Eleven years ago last week, I was moving to the USA from Germany! Life changed drastically with the move. I had a devil of a time with the seven hour time difference for about a week, and everything was different, but I’m happy Mom made the move. Germany was great, but I think my life is much better life over here.
The day I turned nine weeks old, I took my Pet Passport, and boarded a plane with my new Mom to Germany. I had no idea I would be boarding another plane eight months later to the USA. On that July day in 2007, me, Katie, and two of the three kitties were off on the biggest adventure of our lives. We drove from our home on the North Sea Coast all the way to Amsterdam. Mom would only fly with us on a non-stop flight. Once we landed in Chicago, Gramma and my uncle picked us up at the airport. We drove seven hours from the airport to Gramma’s house in Minnesota. In that one day, I covered five countries, and three states!
Katie and I were each in our own kennels in the belly of the KLM 747, our kitty Boo was also in cargo in a kennel. Biene was lucky and got to fly under the seat in front of Mom in the cabin. Unfortunately, Mom was not a blogger at the time, so we don’t have many photos, and the ones we have are from a cheap point and shoot camera. Her phone didn’t even have a camera at the time. How crazy things were back then!
When we first moved to the US, we stayed with Gramma for four months until we found our new house. We shipped a few pallets of boxes with our stuff from Germany to the US, and kept it in Gramma’s garage. On the day of our move, we loaded up the truck, and headed for our new house. You can see, I was not thrilled to get into that truck! I was content to keep living at Gramma’s house.
We left our thatched roof house in Germany. It was cozy, pretty, a block from the beach on the North Sea, and it had a huge backyard for Katie and I to romp in. Mom always said it was too small, and she didn’t like the low ceilings.
Our new house would have lots of room for us, and a nice fenced yard. Mom snapped this photo before we moved in. We used to drive by a few times a week to look at it before we closed. Probably one of the best things about living in Minnesota is the squirrels. Germany doesn’t have many of them.
Katie and I were real beach bums. We were at the beach pretty much daily and loved it. Swimming was fun, and we had so much room to run and play, the beach was twelve kilometers, almost seven miles long and super wide too. The beach is probably the only thing we really missed when we moved.
Beaches in Minnesota are not quite the same as the ones on the North Sea, and the water is not salt water. I’ve come to like the water here, but the beaches are still pretty poor in comparison.
I’m a truly blessed dog to have had so many experiences in my eleven years of life. Seeing Europe was nice, but the USA has given me so many opportunities! Moving to the USA is the best thing that could have happened to me! I still proudly carry my Pet Passport from the UK, with stamps from my time in Germany, but I feel like a real American pup! With Katie being gone, Mom and I are the only ones in the family who can share out Germany memories which is a special thing for us.
Wow 11 years already. You had a cute house in Germany but your house in MN is stunning. Glad you enjoy being in the USA .
Mom is much happier. Germany had some plus points like being super dog friendly, but she is happier here.
A lot sure has changed in that 11 years, hasn’t it, Emma? We’re so glad the move turned out to be the best thing for you and your family. How great that you have all those special memories of you and Katie on the beach!
Living over there was like another world. Very dog friendly, but Mom said not so people friendly. We are happy here.
My late Oma was from Germany and was there in ww2. Then she moved here to Australia. I wonder Emma do you understand German commands?
I speak four languages, British English, American English, German, and Woof. Mom uses several commands with us in German all the time.
11 years? wow… I loved it to read about your move and your mama picked the bestestest airline for your long trip… we heard only good things about KLM. the mama said your mama is right about the low ceilings… we have them here too… if we had a ceiling fan here the staff would get a free haircut… or my dad would even end like that french queen ;O)))
LOL! That makes us laugh as we had one in the upstairs guestroom and had to warn people to be careful of it! The house was Danish style which has the low roof. It was a great experience, but we are happier here.
