From St Petersburg to Dubai with K9 JETS: A Bernese Mountain Dog's Extraordinary Journey

45 kilograms of fur, three hours to arrange an export health certificate, a few sleepless nights and a flight I almost wished would never end.

Some journeys are memorable for the places you visit. Others are memorable for the people you meet. And occasionally, a journey comes along that makes you question your sanity before reminding you just how wonderful people can be.

This was one of those journeys.

My travelling companion was Rudiger, an eleven-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog weighing a rather impressive 45 kilograms.

He looked like a fully grown dog, but underneath all that fur was still a puppy, curious about everything and completely unaware of the logistical nightmare involved in getting him from St Petersburg to Dubai.

Our route would take us through Estonia, Latvia, mainland Europe and the UK before boarding a K9 JETS flight from London Luton to Dubai.

I should mention that Rudiger handled the entire experience considerably better than I did.

Then again, he wasn't dealing with the veterinary paperwork.

Pet Travel Documents: Four Hours, One Mistake and an €860 Fine

The first difficulties began in Russia.

From 1 October 2026, a new model veterinary certificate became mandatory for newly issued documents covering non-commercial pet movements from third countries into the EU.

The Russian veterinary inspectors were still becoming familiar with the new form, and what should have been a fairly straightforward procedure turned into almost four hours of corrections.

The queue grew longer, everyone's patience grew shorter, and we continued checking and amending the certificate.

Eventually, it was issued.

Unfortunately, one mistake remained. The accompanying person had been entered as the consignee instead of the dog's owner.

At the Estonian border, that apparently minor error caused serious complications. The owners ended up paying an €860 fine before Rudiger could continue his journey.

I suspect Rudiger would have preferred €860 worth of beef.

Thankfully, everything was resolved.

I'd like to thank Margarita, who accompanied Rudiger from St Petersburg to Riga, and Olga, whom Elena, Rudiger's owner, had recommended with complete confidence.

Elena assured me Olga would manage the arrangements, and she was right.

Despite the difficulties, Rudiger arrived in Calais exactly when expected.

I'm also grateful to the drivers who looked after him during the journey. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to learn their names. Our meeting in Calais was more like a Formula One pit stop than a proper handover.

Dog collected, documents checked, everyone accounted for. Now we'd better catch that ferry!

UK Export Health Certificate 3926EHC: Three Hours to Get Everything Right

While Rudiger and I were crossing the English Channel, I was busy submitting an application for the UK Export Health Certificate required for entry into the United Arab Emirates, model 3926EHC.

The ferry's internet connection behaved rather like British weather. It was unpredictable and tended to disappear precisely when needed.

Nevertheless, about thirty minutes before arriving in Dover, I finally managed to submit the application.

The following morning, I needed APHA, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, to process it urgently so that the official veterinarian could access the certificate.

We then had just three hours to complete the veterinary certification.

Three hours!

Normally, I would allow several working days for a procedure like this. Under these circumstances, I would have considered it practically impossible.

Fortunately, I knew exactly which veterinary clinic I wanted to work with.

A Special Thank You to CTvets Chelsea

I've long admired the professionalism of CTvets Chelsea, particularly their careful approach to international veterinary travel documents.

This time, however, I presented them with a challenge that nobody would reasonably have wanted on an ordinary working day.

Rudiger had originally departed from Russia, but the UAE veterinary authorities required an official export certificate issued in the United Kingdom.

That meant a clinical examination, careful document checks and completion of the certificate, all within an extraordinarily tight deadline.

Dr Stefano Skert and the CTvets team handled the situation brilliantly.

The certificate was ready just seven to ten minutes before the deadline for submitting it to the veterinary authorities in Dubai.

I cannot thank them enough.

Their attention to detail, sense of responsibility and willingness to help under such pressure made an enormous difference.

I sincerely hope we will continue working together, although I suspect my name appearing in their appointment diary might now cause a few raised eyebrows.

While I was dealing with veterinary paperwork, Rudiger was having a rather better time.

Thanks to Niko, he enjoyed a comfortable overnight stay in London and received excellent care. He even managed a walk through Hyde Park with Yana Parker-Romanova, a professional dog trainer whose genuine love of dogs and remarkable attention to detail I particularly appreciate.

Thank you both for looking after our enormous youngster so well.

Flying with K9 JETS: A Private Jet Experience for Dogs, Cats and Their Humans

Early on 16 October, Niko and I helped Rudiger into the car, and I set off for London Luton Airport.

After leaving my car in the long-stay car park, Rudiger and I made our way to the Signature Aviation private terminal.

This was where the stressful part of the journey finally came to an end.

The K9 JETS team gave us a wonderful welcome.

Everything felt relaxed, well organised and genuinely friendly. What impressed me most was the way the animals were treated.

Here, dogs and cats weren't an inconvenience to be accommodated. They were the reason everyone was there.

