Ahhhh.... Airports. What Fun!
I arrived at the Ottawa airport with plenty of time but still had the few moments of panic as the check in lady starts reading my file and then declares there’s no dog listed… “Keep reading please!” (she did eventually find a note somewhere way down my file that said Rio was cleared to accompany me). I do have to say however, that compared to the bigger airports, the Ottawa one is soooooo nice. For the first time ever, they told me that I didn’t need to be here this early and go and take Rio for a walk and come back in 20 minutes. (All very nice, but try walking a dog and a crate at the same time. Apparently security doesn’t take kindly to abandoned crates kicking around the airport!)
Rio spent a good ½ hour doing PR in the airport and getting belly rubs. I did get lectured by an Air Canada check-in guy that I shouldn’t have drugged my dog as Rio lounged up-side-down on the airport floor. I don’t think he believed me that she wasn’t drugged.
I ran into my old University housemate, Brian Legros, at the airport. I haven’t seen him in ten years! He too was on the flight to Frankfurt but was carrying on to Vienna after that. I tried, but I don’t think I had him and his new wife quite convinced that they should be headed to Dornbirn next weekend to cheer us on! LOL
The flight to Frankfurt was uneventful and I managed to get in a nap AND three movies! Luckily, I didn’t get the earlier connecting flight to Zurich, as Frankfurt airport was very zoo-ish this morning and I don’t think Rio or I would have made our connection. I definitely got my morning exercise in after walking/jogging half way across Frankfurt! I guess the crew from Calgary were on the earlier flight and had to hustle really hard to make their connection.
I just missed getting the picture of Rio being lifted into the hold. You can see a tiny bit of the cargo guy's vest at the rear of the plane.
I was the last to arrive this morning in Zurich. Lucie & Maureen were on the first flight in from Montreal, followed by Jessica, & Cathy from Toronto and Seanna, Kiersten, Suzanne, Justine, Teri & Christine from Calgary. From the airport, we were picked up by coach bus and driven about an hour to our hotel in Feldkirch, Austria. Adrian & Susan will be arriving from Montreal tomorrow.
Our rooms really remind me of university dorm rooms. Should be a cosy time here.
One tired pup!
For all of you who kept asking how long the trip was going to be, I finally tabulated it:
Rio was in her crate 1 hour before the flight left Ottawa.
7 hours on board from Ottawa to Frankfurt
2 hours on the ground in Frankfurt
1 hour to Zurich.
I guess that makes 11 hours in the crate for Rio. Needless to say that she was happy to get out! I’ve decided that flying with your dog isn’t for the faint of heart. I'm sure she was in good hands but....
Anyway, we are unpacked in our hotel room, Rio is still looking great from her ‘Pooch Parlour’ groom and we are ready to rock! Okay, maybe we’ll have a nap first and then get on with Rocking!
The "Dorm Room" (My roomate arrives tomorrow)
So very glad you've both arrived safely!! Good luck - can't wait to hear all about it!
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Nice digs... I'm just wondering where you'll sleep if Rio has already claimed the bed? There doesn't appear to be room for both of you on those little beds
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Rio has moved to the floor (she's currently upside-down of course) but I was thinking the same thing although it was more along the lines of "Where will Susan sleep?" Ha ha ha ha ha
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So glad to see the blog up and running again...we will all be keeping a close eye on it this next week! Your pictures are great! The room does seem a little "cozy" especially for two people/2 dogs/2 crates and all the "goodies" that the doggies seem to need. I am sure you can make it work. That is pretty cool that you met Brian in the airport...I remember him well!!! Give Rio a pat for us!
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Glad to hear that you arrived both ok.
I don't know why I didn't react yesterday but I won't have access to my xplornet account, but only to gmail. I think my brain was half in the Jumpers ring... Anyway same address before @ but just @gmail.com instead of @xplornet.com.
See you on Thursday or Friday morning.
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Hi Tiffany,
Glad that we will be able to hear all about yours and Rio's adventures through this blog. Good luck
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Yay - I'm glad you guys are there! I love the blog, I'll be checking it daily from now on.
In reality I think my university dorm room was bigger than your room LOL Oh well you guys will have fun together - just think of all the fun things you can do to torture Susan
Phoenix says she thinks the fact that she lives in Whitby and that its the twin city to Feldkirch can only mean good luck for Rio and you.
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Yeah, my dorm room was bigger than this room too. We could use a second desk in here to store the second crate under as well! LOL
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Thanks for the great update Tiffany. Glad to hear your arrived safely. Good luck to all next week. Cannot wait to get the updates.
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Great blog Tiffany. You are attracting many fans! Wishing you and the rest of the team a great agilty adventure. It's always a great relief to hear when everyone has arrived safely. Have fun!
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So glad to hear you got there safe! Your room looks cozy! The best of luck and can't wait to hear all about your adventure! Flynn gives his mom a good luck woof!
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Hopefully the bed is long enough for you, I found at 5"8 my feet hit the end of the bed! I don't know what my son will do when he goes to school...He's 6"4!
Tiffany all the best in your up coming events. I love reading your blog! So proud of you and Rio and we'll be cheering here in Brampton!
Sue and Family
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Thanks for the blog! We're cheering for you!
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Glad to see you arrived safely. My goodness Rio seems so stressed in the pictures : ) Look forward to hearing updates! I see Clean Run is offering free streaming of practice. If I get up at 4:00am AST I think it is I will see Canada go on Thursday!
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wish I was there cheering you all on! have fun! I saw the course map for Jumpers... looks just like a starters course, right? OK, maybe not, but I know you will all do great!!!it makes me a lot of fun.
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your article is so informative and interesting. nice shared.
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