MOVING AND PACKING TIPS                    FOR THE FAMILY                      . . . . and your furry friends!!!!

 

Most people don't move often enough to become well practiced at it.

Moving can be a very stressful ordeal if you are not well prepared and there are many things

 that can come up unexpectedly.  I would like to help you to get through it as smoothly as possible

so that you will be able to enjoy your new home to it´s fullest potential. 

That's why this "To Do" list is so important.  Follow it to accomplish most of what you need to in preparation for your move

 and then check out suggestions from "Party Girl" and "Goldy Girl"
on making a move with your fur babies!

Ninety days prior to moving

Preparing for your move this far in advance may seem unnecessary, but some things should be done as soon as possible. Here are a few:

If commercial transportation (plane, rental car, bus), hotel or temporary living quarters figure into your moving plans, make the reservations as soon as possible. Have you ever tried to make a plane reservation to a popular destination during peak season? Don't risk this happening to you and your family unless you want the experience of flying "stand-by." OK, if you're moving to Anchorage in February, you might not have to worry--but don't take the chance. Make important reservations early.

Think about the pets that you have to transport and make the proper arrangements now to save you and them much unneeded and unnecessary stress. 

If you're going to use a commercial moving company, find one now and get a written estimate. You won't be pressed for time and you'll make your best deal.

Create a budget for the next three months and include the cost of moving.  This will help you to be prepared for any unusual costs that you might not otherwise take into account. 

If you are just moving across town, or only need short-term rental of a truck, dolly, storage unit, secure them now, or determine the earliest date you can reserve them. Note that date in your daybook.  

Thirty days prior to moving

Remember those reservations you made sixty days ago? Confirm them.

Go to the post office and grab as many "Address Change Notification" cards as you think you'll need--then grab a few more. (Your taxes helped pay for them and you'll probably need extras.) Send one to everyone you know or with whom you do business. Here's a short list of possible recipients:

Financial institutions: banks, brokerage companies, companies managing your retirement accounts created with previous employers, etc.

Credit card companies

Doctors, dentists, attorneys, insurance providers

State and Federal agencies from which you receive income

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Companies you might pay annually, such as you Internet service provider (ISP), pager, etc.

If you use a software program to compute your income taxes, it will contain the required, "Change of Address" form, so don't bother calling the IRS for one. If you pay a tax preparer, they'll have the form.

Go to your local "U-Drive" and purchase boxes, tape, marking pens, box-cutters, bubble-wrap, Styrofoam peanuts, rope, etc. Ask U-Drive if you can return any unopened or unused materials--if you can, get more than you think you'll need. Keep your receipt and take good care of the supplies until you use them.

If you are driving, plan your driving route.

Purchase or have a briefcase or satchel to exclusively contain your moving-related paperwork. Items to keep in it include:

All receipts associated with your move. Many expenses may be tax-deductible.

·        Itinerary

·        Travel route

·        Maps of your new neighborhood

·        Transportation tickets

·        Hotel information and reservation confirmation numbers

·        Any documents you think you'll want handy

·        Identification, copies of birth certificates, passports, and other necessary items

·        Copies of medical records

·        This list!

Two weeks prior to moving

Remember those reservations you made seventy-five days ago and confirmed two weeks ago? Confirm them again.  You never know what might happen to reservations and it´s better to know about mistakes now then to find out the day of your move.

You may be using professional movers who will help pack your household items. Whatever the case, there are some things you'll want to pack yourself. Items to consider include: Irreplaceable items like jewelry, coin collections, heirlooms, high school yearbooks, favorite coffee mugs, etc.  Computer, legal, medical, insurance, financial documents, etc.

Start packing all those boxes you have. Keep related items together and clearly mark the contents of all boxes. Identify boxes containing fragile items. Pack heavy items in small boxes; lighter items in larger boxes. Keep all boxes easily accessible. Don't tape them shut yet.

Contact utility, local and long-distance telephone, cable TV and trash companies and inform them of your move. Contact these types of companies at your new location and let them know when to activate them at your new address.

Recruit additional moving-day help if necessary.

Arrange to close or transfer your bank accounts if necessary.

One week prior to moving

Empty your safety deposit box.

You've been packing boxes for a week. Some boxes you go back to for things you need, some you haven't looked into since you packed them a week ago. Tape shut the boxes you haven't looked into since you packed them.

One day prior to moving

Go to the bank and get cash.

Today is the day to finish packing. Seal all boxes. Return to U-Drive all the unused packing materials and boxes.

Have a day-bag containing your toiletries, medications, first-aid kit, change of clothes, etc. This may be a good place to keep your purse or wallet, itinerary, travel tickets, extra glasses, book, etc. This will double as your carry-on bag if you're flying.

Conduct a maintenance inspection of your car. Check tire pressure, battery, radiator, oil and other fluids, fill the gas tank.

Pick up the rental truck.

Confirm casual help, movers, etc. you'll be using on moving day.

If you have children, pack a bag of games and extra batteries for their electronic games.   Make special arrangements for your pets during your move and transition to your new home.  "Party Girl" and "Goldy Girl" have some special suggestions for you and your furry fiends listed down below . . . .

Congratulate yourself on a difficult job well done!

Introducing Your Pets to Your New Home 

My two babies, "Goldy Girl" and "Party Girl" in Grand Nana´s back yard garden . . .

Here is what "Party Girl and Goldy Girl" have to say about planning a smooth move with your fur babies!

