My attempt to enter Italy in July 2020 is a story of its own. Thanks to two friends, I was able to quarantine in the UK for two weeks then enter Italy at the end of July.
Honey would be allowed to enter Europe in mid-August, but how would we get him?
With COVID-19 rules constantly changing, we couldn’t plan ahead much. I was not confident I could reenter Italy if I left. So much depended on the airline employee you encountered and how well they understood the rules. It seemed my Italian boyfriend could enter Albania but upon return he would need to quarantine for weeks, which would prove complicated with his job.
And how would we transport Honey? Before COVID19, the debate was whether ferry or plane would be less traumatizing for him. But now we didn’t have the option. Airlines weren’t always allowing dogs on. Two ferries and several rental cars would be the alternative. Would the ferries function normally though?
Jenny, the President of JTUM, saved the day. She would fly to Albania with her golden Swiss passport; meet Emily and Drake, Honey’s fantastic foster parents (now godparents); and take a ferry across the Adriatic. We would meet in Italy and take Honey back to Sardinia via another ferry and two car rides.
JTUM is a small NGO with limited resources. Jenny could give her time, and I could pay for the trip. It’s this kind of partnership that makes the work possible. But JTUM always goes a step further. Rather than taking one dog to a better life, Jenny took three animals who needed transportation to Italy. This is one of the many reasons I support JTUM. There is never a missed opportunity.
We booked our flights and reserved a rental car and hotel in Ancona. Not many days before, the Durrës-Ancona ferry was canceled. The Durrës-Bari ferry was the alternative, but would put Jenny much further south. We scrambled to change plans. She would rent a car and drive seven hours north to meet us in Bologna. This would allow us to get to Livorno at a time when our pet-friendly Airbnb would still allow us to check in since we had a reservation on the Livorno-Olbia ferry the following morning.
Phew. Anxieties were high as our respective trips began. More cancellations could disrupt everything. They announced more plans for borders to close, but if Jenny could just get in, she had about 24 hours to get out…
Jenny slept in an overnight cabin with three dogs and a cat. We spent an anxious night in Bologna, glued to our phones. Fortune smiled down on us. Jenny entered Italy with no problems. She dropped two dogs with another activist, hopped in the car and headed north.
I will always remember seeing my little Honey sitting patiently with Jenny in front of the Bologna train station. We had done it! I wanted to hug him – and Jenny! – but didn’t want to scare the poor pup. I wish I could say he jumped for joy upon seeing me, but he had been through a lot. He slowly warmed and I will always hold dear the memory of his first meeting with Bernardo, who is now his most favorite human (besides me, of course!).
It was the first time I met Jenny in person. And although we couldn’t hug (COVID), I know we felt connected. We had been through so much together. Not all humans will do what we did for an animal. This creates a special beyond, and an important one for animal activists.
The cat had a date with her better life and we needed to drive to Livorno for check-in so we parted quickly.
I do think Honey was sad and confused, and this made me feel quite guilty. We showed him love and support, and upon arrival in Olbia, he was perking up. At the port, we found a lovely taxi driver, who happily allowed Honey to ride with us to our next rental car. Only four more hours in the car and we would be home. When we finally arrived, Honey saw his bed and toys. He did a happy prance, making the entire journey worth it. All would be well.
Honey’s story continues. He is healthy, more confident, and we love each other unconditionally. He may never fully realize how many humans banded together to make his life the way it is, but I know for sure he is grateful. My dream is for every animal (and human!) to have this kind of commitment and love in their life. When we all work together and give a little more, it’s possible!
