Bring Your Dog to the UK (Part 2)

This article is a follow-up to Bring Your Dog to The UK (Part 1). The governmental changes made to the health certificate are pretty minimal, so I am continuing with this series to bring you a step-by-step guide for bringing your dog to the UK from Canada.

Emergency Services UK Dial 999

So. You've moved to the U.K., and like me, a few weeks in, you realize you're no longer in 9-1-1 territory. You probably don't have any family or close friends in this new country, and reaching out to new colleagues or acquaintances might not be the greatest idea. So, knowing how to quickly and efficiently reach local emergency services is a must in your survival toolkit. Ditto for your children's.

If you are IN the UK, in case of an emergency, dial 999.

If you are hearing/speech-impaired dial 18000 for a text phone.

Keep reading for a complete list of the most important nationwide numbers to have at hand. A printer-friendly cheat sheet will be available shortly from the downloads page.

Internet Hookup

For anyone from Canada or the USA (excluding those who live in remote areas, maybe), getting an internet connection is a simple process that usually takes about two hours from start to finish. But when you move to the UK, trust me when I say it can get very frustrating, so be prepared.

Choosing a School in England: Ofsted Reports

September has always meant back to school time for me, a time that, as a student, I would look forward to from the first week of August. Now as a parent, I have come to look forward to September as a nice break from the kids, one where I can fully focus on my writing.

When we moved to Hampshire at the end of December 2015, my youngest was already registered to start school here right after the holidays, but we had a bit of trouble with the secondary school for my oldest. In another post, I will break down the process that went into registering my boys from back home in Canada, but for now, let me explain something that seems to guide people's choices when choosing a school here, and on which I partly based my own decisions.

National Speed Limits—Yes, plural!

So, you want to drive in the UK. Patience, grasshopper. There is so much to learn about, for starters, roundabouts! And driving on the opposite side of the road. (Do not make the mistake of saying "the wrong side" of the road, as you will likely not hear the end of it. ;) )

Bring Your Dog to the UK (Part 1)

When we finally decided to go through with the move, one of the first questions we were asked was: "What will you do with your dogs?"

My response? "What will I do with my kids?!"

In other words, it was not a question. Both our dogs are rescues, and moreover, I would never abandon any pet without a really good reason. They're in my will for Pete's sake!

But I won't kid you. It's a long and costly process, with many time-sensitive steps, which I will try to cover here to help anyone planning to bring over their dog.

Things You Might Miss Most

Every couple of years, my cousins from Italy fly to Canada to spend a few weeks with the family. And every time they come, they leave with things like peanut butter, instant hot-chocolate, and graphic t-shirts.

Naturally, when I was doing my pre-move research, other than the obvious such as clothes and personal items, I wanted advice on which of my favourite—read essential—things are not available in the UK.

7 Things to Include in Your Moving Budget

Moving is already a costly affair. When you add exchange rates, shipping, taxes, and visas—just to name a few—suddenly it's five times more expensive. Making a budget, is key before deciding whether you want to move or not. Get online and research where you want to live, look at budget samples for that country, and see what expenses people generally have.

Having a budget, even just a rough estimate, will help you straighten out your plans, and determine whether they are realistic and achievable or not.