Moving into your new home is very exciting, for your entire family!! But did you know that introducing us to a new home can be incredibly scary and stressful for us? Fortunately, there are a lot of things that you can do to make this transition easier for your little buddies, which in the end makes it easier on you!

There are a lot of things that you can do to make the move less stressful on your pet. When moving, if possible, it would be a good idea to leave the dog with a friend they know. This will keep the dog out of your way when you are moving furniture, and decrease the chance that any accidents may happen. You can also leave the dog in the backyard while you move, as long as it is fully fenced and they cannot escape! Can´t do either?  Well then, the ?least and worst´ scenario is to crate your dog while moving the furniture into the home. Make sure the crate is large enough that they can stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably, and be sure to give them access to water and let them outside to ?do their business´ every few hours. Doors will be left open, items will be dropped, there will be a lot of commotion, and the best way to keep your pet safe during this time is to keep them out of the way.

During the packing process, you can actually plan ahead to make this as smooth a transition as possible for your four legged friend. Instead of trying to cram the packing into one or two days, planning to pack over a longer period of time can reduce the stress on your dog (and probably yourself as well!). Make sure that you pack their water and food bowls, toys, and blankets/beds in a separate box that will be easily accessible once you are at your new home. Dogs do not like change, so the more familiar the setting, the better! One easy trick is to make sure that they have belongings that smell like you, their people! Having a familiar scent in a strange place can make the transition easier. All you would need to do is put their toys in your laundry hamper for a few days, and they will smell just like you!! And don´t feel embarrassed, this is like the sweet smell of roses for your dog. These are as important to your dog as your child´s teddy bear is to them.

Consider having your pets spay or neutered prior to your move because this will help with their tendency to roam and protect against the unwanted visits from stray animals that might encourage your dog or cat to wander away from their new and unfamiliar surrounding.

If possible, prepare a fenced area for outdoor animals to keep them safe from other animals, people, and traffic.  Provide the necessities ? shelter from sun, rain, and inclement weather, food and water, along with lots of love and attention to ensure that your fur babies adjust to their new surroundings.

For more great tips on a successful move with your pet, please visit The Humane Society of the United States.

Housetraining is always a big issue, and even well-trained dogs may not know where to ?go´ in a new home. When you bring them to your new house, make sure that they are taken into the back right away, where they can ?do their business´. It may sound silly, but it is always a good idea to reward them with praise, so that they know they did something good! It may seem odd to your new neighbors that you are congratulating your dog for successfully going to the bathroom (you may become the most talked about person on your street), but your dog will think that they just won a gold medal for it!! You will want to keep en eye on them to make sure that they are able to find the back door (or front door depending on the home) whenever necessary. Here is a good rule of thumb to remember: let them out after playing for a period of time (15-30 minutes depending on age), after they wake up, and after they eat!

For puppies, the rules need to be modified slightly. You still want to show them where the door is, and give them lots of praise when they go where they should (this should be a very exciting event for them, and remember that the gold medal they are winning can come in the form of a treat!). Be sure to let them outside as often as possible, especially immediately after they eat, wake up, and every 10-15 minutes during playtime! There will be accidents, no puppy is perfect (adorable yes, perfect no!), so be patient and keep it positive!

Another point to keep in mind is that a puppy can "hold it" for approximately 1 hour for every month they are old. For example, a puppy that is only 2 months old, can generally ?hold it´ for approximately 2 hours at a time! This may not apply to every puppy, as they are just as different from each other as we are from other people, but it does give you an idea of what to expect.

For other great tips on housetraining your pet, please visit The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or The Humane Society of the United States.

Some other great links for advice on moving with your pet include:
Pets Welcome ? a great website for finding pet friendly hotels, for those long distance moves
Air Animal (pet movers) ? for the really, really long distance moves
Atlas World Group -- great advice for moving tips

Consult with your veterinarian about the use of microchips to help identify your pets in case they are lost or stolen. 

Be sure to have collars and tags updated with correct address and contact information on all of your pets and notify your veterinarian of your change of address as soon as possible.

A DOG'S PRAYER by Beth Norman Harris

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of mine.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though you had no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshipper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest -- and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

After You Relocate

Within the first 3 days:

Get phone books and maps of the region. Consider purchasing a Thomas Guide (Thomas Brothers Maps^®) for each car. A Thomas Guide is a map which lists names, addresses, phone numbers and locations of public transportation, public works, airports and airlines, major commercial and public buildings, Chamber of Commerce, colleges and universities, golf courses, hospitals, hotels and motels, libraries, post offices, private and public schools, shopping centers, U.S. government offices, points of interest, parks, Zip Code areas and more. Large grocery or stationery stores usually carry Thomas Guides.

Clear the kitchen table, spread your street map and identify locations of services such as these nearest you:

Police and fire stations

Hospitals and medical clinics

Gas stations

Grocery, pharmacy, hardware and department stores

Bank, dry cleaners, veterinarian

Within the first 10 days:

Call the garbage company or Department of Sanitation. Find out when the garbage and recyclable material is picked up. Are special containers required for recycling plastic, paper, oil, etc?

Contact the Chamber of Commerce. They can provide a wealth of information about your community. Your local chamber may have informational packets designed especially for newcomers.

Call City Hall and find out where to register to vote.

Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to change the address on your driver's license.

Identify and contact your new doctor and dentist. Contact your previous care providers and request your records be sent to them.

Contact your new insurance agent. He or she can help you transfer your existing insurance policies.

Realize that moving is one of the most stressful activities one can experience. Make extra efforts to be patient and tolerant during this difficult time.