More Than a Move: A Friendship Built on Trust and a Love for Cats

The story begins in October 2024, when the customer arrived in Italy under a military contract and Neno was their designated move coordinator. They bonded over a love for cats and remained friends throughout their stay in Italy. When it was time to return home, two years later, Gary and Shannon immediately contacted Gosselin in Vicenza again.

The shipment was enormous with 41 crates of household goods. "It was a VIP move from the start," Neno recalls. "There was a lot of responsibility to make sure everything went smoothly."

A move through the heart of Vicenza

Gary and Shannon were living in two apartments in downtown Vicenza, a beautiful city known for its historic architecture… and for movers, its logistical puzzles. Old Italian buildings often come with narrow staircases, tiny entrances, small windows, and limited access. Delivering and collecting household goods in city centres is rarely straightforward, and this move was no exception.

The packing alone took three full days and five men . Every item had to be handled with care, not only because of the building constraints, but because Gary and Shannon were deeply attached to their belongings. "They really valued their possessions," says Neno. "You could tell every piece had a story."

Unique items

Among those possessions were several unique handmade cat trees, carefully crafted for the couple's beloved cats; Rugby and Faith. During the couple’s first move, that shared love for animals helped create a genuine friendship between customer and coordinator. Whenever Gary and Shannon travelled, Neno would look after their cats

Another item of special cargo was Gary’s 1977 Datsun 280Z, a classic car with unmistakable James Bond vibes. “The household goods have already departed in three large containers while the vehicle remains in storage until certain custom requirements are completed,” says Neno who made sure the entire process was stress-free for the customers.

Grateful customers

While the scale of the move was impressive, what truly stood out to Neno was Gary and Shannon's kindness. "They thanked every single mover personally," Neno recalls. “And they organized a celebration for my birthday with cake on top of providing lunch for the entire team every day.”

International moving is often about logistics, paperwork, and transportation. But every move also involves people, relationships, and trust. For Gary Helfeldt and Shannon Baker, Gosselin was there for two major chapters of their international journey: arriving in Italy and returning home again.

About Gosselin

Gosselin is a leading provider of international moving and destination services. Our clients are  multinationals, relocation management companies, expats, diplomats, military personnel and private persons. With 56 offices in 34 countries, Gosselin has a strong presence in Europe, Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia.  

Gosselin is a division of the Gosselin Group that has its headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium. The company was founded in 1930 and employs a staff of 1.500+ that generates more than 450 million euros in turnover.