Regarding some of the conversation earlier this morning about how
small the shows are and
how this List seems to be shrinking along with the shows..... I can
certainly understand why.
We just shipped a one year old GSD puppy to a main hub airport.....a
short direct flight from
Sacramento, Calif. The airline wouldn't even talk to us without a
# 700 crate....at the going
rate of $902.00 for a 3 hr. direct flight for an 80 lb.
dog.........because his ears stand up!!
NO WONDER many are dropping out of this sport. IF it was one of the
two nice 4 1/2 month
old pups I have right now that had to ship out on the same direct
flight I would have to use a
# 500 crate.. because their ears are up... for $602.62!! for a 4 1/2
month old puppy?!.....And
THAT is just the air flight..not counting buying the crate and Health
Certificate. Ridiculous!!
What is a buyer to do? What is a breeder/ exhibitor to do??
Can't keep and show them all, yet
can't sell them out of the area without adding another $1,000 to the
basic price for shipping.....or
dropping the price to pet prices.
Bottom line....we are getting "driven out" or "flown" out of this
Sport. For ourselves.....and buyers.
You can't afford to utilize the airlines to ship your dog because of
the ridiculous request for ears not
touching the top of the crate.....and that leaves us driving for DAYS
to a National. Easier to just not
go until they become more centralized for all of us.
THAT'S NO FUN! It does seem easier to quit than to beat our heads
against the brick wall.......
Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.marhaven.com
