How Much is that Doggie in the Window???

The answer is a US money order for $10.  The question is:  "What must one do to get a pet (in this case Murphy) to the Bahamas?"  One contacts the Department of Agriculture in the Bahamas and completes a form that is then mailed to the DOA along with the  money order.  They process it and return an "importation permit" which must accompany the pet.  The pet also needs a "health certificate" from a US vet that attests to certain immunizations, a lack of parasites and good overall health.   The vaccinations are fairly standard and most well cared for pets would have them:  rabies, distemper, etc.  However, there is one vaccination that is  non-standard: coronavirus.  Theoretically, the vet's attestation is sufficient for entry but must be followed by a visit to a Bahamian vet within 48 hours of arrival.  The various sources are in conflict about this last rule, and I suspect the vet visit is up to the official who checks you in.  We are planning to go to a lovely marina on Bimini with its own Customs and Immigration officials. I hope that helps to avoid trekking Bimini to find a vet.

A bigger challenge will be to get Murphy to "potty" on a square of astro-turf, assuming we cannot get her to land.  She can "maintain" for up to ten hours but there will certainly be some nights when we are at anchor and the only "land" about is the square of turf.  Almost all of our friends think we are crazy to take a dog on a sea voyage.  Nonetheless, she was named Murphy for a reason.  Beside being John's grandmother's family name, it also means "sea warrior" in Gaelic.  This, we are sure, provides some sort of charm.  We'll soon see--at least we hope so.  Sandra