My well heeled friends have an old, pampered, large dog.  They took
the dog to France but the dog is not well enough to make the return
trip back to NYC.  Money is no object, within reason.  Private jets
are too expensive, for example.  But they want that dog back over the
pond and it is essential that the dog be comfortable and not upset by
the experience.  So, my question's answer requires links to a site or
sites that can get that large dog to return over the ocean in a
comfortable, non-threatening, non-cargo, dog-friendly manner.

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 13 Dec 2005 22:34 PST

Hi inquiringmind003,

I've answered quite a few international and domestic dog travel
questions.  You say the dog isn't well enough to make the trip back to
NYC.  Are you suggesting the dog can't travel by plane and it would be
ideal to travel via ocean liner?

If so, traveling on an ocean liner is quite limited to availability -
unless things have changed drastically over the past year - especially
for a larger dog.

Please have a look at the following site... poke around the FAQ's and
other pages on the site, maybe give them a call and get all the
particulars.
 
http://www.animaltransportation.com/

If this information works out for you, please let me know so that I can post an
official answer and collect my fee.

Best regards,
tlspiegel

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Clarification of Question by inquiringmind003-ga on 14 Dec 2005 08:26 PST

Hi. I forwarded your answer to my girlfriend.  She will let me know if
that link is sufficient to get the Afgan WolfHound home from France. 
If it
is then of course I'll let you know right away, and pay you.
  It's a big old dog that gets too nervous to travel without being
near his owner.  That's why travel by cargo is no good.  Normally they
would give the dog tranquilizers and put him in cargo on the plane,
but owing to his age they feel the the tranquilizers are too dangerous
for the dog.  Probably some sort
of boat is the only way to get the dog back.  I'll let you know as soon as
I hear back.

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 14 Dec 2005 08:37 PST

Hi inquiringmind003,

Thank you for your clarification.   Hopefully, we'll find out some way
to get him back safe and sound without incident. :)

Many years ago I flew a lot (domestically) with my Afghan Hound.  She
did well, but she was young.  Yes, they are very large dogs!

Best regards,
tlspiegel

Another alternative  - cheaper than chartered jet -  could be a
passage as a passenger on a freighter.  Who knows, maybe if the old
fellow isn't shy of strangers, he could make the voyage himself. 
Could be an interesting story: Dog in the Owner's Cabin returns to
NYC.
http://www.juddspittler.com/freighterbum/links.htm

Hi. I apologize for taking so long to get back to you.  My girlfriend
researched the web addresses that have been provided and concluded
that all of them require the dog to be put into a box and travel
without the owner being beside the dog.  I should have made it clearer
that the owner insists of sitting next to the dog during the trip
accross the pond.
   I'm going to close the question because there seems to be no
solution. Incredibly, the family has decided to stay in France until
the dog dies of old age.  The will fly to New York to take care of
business, then fly back to France to keep the dog company.
   Dog owners really love their dogs.  My girlfriend says a dog is like a child.
   Anyway, thanks to all for the suggestions.

Thanks for coming back here.  One is always curious.
Touching devotion, don't know whether to wish the old chap a long life
or a speedy end.

Respects to the owners, Myoarin