Eleven years already? You were just a puppy! I’m glad you’re happy living here in the USA, though! And I’m glad you and your Mom have all those shared memories of your former lives, especially the beach outings with sweet Katie.
I was always at the beach, and Katie loved it so much too. It was super fun, but we are happy to be here.
We are glad that you moved here. Your new home is beautiful. I’m sure Katie is watching over all of you.
Madison did not replace Katie, but we see a lot of Katie showing through her. We know Katie is happy we have the little one, and she shows up to let us know she is with us now and then.
Such an adventure at such a young age. I’m glad you came to America, and started your blog.
I’m pretty happy about it too. I don’t think we would have accomplished much if we had stayed in Germany, but it was a fun time.
wow Emma! we moved after 10 years in Denver so I understand the move! But I don’t have a passport. You are so cool!!! And I’ve never been on a plane. So glad you like the US. Moves can be hard. we miss our favorite hikes a lot. But we’re together so that’s all that really matters right? Cool post. your doodle friend Dash
Every place had special spots, you just have to find them. It’s great to get out and experience as much as you can as a human and a dog. Life is made from our experiences.
i have some questions. when your mom picked you up when you were 9 wks old, where did you fly from? who took care of the kitty left behind? i know that was hard. what was the decision to move from Germany to the US? to be closer to your grandparents? such a world traveler at a young age. i love the house in Germany with all of the rocks, nice house in now though.
i think you would like the beaches in nc. they are beautiful.
I’ve been to the beach in Florida. It was nice.
11 years! I forgot you were a few months older than me. I VERY GLAD you moved to the USA – otherwise I do not think we would have ever met. Chablis
My life would have been very different. It has worked out well for many reasons.
We sure are glad that you made the move! I do like to brag that my girlfriend is a world traveler though. BOL! Love, Bentley ♥
I’m proud to be a worldly hound. My nose has sniffed around a lot of places.
This was so interesting to read! It answered a lot of questions I’ve always had. I have to say I love your German house! But I love your Minnesota house, too. All of you pets were very brave flying all that way to move here. I’m so glad you did, so we could be Facebook friends.
Mom always said her pets would never fly in the cargo hold, but there is no choice other than private jet across the pond. It was a scary day, but we all survived. We are happy we are here.
We are also sooo glad you moved here!Remember, whenever you want to visit the beach just head west and come see us!
xoxo,
Jakey, Arty & Rosy
Mom would like to do more longer road trips with us, but with her business right now, she just can’t get away 🙁
So why didn’t the third cat make the trip? Are the other two still with you? Hugs Miss Emma
Tom was a cat who had to be able to be outside and Mom felt that was better in Germany, but he did make the trip in Jan 2008 to MN. He hated the winter, but was very happy once spring came. He stuck around the yard for the most part, but one Sept. evening, Mom saw him on the deck around 7, and we never saw him again. We searched for weeks for him, but no one had seen him. No idea what happened to him, it was like he vanished into thin air. Boo died suddenly, most likely of a heart attack just 3 months after getting to the US, and Biene passed away from cancer in 2009.
Thank you for filling us in on you background. I was in Germany once and only visited Cologne. You are a well traveled pup and have been to more places than many humans. I’m glad you came to the US because I got to meet you, Ballie, and mom at BlogPaws. This year I met Madison.
I hope you continue to have happy times here.
I know Mom will never live outside the US again. She has had her fill of that, and we are all very happy right here in the US of A.
I hear it always works out the way it is supposed to. Glad you have Mom to reminisce with.
Everything happens for a reason. We will always thank you for dog sports taking over out lives. Your nose work post years back stuck in mom’s head for a reason.
OMD I thought you were here way longer than 11 years!! Happy moving to America anniversary! Have to tell you, I happen to LOVE your home in Germany….I love quaint homes like that.
Well, how old did you think I am??? The Germany house is super cute, but not the best to live in according to my mom. She likes more space and nice walls and ceilings.