I Didn’t Dance with the Wolves. But Travelled with the Dogs. And it is a Lot of Fun.

We travelled with our dogs to Mumbai, by train.

I traveled with Bolt before, but this was with both Holly and Bolt. Yes, there was some experience to fall back on, but such travel is always a shade of unpredictable but fun.

First things first, these are 10 things one needs to do to travel on the train with pets:

1. One can take pets as co-passengers (?) only in AC 1st Class. In other cases, the pets will be traveling by the brake van (or guard’s van), in a cage.

2. In AC 1st Class one has to be in a coupe (two berths) or a cabin (four births). So ideally two people should travel in a coupe, otherwise, you never know whether the co-passenger will be ok to have a pet around.

3. Some have tried booking two berths instead of one while traveling alone, but as per rules, the second berth is to be given away if another passenger in the Waiting List lands up, or someone elsewhere on the train seeks an upgrade.

4. One can travel only with one species — like only dog(s) or cat(s). How many of a species? I don’t know.

5. You will know the allocation of coupe or cabin only when the chart is out, which is roughly four hours before the departure. But I assume if the tickets are confirmed, it is more or less a done deal.

6. One should go to the Reservation Desk of the station of departure, and make a specific request for the allocation of a coupe or cabin two days before the departure. A fit-to-travel certificate of the pets, listing all vaccinations with current validity is a must for submission.

7. The pets will be taken in as extra luggage, and each will be taken as 60 kg minimum. One needs to go to the Parcel Office of the station, a couple of hours before departure, and make necessary bookings.

8. Plan for transport on both sides to and from the station. Given the reluctance of many App Taxi to carry the pets, a specialized car agency is preferable. Also start early, even if you have to wait at the station.

9. The pets may poop or susu in the train. Don’t bother. All the attendants are aware of this, and they will clean if necessary. However, if you can help in the process, well it is great too.

10. Make sure you carry all the pet supplies, including emergency medicines. I will suggest at least something anti vomit, and preventing loose motion.

Well the logistics part has been done, what are some of the stories to tell? There are a few for sure.

Let’s start with H M Mahesh, a member of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), whom we met when we went to drop the application for Coupe allocation to the Reservation Office. Mahesh was sitting at the reception, and we asked him for directions, but he asked the purpose, checked our documents, said we had enclosed too many, and then asked us to drop them in the box next to him.

Jonali, my wife asked whether we would get one allocated for us. And then Mahesh was in his element. He said how Indian Railways put pets ahead of even MPs in case of Coupe/ Cabin allocations. And how all of us will be protected by the Railways as soon as we step onto the platform, and how emergencies will be handled. He rattled the names of successive Railway Ministers, and who brought what changes for the passenger. We were just amazed at both Mahesh’s knowledge and pride about the job.

The dogs also made us mini-celebrity. There was a small crowd on a platform around us — some were taking photos, one girl took selfies with them, and quite a few wanted to know the process of traveling with pets. Many shared stories of having pets — now or in the past. And none displayed any discomfort or fear of being around them.

This contrasts so much with our apartments in Bengaluru and Kolkata, where we meet so many who almost act as if suffering from panic attacks when the furry babies are around. I wonder why so. Maybe the affluents have built too many barriers in their minds about imaginary threats —things that will take away their comfort. While a large part of the country is grounded, they know having animals around is a natural state.

So how did the babies act? Well they enjoyed — with countless walks in corridors, and few alights at the stations, they too had an adventure. Or so we like to think.