KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — An American couple worked for two years to save US$45,000 (RM191,961) so they could travel the world with their three pet dogs.
The trip planned by Melanie Demi and husband, Albert, for their two-year-old Great Dane, Lucas, Golden Retriever, Cooper, 15, and Dachshund mix, Brooklyn, include a chartered trip on a private jet, from New York to Paris.
Melanie said it took three months of planning and cost US$11,000 (RM46,923) per person and over US$100,000 (RM426,580) for the whole flight.
The flight was shared with 10 other dog owners travelling to Europe with their pets.
“We saved around US$45,000 over two years and sold everything we had to be able to afford it,” the 26-year-old media marketing consultant told Metro.
To date, the party of five have travelled to six countries — France, Germany, Austria, Czechia, England and Scotland — after Melanie and Albert hired a car to drive around Europe.
They work remotely and have been on the road for four months, staying at dog-friendly Airbnbs and plan to keep going until November 2023 before heading home to Texas.
Melanie said people on social media asked why they don’t leave them at home but she thinks the dogs enjoyed the trips.
“The dogs might not know where they are, but they love exploring new places and it’s about having them with us and making memories.”
“Sitting at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and seeing them roll on the grass, or at the Christmas markets where they got a lot of pets, or running on the beach in Edinburgh, it’s all just incredible,” she said.
Next on the itinerary, they will travel to the French Riviera, Italian wine country and stopping in Florence before going over to Croatia and Kosovo.
They will also be making a stop in Albania to visit Albert’s relatives.
Before returning to Texas, the group will be heading to Oktoberfest in Germany, and the Rugby World Cup back in France.
