RustomJI MahromJI Nasunnevala is back

Rustom, he whom Kumud chose as a birthday present from the RSPCA in Malaysia almost 14 years ago, and who has travelled from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam to Chicago and now to Mumbai, all on KLM Cargo or Delta Cargo flights by the way, made it home last week.

Rustom had spent the past month in the excellent care of Suraj and Sanam at Perfect Pooch on the outskirts of Mumbai (www.perfectpooch.co.in). Suraj even showed up at 3 a.m. to collect Rustom with me from Mumbai airport when he first arrived.

Rustom is not a turtle.

His dispatch from Chicago had been arranged by Clay Dabbert at Aark Air International (www.aarkair.com), and colleagues at KLM Cargo in Chicago and Amsterdam watched over his travels.

Importing a dog into India involves submitting an application to Indian Customs ahead of time, for an NOC (No Objection Certificate) as well as an application to the Quarantine Department. I mean, you’d hate for someone to import a disease not already known in India.

Clay's send-off note for Rustom.

Writer Relocations took care of all the prior approvals, and so at 3 a.m. Sanjay was present at Mumbai Airport to collect Rustom, who’d spent a night at the Animal Hotel of KLM Cargo in Amsterdam in between his Chicago and Mumbai flights. For a 14 - year old dog he was frisky and in good shape. 

His first walks around the neighbourhood have been an experience as we try to find patches of green. 

Right now he’s plonked in Mira’s room.