A local vetrinary clinic used the latest technology to ensure smooth sailing for a family who were being told to leave their dog behind as they cruised the Atlantic.
When the Bell family planned their trip to the United Kingdom aboard the Queen Mary II, their first step was to make sure the family dog, Buddy, a 1-year-old golden lab, had the proper paperwork and the required microchip installed — which they took care of months before their voyage, embarking from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook.
But once they arrived at the terminal at 11 am recently, Buddy wasn’t allowed to board because the cruise line didn’t have the proper equipment to read his microchip.
“They [the Cunard cruise line] have a nine-digit microchip reader and a 15-digit microchip reader, [but Buddy] had a 10-digit chip licensed and endorsed by the American Kennel Club. The nine-digit reader picked up the chip, but could not give the number, and declared him unfit to travel,” explains Mrs. Bell.
Naturally, the Bells were stunned and scrambled to figure out how they could get Buddy on the ship. They made frantic calls to their vet in Colorado, who, with some phone calls, discovered that Cunard only needed a newer microchip reader … but time was running out.
After four agonizing hours, Cunard officials told the family that if the chip could not be read by 4:30 pm, the dog couldn’t travel. Mrs. Bell refused to give up.
“This is America. With the Statue of Liberty looking at me,” she said. “As an American, I know Americans NEVER give up, we keep on fighting and we figure out a way to get the job done.”
With the help of Liz Basalto, who works at the terminal, Bell was put in touch with the Cobble Hill Animal Clinic. The clinic had the proper chip reader, and rushed down to the terminal. Buddy’s chip was read and the Bells and their pooch were free to travel!
The Bells boarded the QM2 with 10 minutes to spare while they cried, “God bless America, the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Staff and The Cobble Hill Animal Clinic!”
