’s insistence  I got a small puppy from a Govt approved pet shop / clinic. There were multiple breed of pet Dog available to pick and all were waiting for a family to take them home . She picked up one , a cat-look puppy. He was too small in size and look like a squirrel of a few month old , barking non-stop in the cage – as though he is asking any one to take him home from this small cage ,  and we did it . We bought him , got his passport and relate information , but did not asked the shop owner which breed it was. Later on we found his breed is CHIHUAHUA . This breed belongs to Mexico and weighs 2.0 to 2.5 kg and maximum height 8” to 12”.

A new member of the family

We drive  him to our house with a surprise to my wife which in first place did not like the idea of having pet dog at home. However bought his bed , eating bowls , toys and ready made packed food etc . Since this puppy jumped like a rabit when we took him in open space for a walk, we named him “ROBBY”.  With the passport issued by UAE govt’s pet deptt with full vaccination record and chip installed in the ear as an identity , I could consider him as  a NRI pet .

The life in Dubai

Robby enjoyed playing open space in the house , corridor and morning walk on the road side footpath in usually hot Dubai weather . He weighs 2.2Kg max and have to be kept on recommended diet. He loved to look through glass balcony looking at other pet walking on the road and bark to get their attention. My wife gets attached to ROBBY with strong bond in meantime. My daughter studying in Canada is more concerned of ROBBY than we people. Off and on we did outing with him to open beach area , Resorts  and selected parks. He enjoyed his UAE’s NRI status but his life is going to change as the owner ( Myself ) decided to leave Dubai and come back to home country – India permanently .

Relocating to India – big decision

My wife insisted to take him to India . It was a subject of worry how to take him safely to India. It was decided to take him along in the same flight and was a mammoth task to accomplish it . Only 1 or 2  Airlines allow pet in the cabin with lot of restriction , strict procedure  and hefty Air Ticket bill for the pet. Only Abu Dhabi’s Etihad allowed us to carry ROBBY in the cabin alongside near our seat while flying. Other Airlines have an arrangement only to allow in underbelly carriage hold which is a risky solution for a small pocket size puppy of 2kg Weight.  Lot of travel , Custom and Vaccination formality was done. We were also tense that many times Captain of the Aircraft can refuse to take the pet in cabin despite the passenger has paid for in cabin travel cost of the pet. Ultimately, we travelled via Etihad to India. ROBBY was puzzled  and confused during the journey but was quiet and composed in the Aircraft ( no-barking) .    

Keep your Pet record up to date always

For Education purpose to others  , let me explain that migrating with a pet to India involves several steps to ensure a smooth and safe transition for your Pet. Here is a general guide, but keep in mind that specific requirements may change from country to country , city to city and pet breed type. So it’s essential to check with the relevant authorities and airlines for the most up-to-date information.

For the pet lover who wish to migrate to another country along with their pet dog , make sure the following is followed –

1. Never buy a pet without a passport ( A document for breed type , age , sex, vaccination already done)
2. Never buy a Pet without microchip placed in the Pet ( usually inserted at ear )
3. Keep your pet record updated on vaccination with stamps on the card.
4. Do not buy a pet which are restricted by Airlines to carry . There are many breed where Airline refused to carry and destination country do not accept.

Procedure to relocate your pet to home country

It’s crucial to start the preparation process well in advance of your planned move, as some requirements may take time to fulfill. Additionally, consulting with a professional pet relocator’s  service can help ensure a smoother transition for your pet. And also always check with the relevant authorities and your airline for the most accurate and current information. Following are the mandatory requirement for your pet to be shifted from one country to other country . Keep all these document in a transparent folder. Your Pet is more than a human passenger .

1. Microchipping: – Ensure your pet has a microchip that meets international country/Airline standard standards. Make sure the microchip is registered with your current contact information. Microchip is checked by Pet Doctor , Custom Deptt , Airline at time of giving boarding pass, at boarding counter  and at arrival Airport .
2. Vaccinations:- Check India’s specific requirements for pet vaccinations. Commonly, pets need to be up-to-date on rabies vaccination, and some additional vaccinations may be required.
3. Health Certificate: – Obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian. This certificate typically needs to be issued within a specific timeframe before your departure and endorsed by the relevant government agency. Microchip # is checked by the Doctor.
4. Import Permit: – Check with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) or the Animal Husbandry Department in India for information on obtaining an import permit.
5. Quarantine: – Check if there are any quarantine requirements. Some countries may ask pets to undergo a quarantine period upon arrival. This subject is very sensitive and has to be handled by professional pet agencies , as Pet is already very much disturbed / confused due to sudden change of surrounding /atmosphere/noise level.
6. Travel Arrangements:- Choose a pet-friendly airline and make appropriate travel arrangements. Ensure your pet has a comfortable and well-ventilated carrier/cage/bag that complies with airline regulations.
7. Customs and Documentation:- Be prepared to go through customs with your pet. Have all necessary documentation, including your pet’s health certificate, import permit, and any other required paperwork.
8. Local regulation :- Upon arrival in India , be ready to go through customs and present all the required documents. Follow any additional procedures set by Indian authorities. Familiarize yourself with local pet regulations in the specific region of India you’re moving to, as there might be additional requirements or rules.
9. Arrival in India :- Keep an eye to your Pet behavior and eating habit.  If required , schedule a visit to a local veterinarian in India for a health check-up and guidance. Pet after arriving in India will get lot of mood change and behaviour due to Noise pollution ( Horn of Cars etc  , barking of street dogs all day and night ) , quality of morning/evening walk.
10. Important :- Never take your dog alone in the beginning , take a family member with you. Always carry a stick to scare the street dogs. My pet ROOBY was attacked by street dog in the first week of arrival in India , for which end up of vaccinated him. This also scared him go for a walk.

Arrival in India

The day “ROBBY” arrived in India and we came out of the Airport , I considered that he lost his NRI status and has become a Non-NRI with Indian Status. Few days for ROBBY in India was full of confusion , disturbed and nervous due to change of house , surrounding and have to face  noise pollution ( honking on Horn on the streets all the time ).   But slowly he gets adjusted to new environment.

Winter of North India

And then come the great North India winter , within two month after arrival to India ( night temp 4 Degree Centigrade) . From a temperature of  +/- 40 Degree Centigrade of Dubai , ROBBY  suddenly has to face chilling cold weather ( fogs most of the day / cloudy days /winter rains ) , which he is not accustomed and thus start shivering all the time to our worries. We end up putting him to wear thick warm clothes and wrap him with warm blankets day and night , room heater for almost 3 months of peak winter till weather improves by end Feb. Winter months hit his morning and evening walk too .

With the summer season which will arrive soon , I hope ROBBY will be as cheerful as he used to be in Dubai in hot climate. And I hope he will start enjoying his life as of a  Non-NRI status in India. Life of a Pet of a NRI is as important as his NRI status.

Note – I will put another BLOG about his life in Indian summer.  I am writing this BLOG after a Gap of 6 month due to shifting my base from Dubai to Punjab.