We are safely here in Houston. I will post more when we get a little more settled. Of course, who knows when that will be. I will take the time to post a PSA with regards to traveling with your pets.
Fiona and I were set to fly out at 8:15am. We woke up at 5:30 at my sister's. We had found T and put him in our garage to make sure we didn't have to hunt him down. I took a few minutes and one prayer to stuff him into our pet carrier. We took at least 40 minutes to drive to PDX. I unloaded all of our stuff and with the help of the rental car guy managed to perch everything precariously on a cart. We had to wait in line because we had to pay for T's travel. ($80!) Then she told me that our carrier wasn't going to work because it was too big. Apparently T counts as one of my carry-ons and he was going to ride with us!!!! I had no idea. No one said anything about it when we booked his ticket. She said she wasn't sure where we could find an appropriate carrier. Luckily the Continental desk had one for the special price of $55!!! Then she let me know that I would have to walk with him out of any carrier through the metal detector.
So, we get in line for the security screening. Once we got up to the place where you start taking off your shoes, I had to step to the side because I had no idea how I was to take care of our 4 carry-ons, including a lap top they like you to power up, the shoes and jackets of Fiona and myself and then get the cat out of the carrier and walk all three of us through the metal detector. It took me 5 minutes to work up the gumption to attempt all of this. I threw everything on the conveyor belt and yanked off our shoes and jackets and sent Fiona ahead. I grabbed T and very gingerly coaxed him out of his hated carrier. We managed to take him through and then get into the approved pet carrier. I had to get the TSA guy's attention in order to ask if he could throw away the old carrier. I could just imagine what kind of furor it would cause were we to leave the carrier past the security area.
Most of the passengers were already boarded by the time we got on. T was stowed away under the seat ahead of us. He did really well.
So, research all of the potential facts when it comes to transporting your pets, huh? I had no idea he was going to ride with us. It was a bit weird. He managed to survive the upheaval, so much so he looks to hubby for love and protection now when he used to cower when he came into the room. Weirdo!
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4 comments:
I hate all that airport security craziness. Although it is for good reason. But I'm glad you survived with the cat. And I had to laugh that he now loves your husband more!
What happened to the good ole days of wishing your dear pet luck as you watch him disappear through the curtain? If I had to carry my crazy cat through security, I would have undoubdtedly come out the other side bleeding and requiring sedation (for either of us).
When we moved to Seattle a decade ago, I took the aforementioned psycho kitty to the vet to be sedated for the 3+ hour car ride. Since we had previously been invited NOT to return by no less than 2 veterinarians, we didn't frequent a cat carrier too often. So I gingerly set him in a box, folded the lid and hoped for the best. As I balance the box and reach out an arm to open the door to the vet's office, I see this claw shoot up, grab the lid and rip it down as a grey streak shoots out of the box toward highway 99. Long story short, they gave that cat enough sedation to fall a horse and he still moaned the entire 3 hours.
So as you can tell, I am a big proponent of pets riding in the cargo hold. Congrats on finding a normal cat that tolerated such a big adventure! I can't wait to hear all about the new home.
I don't think he was normal, so much as a big scaredy cat. This is the same guy that is scared of bubbles. I think he just figured I was the lesser of two evils and he enjoyed all of the comments and chatting he got through the cage. Everyone to say something to the 'pretty kitty'.
Congratulations on making it in one piece and with all your digits! I'm not familiar with cats, but those I've met have been far more "crazy" than yours sounds so I'm glad the little guy cooperated. It must have known how stressed out you were and decided to give you a little peace on your trip. Way to go!
I'm so looking forward to hearing all about your new adventures in TEXAS!!!! It's a wonderful place and y'all will fit in like natives! (I know you'll be saying "y'all" very soon! LOL!)
Best of luck and many blessings!
Catherine
(Maddie Colley's Mom)
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