Life Surrounded by Mountains in Central Chile

They grow in the moist, rich soil of the Valdivian temperate rain forest where temperature doesn't vary a great deal. The forest has been all but cleared; the vine's root root was once used as a substitute for saspirilla, and copihues (copeeweh) have been over collected; there aren't many left in the wild.

They are slow growing taking as much as ten years to flower, and they are also difficult to cultivate. Germination is best achieved by different parents, and in the wild hummingbirds pollinate the stems. Cultivation is most successful with moist seeds or cuttings.

And this Copihue is going home, where hopefully she still belongs.

dave said:

I had to look up Valdivia. (it sounded like a Marx Brothers locale)

Oh, my goodness, what an exciting prospect! I wish you all the best and hope you are sufficiently recovered in two weeks that it's easier to manage luggage and dogs as you travel.

Good luck and safe travels!

sac said:

Good luck and safe travels!

 +1!

I'll wager that many MOLers are envious of you, myself included! Please let us join your adventure in a virtual way! Good luck!

BTW, please tell me the proper pronunciation of your destination. Chillay? Chilee?

More like Cheelay, I believe.

Accent on the  first syllable, and a really short e.

Copihue said:

Accent on the  first syllable, and a really short e.

Thanks Copihue. That is the only way I have heard it pronounced.

Journeys begin long before stepping foot on the plane. I anticipated the most difficult problem to be transporting two pit mixes, because of the bans that airlines place on the breed.  But they are not the only dogs on the restricted list:  short, snouted dogs are also prevented from flying.  There is some rational basis for the bans, since there exists the possibility that personnel may need to open the carriers and handle the dogs, but the truth is that frightened dogs can bite, and pit bulls don’t have the exclusive rights on fear.  Short snouted dogs and cats can run into breathing problems.

I have transported dogs across borders on planes before, and the process is much more complex and safer for animals now than in the recent past. I will need a USDA certificate attesting to the fact that the animals are free of parasites – internal and external.  Therefore, the dog has had to be vaccinated against rabies 30-365 days before travel.  They also need to be treated for parasites 10 days before flight.  The exam needs to be performed by a USDA licensed vet and reviewed by a USDA official, within 10 days of travel.

Where within the airplane the pet travels – cabin, hold or cargo -- depends on the size of the pet, and the size of his crate.  The crate must allow the animal to turn inside, as well as to stand, sit and lay down without touching the walls when fully extended.  The crate must be labelled with the name and address pasted to the outside of the crate, bowls for food and water securely attached, an absorbent pad placed on the floor of the crate to absorb urine.

They recommend that you ship the animal during weekdays, so that the staff is available at the airport to process the paperwork at  arrival as well as to take a non-stop flight. Stops add another layer of recommendations having to do with ambient temperature.  It can’t be above 85 degrees at any lay over, because an extended layover can endanger the pet. No sedatives and no food six hours before travel.

My dogs weight 59 and 60 lbs..  Think about how much you pay to ship a box across the country; now think about the cost of that box if you sent it abroad, and make the box a 49' X 26' X 30' plastic and metal carrier with a 60 lbs animal, food and water.  Multiply that by the factor you pay on a 1 oz letter.  Yeah, ouch.

This is a very useful website:  http://www.dryfur.com/pets-on-airplanes-video-series.htm

Mission Impossible:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRXNcdO22xc

Those are the dog preparations, and then there are passports – my double citizenship places no restrictions on me while in Chile – plane tickets, renting a home, packing, taking or not a car, all done while exercising my left hand, so that I regain flexibility.  Strength training will need to take place in Chile.

Jake and Rachel are in good hands thanks to your thorough research of possible pitfalls (pun intended).  It will all work out.  Have a great trip.

Wow, that's a lot of considerations! How are you doing with your planning?

I'm glad our impending move is only to a house about 40 minutes away from where we are now! I don't think I could do a long-distance project these days.

Copihue, how's the wrist swelling? Vastly reduced, we hope!

I don't know if I'll ever get to South America, but I hope I do get to visit the places Borges and Bolaño have made famous at some point.  Chile seems enchanted with its dramatic terrain. 

Less than a week to go.  Hope everything is falling into place.

Any news on flying the dogs? I'm in Mexico and I chatted with a car service driver who was about to drive a customer's car and dog from the Texas border to Panama. I asked if he would be willing to drive two dogs from NJ to Chile, and he said sure. Let me know if you're desperate and I'll get his card