The killer crunch question...has Bella been given her rabies jabs? That will impact on your timescale...

A good vet in the UK should be able to help you with everything you need to do vis a vis the export stuff. The airline has to have signed documentation that your pet is healthy and fit to travel (issued no more than 48 hours before your flight).

Dr Khaled said that he could organise our import permit - he needed certification of jabs (rabies) and copy of passport. It is quite possible that the permit could be sent to you electronically, if you think about it, most people would unlikely to be here on the ground in Qatar anyway...

Thanks for the compliments anyway Ijust know that I couldn't leave my beloved pet behind if I was coming out for a long stay, so happy to help anyone else.

A haircut would probably be a good idea anyway, considering the heat, but I am sure that your dog doesn't weigh over 6kg. If she does, I would have a rather thorough look at her pedigree papers!!!!