Among the passengers were dogs with disabilities, including some using specially adapted wheelchairs.

Seeing them travelling with their owners was particularly moving.

Imagine being willing to spend $13,500 on a flight simply to make sure your beloved dog can travel beside you, safely and comfortably.

Some people might think that's an outrageous amount of money.

Perhaps.

You could probably send your mother-in-law in economy for considerably less.

But your beloved dog? Nothing but the very best.

I'm joking, of course. Particularly about mothers-in-law who cope admirably with lengthy connections and actually prefer economy class.

But there is a serious point behind the joke.

You can pay $13,500 for a flight. What you cannot buy is the love that makes someone willing to spend that money.

To many of us, our cats and dogs are the guardians of our souls.

Watching those owners with their animals, especially the dogs who needed additional care, reminded me just how powerful that bond can be.

An Enormous Sofa, Two Persian Cats and Five Hours of Sleep

When the aircraft was ready, Rudiger and I were among the first to board.

We were shown to a quiet, spacious area towards the rear of the cabin, with an enormous sofa.

Opposite us sat a young woman travelling with two beautiful Persian cats.

Rudiger was fascinated.

Once we were airborne, he decided that the floor was more comfortable than the sofa. I tried persuading him otherwise, but he had clearly made up his mind.

I spread out his blanket, and he settled down beside me, occasionally raising his head to study the Persian cats.

This left the entire sofa to me.

After several almost sleepless nights, I wasn't about to argue.

Breakfast arrived: fresh croissants, pastries, fruit and excellent coffee.

I ate, stretched out on the sofa, rested my hand on Rudiger so I could keep track of him, and fell asleep.

For five hours.

I have travelled on plenty of aircraft over the years, but I don't remember ever sleeping that well on one.

When I woke up, Rudiger was still resting peacefully beside me, although his interest in the Persian cats seemed undiminished.

Lunch was equally impressive. I chose the fish, which was beautifully prepared and tasted more like something from a good restaurant than an airline meal.

I relaxed for a little longer before the crew announced that we were beginning our descent into Dubai.

For perhaps the first time in my travelling life, I wasn't particularly pleased to hear that we were about to land.

K9 JETS had given us an extraordinary experience.

Their team managed to combine the comfort of private aviation with something far more important: an atmosphere in which people could genuinely enjoy travelling with their animals.

I am enormously grateful to everyone involved.

Jetex Dubai at Al Maktoum International Airport: Hospitality I Will Never Forget

We arrived at Al Maktoum International Airport, DWC, where our arrival was handled by Jetex Dubai.

I thought the flight had already shown me just how good luxury travel could be.

Apparently, Dubai had other ideas.

The welcome at Jetex was extraordinary.

Beautiful lounges, polished white marble, comfortable sofas, excellent refreshments and an incredible amount of personal attention.

But what struck me most wasn't the surroundings. It was the people.

The staff seemed genuinely pleased to welcome us. They were attentive without being intrusive and constantly ready to help.

I'm perfectly accustomed to carrying my own belongings.

At Jetex, all I had to do was glance at a bag and someone would appear, pick it up and carry it alongside me.

One could become dangerously accustomed to this sort of treatment.

Veterinary Clearance in Dubai and a Missing Bernese Mountain Dog

Even the veterinary inspection took place in a remarkably calm atmosphere.

A veterinary inspector and an assistant came to the terminal to examine the animals' documents.

Rudiger's journey required some explanation because his vaccination history was recorded in his Russian pet passport, while his final export health certificate had been issued in the UK.

The inspector carefully checked everything, including the Russian vaccination records.

All was in order.

During the paperwork, however, I managed to have a brief moment of panic.

I'd left Rudiger nearby and told him very firmly to stay.

When I looked for him a little later, he wasn't there.

I started searching the lounge, imagining that he'd slipped through a door and decided to explore Dubai without me.

Then I noticed something.

Rudiger was following me.

Everywhere I went, he went.

While I was looking for the dog, the dog was making absolutely sure he didn't lose me.

I suppose that settled the question of who was responsible for whom.

Soon afterwards, the transfer arranged by Elena arrived to collect him.

The driver was exceptionally kind and actually insisted that Rudiger should travel on the comfortable rear seats.

Even in London, finding a taxi driver happy to accommodate a 45-kilogram dog on the back seat isn't always easy.

I helped Rudiger settle in, gave him a cuddle, kissed his enormous wet nose and wished him a long, happy life.

Our adventure was over.

He was safely on his way home.

Jetex Dubai's Final Surprise: A Complimentary Chauffeur Transfer

I still needed to reach Dubai International Airport, DXB, for my return flight.

That meant travelling approximately sixty kilometres across Dubai.

As I approached reception to ask about transport, I caught my foot on a step made from almost the same white marble as the surrounding floor.

I didn't fall, and nothing serious happened.

Nevertheless, three members of staff immediately came over to check that I was all right, apologising and asking whether I needed anything.

