WHISPA the whippet will have plenty of puppy love coming her way in the next few months after something of a whirlwind romance on a history-making journey.

The jet-set canine is believed to have become the first dog to complete the round trip between Bermuda and Britain since the "pet passport" scheme started seven months ago.

Owner Cathy Williams, who lives in Devonshire, took her pedigree pooch to London to breed and the trip was a total success - Whispa is now pregnant."As far as we know she is the first dog to make the round trip," said Mrs Williams. "I stayed with my parents in Surrey while she went to breed.

"Whippets are unusual in Bermuda, but my husband (Frank) and I started breeding whippets here. One time we had a litter of ten pups and they all survived. I see them around quite often. They're two-and-a-half years old now."

Whispa left for London on the British Airways flight on November 15 last year and returned five days before Christmas.

Clyde Lee, cargo customer services manager for Aircraft Services Bermuda, said around 20 animals had travelled to Britain under the "pet passport" programme - and they travelled in style. "The animal rides all the way in complete, first-class comfort," said Mr. Lee. He added that Whispa had travelled in a sealed kennel with food and water in the bulk hold.

The captain of the plane is always notified when an animal is travelling to ensure the heating is on in the hold.

Before the pet passport scheme, animals travelling into Britain were kept in quarantine for six months before being reunited with their owners.

Now, so long as they meet a list of requirements including rabies vaccination and freedom from worms and ticks, animals can be picked up at the airport by the owner.