Hello!

Thank you everyone for posting. I've been freaking out about this move and reading about everyone's advice and experiences makes me feel a bit better.

But we just got orders that my husband is going to be on the Washington and that we're moving to Yokosuka. I honestly would rather not move across seas but that's the Navy.

The main thing that's worrying me is that we have a dog and I am debating whether to leave her at my parents house in Colorado or to take her over seas with us. I am figuring that I will be traveling between the two and think that traveling with her would be such a hassle. Also, what I've heard about the quarantine process, I don't really want to put us through that and have her go through all that just for us to be traveling on long flights multiple times and such.

Any advice would be awesome, I'm just trying to wrap my head around all of this. It's almost unbelievable to think I'm leaving my country and possibly leaving my dog and having the hubs take off soon. 
 
Thanks

Not being a pet owner, I can't much advise. But I do observe that owning, traveling with, and living in Japan with a pet is a significant commitment that alters one's lifestyle considerably. Pet owners are always looking for pet sitters, etc. when they want or need to travel either around Japan or back to the States. This is both an inconvenience and an expense. On the other hand, some people seem to be as attached to their pets as to their kids and no burden is too great for them. I perceive from your comments that you're not really in this category.

As regards your comments about freaking out and the challenges of leaving home... This is my third time living in Japan over a 25-year period (boy, that makes me sound old!!) During that time I have consistently observed two things. (1) A very high percentage of Navy people come to Japan kicking and screaming, saying there is no way in the world they would ever want to live here. (2) When their tour is over, they leave Japan kicking & screaming, or find a way to extend.

In other words, Japan is a delightful place to live, but most military families don't know that. You'll see it when you get here; you will come to love & enjoy the country & your community. Try to keep your fear in perspective and please come expecting a life-changing experience for the positive. There are maybe 5% who are truly miserable here & they make a lot of noise so it ends up sounding like a lot of unhappy people here, but they are far in the minority.

Best wishes in your move & time in Japan!

If you entend on bouncing between Japan and the States, its best to leave her with your parents. Its not such a great idea to tak them back and fourth and back and fourth. Space A flights also apply to pets. Meaning if there isnt room for them they dont fly because you are not on orders.Then your paying for you and the dog to fly back and fourth.
If you plan on only taking one or two trips then its not so bad to bring the dog here. My family and I have gone to the states, thai land, austraila ect. while we have been stationed here. We have two cats. One which will turn 19years this July so he has some special needs. When we go somewhere its hasnt been that hard to find a place for the cats to go for a week here or there.Even with Mr. Moe's needs. You have to plan it out accordingly though.

And sorry thia guy my cat Moe falls into that he is like my child to me. I have for a really long time. To be honest I have had him most of my life Im only 27. =) People have there reasons for the things they do.

Hello SassCass,

My husband and I will move to Yokosuka next year in mid August. I have the same dilemma as you, if I should leave my doggy behind with my parents (in Mexico).
Our dog is a Boston terrier he’s 6 yrs old and I love him dearly (he’s like my child). Because of his short nose, it’s riskier for him to travel in the summer months :'(.

In fact, I don’t mind doing the paperwork that is required to bring a dog to Japan; the most concerning part for me is the flying because most of the airlines will not fly animals (as checked baggage or cargo) between May 15 and Sept 15 (We may have to fly mid July!!).
We don’t have any family in the U.S. who may be willing to take our dog for 2-3 years.

Another thing you need to consider is that in order to live on base with your dog, you will have to live in a townhome or single home. Dogs are not accepted in the apartments (only cats, I think). For what I have read here in the forums, there is a waiting list to have a townhome on base.
Once you arrive to Japan, you and your husband will stay at the Navy Lodge and they do not accept pets, so your dog will have to stay in the kennel or you may have to find a good soul on base to take care of your dog while you find housing outside the base.

IF we can fly with our dog to Japan sometime in July, he will have to be in a kennel to finish his quarantine period and until we find a place outside the base that allows dogs.

