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Hampshire family pays £1,300 to be reunited with dog from Dubai | Hampshire family pays £1,300 to be reunited with dog from Dubai |
(about 21 hours later) | |
A family from Hampshire has paid £1,300 to be reunited with its dog after having to leave it in Dubai. | A family from Hampshire has paid £1,300 to be reunited with its dog after having to leave it in Dubai. |
The pet, named Holly, was adopted by Darren Smith and his family two years ago when it was a street dog in the United Arab Emirates. | The pet, named Holly, was adopted by Darren Smith and his family two years ago when it was a street dog in the United Arab Emirates. |
But they had to leave it behind when Mr Smith lost his job and the family moved back to the UK to live in Andover. | But they had to leave it behind when Mr Smith lost his job and the family moved back to the UK to live in Andover. |
However, a chance sighting on a Dubai website led to Holly coming to the UK, and the parties were reunited. | However, a chance sighting on a Dubai website led to Holly coming to the UK, and the parties were reunited. |
Mr Smith explained that they had taken steps to obtain a pet passport in May, including a blood test which is needed six months before travel, so Holly was able to come into the country without a quarantine period. | |
But the family was devastated at having to leave their pet behind due to financial costs, adding his daughter Alyssa was "heartbroken". | |
Mr Smith said he thought Holly had been rehomed with a "nice family". | Mr Smith said he thought Holly had been rehomed with a "nice family". |
'Priceless' moment | |
But two months after they returned to Andover, they spotted the animal on a Dubai website appealing for a new home after it was found on the street and in bad health. | But two months after they returned to Andover, they spotted the animal on a Dubai website appealing for a new home after it was found on the street and in bad health. |
The family began moves to bring the dog to the UK and it arrived last Thursday. | The family began moves to bring the dog to the UK and it arrived last Thursday. |
Mr Smith said: "When there was a chance to bring her home we had to. | |
"I grumbled about the money but the look on my daughter's face was a priceless family moment." | |
Mr Smith said he had to convince the Dubai authorities it had not been his family that abandoned the dog before they agreed to send Holly over. | Mr Smith said he had to convince the Dubai authorities it had not been his family that abandoned the dog before they agreed to send Holly over. |