For a moment, I felt like a visiting royal who had narrowly survived an encounter with a particularly dangerous staircase.

When they discovered that I needed to get to another airport, they arranged a luxurious chauffeur-driven car.

The journey was wonderfully comfortable.

On arrival, I reached for my bank card to pay the driver.

He immediately waved his hands.

"No, no. It's complimentary!"

I was astonished.

Jetex Dubai, I cannot thank you enough.

I've travelled extensively, but your kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity left a lasting impression on me.

Luxury facilities are wonderful, of course. But what makes a place truly exceptional is the way its people make you feel.

Your team made me feel genuinely welcome from the moment we arrived until the moment I left.

That's something I will always remember.

Dubai to London in Economy Class: Welcome Back to Reality

And then, rather abruptly, I returned to ordinary commercial aviation.

Economy class.

Narrow seats.

Just enough legroom for one's legs to remain, technically speaking, attached to the rest of the passenger.

No sofas. No attentive staff anticipating my every wish.

I even had to fetch my own coffee.

Welcome back to reality.

My return journey involved a connection in Istanbul and a transfer between airports.

After the extraordinary comfort of K9 JETS, my body regarded economy-class seating as something of a personal insult.

By the time I landed at Luton, I was more than ready to get home.

Fortunately, my car was waiting in the airport car park, and roughly an hour later I was back with my six cats.

They were delighted to see me.

Or, more accurately, delighted that their catering department had reopened.

It turns out that VIP service isn't exclusive to K9 JETS and Jetex.

My cats have their own version.

Unfortunately, the entire staff consists of just one person.

Me.

I stopped to buy chicken, prepared their food and fed all six before finally sitting down to my own dinner.

Every kingdom has its rules.

International Pet Travel: Why Peace of Mind Matters as Much as Comfort

This journey gave me an even greater appreciation of what K9 JETS has created.

There is, however, one area where I believe their already excellent service could become even better.

That is the coordination of veterinary travel documentation before departure.

When a flight is approaching and important questions remain unanswered, the uncertainty can be extremely stressful for owners.

In our case, preparing and obtaining the necessary veterinary documents was by far the most demanding part of the entire journey.

I understand that K9 JETS has its own operational procedures and response times. Nevertheless, international veterinary requirements don't always fit neatly into those timelines.

I've spent many years working with international pet transport regulations through LISKO TRAVEL TOUR, and I know how much reassurance a clear, step-by-step process can provide.

Advance document checks, practical guidance and timely communication with veterinary authorities could make an already wonderful experience even more reassuring.

The flight itself was exceptional. I would love to see every client able to enjoy that same sense of confidence during the preparation stage.

After all, the greatest luxury isn't an enormous sofa or a restaurant-quality lunch.

It's knowing that someone you love is safe.

Why I Created LISKO TRAVEL TOUR and My Vision for Animal Rescue

At home, I have six rescued cats.

I often say, quite sincerely, that my cats taught me how to be a better human being.

They taught me patience, compassion, responsibility and the value of every living soul.

That is why I have always believed there is a fundamental question worth asking about the way we transport animals.

Freight logistics or passenger travel?

Cargo and commodities, or members of the family?

I'm not describing a legal distinction here. I'm describing the way we choose to see the animals entrusted to our care.

For me, they're family.

And this philosophy extends beyond my work in international pet transport.

I'm using my own earnings to develop an online platform for cats, dogs and the people who care for them.

My aim is to build a sustainable system of financial support for small shelters and independent animal rescuers.

These are extraordinary people who rescue abandoned animals from hunger, illness, freezing conditions and death, often spending the last of their own money to do so.

I want to create a system that helps them afford food, treatment and ongoing care without constantly facing heartbreaking financial decisions.

It's an ambitious project, and there is still a long way to go.

But every successful journey helps me move a little closer to making it possible.

Because to me, cats and dogs are far more than pets.

They are members of our families.

And the guardians of our souls.

A Personal Thank You to Everyone Who Helped Rudiger Reach Dubai

My sincere thanks to Margarita, Olga and the drivers who accompanied Rudiger across Europe and cared for him throughout the journey.

To Niko and Yana Parker-Romanova for looking after him so wonderfully in London.

To CTvets Chelsea and Dr Stefano Skert for their outstanding professionalism and for making the seemingly impossible possible in just three hours.

To the entire K9 JETS team for a magnificent flight, exceptional care and a truly memorable experience travelling with animals.

And to everyone at Jetex Dubai for hospitality, generosity and kindness that went far beyond anything I expected.

A special thank you to Elena, Rudiger's devoted mum, for trusting me with her wonderful boy.

And, of course, thank you to Rudiger himself, our magnificent 45-kilogram youngster who made the whole adventure possible.

Vladimir Kotlis

Founder, LISKO TRAVEL TOUR

International Pet Transport and Veterinary Travel Documentation

https://www.liskotraveltour.com/