The guys here in the forums have been a GREAT help for me when it comes to the paperwork. If you have any questions about the process or paperwork on how to import your dog to Japan, send me a personal message and I will e-mail you with the info.

When are you planning to travel?

Thank you guys so much for the responses! Every post is so helpful

I am getting more excited thinking about having the opportunity to actually live in Japan. Traveling has always been something I've been interested in doing and I'm sure we got stationed there for a reason and I am going to embrace it, so thank you ThaiGuy for the positive things about Japan. I'm sure this will be such a nice life changing experience for me.

The more I think about my dilemma I'm leaning more towards leaving her which breaks my heart. But reading about all the tasks of getting her from the airport to the base, having to put her in quarantine and having to find the right housing that will accept her the best thing maybe that. I'm still just not sure..

Hello Viole!
I understand the situation is terrible! I have a great dane- lab mix I adopted while we were stationed in South Carolina and I'm in love with her. She's a sweet sweet dog and I would hate to put her through the long flights and all the kennels, she is totally like my child .
And I am so glad I found this forum!! I mean I knew I wasn't alone in this process, but this site is such a mood changer. Thank you for a helping hand! I'm not sure what I'm going to do just yet.

I'm not exact as to when we'll be moving because my husband is just finishing up his schooling in NY but graduation date is supposed to be end of Januaryish lol. So I'm getting butterflies for sure.

I'm really happy that I brought my Maltese over. She is my best buddy when my husband is gone, which is very often. And my kids adore her. I stressed out alot about the process, but I didn't really need to.

I was able to leave my dog with a relative while we waited for housing. It took us three weeks to get a town house on base. We sent for her two months after we arrived, and we were totally settled in when she got here. My dog has to finish the last three months of the quarantine period in our home, but it's no big deal. We can walk her and take her places on base. She just can't go out in town for the next three months.

Picking her up at the airport seemed a little daunting. The Navy arranged for a free, round trip, driver for my husband. They told me that I was the only one who ever asked. You inquire about this at the same place that does your finger printing when you first arrive. I think its called fleet and family support.
 
There are a lot of nice families here, and I'm very confident that I can find a good pet sitter when I travel. I want Japan to feel like home, and not just like I'm passing through. That is another reason why I brought my dog. Also, you may not fly home as much as you think you will.

So, my point is that your fears may be exaggerated right now. If your dog is like a child to you, I would totally encourage you to bring it. Let me know if you need any help. Good luck to you!


 

We've been debating bringing our dog over with us.. after reading this post I feel so much better about it all. Thanks for posting!

You might want to contact the base's PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) shelter. They can put you in touch with volunteer families who can keep your pet while you are in the Navy Lodge and/or waiting for housing. The website is pawsyokosukajapan.com. They have a page called "Coming to Japan?" Their e-mail address is usskittytalk.yokosuka@gmail.com. We have twice kept pets for people until they could get into their housing.

It is true that only cats are allowed in towers (apartments) and people with dogs go into townhouses. I don't think the wait is as long for townhouses here in Ikego as on the main base. The process of bringing a pet into Japan can seem intimidating but it all works out. If you have a sponsor (which you should), they can pick you up at the airport with your dog and bring you back to the base.

If you arrive with your pet the Navy will arrange and pay for your ride to base. It probably needs to be planned in advance though.

I think finding someone to watch your pet while in the lodge is a great alternative to the kennel! But, your animal has to be done with the quarantine period. My dog was not, and that is why I left her behind and sent for her when we got a house.

If you have to have your animal in the kennel, just remember that it is temporary and not the end of the world. You can visit, and I believe your allowed to walk the dogs.

Hi everyone! I am having the same dilemma as most of you have or had. My husband has buddies living in Yokosuka already who are not pet owners. We are being told that if we come with our dog that we can only live in Yokosuka in townhouses and they make the townhouses sound so terrible. Is it that bad? I am very attached to my dog and so is my son. He is like another child and I don't want to leave him behind with anyone. Please help us by clarifying pets and base housing specifically Yokosuka if you can. Thanks everyone. Your help is greatly appreciated.