Lots of things but particularly pertinent: the onslaught of advertising everywhere, all the time. Especially as of late with thanksgiving/black friday: constant messages demanding that you buy, buy, buy and the focus on overconsumption. I returned to the states in spring and am planning my exit again because I forgot how draining it can be to parse through so much messaging vying for one’s attention 24/7.
You don’t have to rely on relocation companies for dog shuffling, just pick an airline that has a forgiving pet policy and break your trip up into two or more legs. It is more costly but that’s the price of pet ownership. You’d have to check on the requirements for importation to specific countries too but so long as they are old enough, are spayed and have the right vaccinations (and are out of a quarantine period, depending on where you go), you should be fine. Another poster linked to the U.S. agricultural agency and that website has all the info necessary.
I flew with my jack russell from the bay area to georgia with turkish airlines and it was pretty painless. She was in-cabin but we didn’t have relief breaks or anything, so I imagine it wasn’t the best time for her since I withheld water for the first half of the trip. If I had to do it again, I’d probably stop over in a european mediterranean city for mine and the dog’s sake.
Big facts, the lack of a solid social contract among americans, lack of nuance in rationalizing and a general inability to disagree respectfully are a tragic circumstance when combined.