Part 5 - The Green Channel

We are here. We have arrived. With our 70 lb. (that’s about 32 kg) dog who flew under the plane (he survived the journey unscathed, as far as we can tell). The biggest adjustment for him is the lack of awesome dog friends (we miss you!), and the enormity of the task of mapping a whole new city of smells. He ignores his toys on walks and looks more like a four-legged vacuum cleaner than a critter on a walk.

One of the stressors of the trips was entering through German Customs. At Frankfurt Airport, the “internet” warns that any animal product must be declared through The Red Channel, and that those without declarations can enter through The Green Channel. Upon our arrival, The Red Channel was closed. There was a sign that said any needs of the Red Channel needed to be processed by clicking an intercom button. Sort of Orwellian, especially after a relatively long and stressful day, but that’s okay.

I clicked the button and the brusque German man said something to the effect of “What is it?” So I said “I have a dog I need to declare.”

“Is he chipped?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have his documents?”
“Yes.”
“OK. You can go.”
“Sorry? You want me to go through The Green Channel?”
“Yes. Nothing to Declare.”
“OK. Thank you. Good morning!”

Addie gave me a confused shrug: That’s it? I gave her a confused nod and pointed us through The Green Channel. The Channel turned out to be a set of double doors that opened into baggage claim and voila we were in Germany.

The only downside to a quick and painless trip through Customs is when you’ve planned for a multi-hour slog so your van is scheduled four hours after you’ve collected all 11 pieces of your luggage, including the two bags you had to surprise check and your large, unsettled dog. What to do except sit around for four hours?

Serendipity reigned again for our day of international travel. Our driver happened to be dropping someone off at the airport within an hour of our arrival. His plan had been to park and wait. Instead: he pulled up, his previous passenger unloaded, we loaded (all 10 bags and our very large dog crate), and we were off on our sleepy 3 hour journey through Western Germany.