Day 118 of 365: Takin Care of BiNNess

Snacking on some veggies tonight instead of chewy gummy snacks or crisps. Such a healthy little American I am! I didn't take a photo today because I've been on the phone with several places from the States and before long it was too dark to take a photo outside.

I did make some progress today in getting the ball rolling with the immigration of my furry kids to the UK. There are SO many strict rules they have to follow to get here from the US, but I love them like my own family so I will do what it takes. Any cat lover can appreciate this feeling.

I had to arrange for Sophie to get another rabies vaccination as her current one runs out on the 4th of February. If she doesn't get another one before that, her 6 month quarantine will have to start all over again and I will need to pay for another expensive titre test. The woman who is boarding the girls told me she could take Sophie for me on Friday for her vaccine since she has to stop by to pick up paperwork anyway (her dogs go to the same vet, thankfully). Also, I will conveniently be able to contact the vet and pay for the service with my card over the phone, so it won't cost her out of pocket -- not that $12 could break the bank.

For a pet to fly from the US to the UK, it's not as simple as them flying in the cabin on the flight with you. They have to follow something stringent called the PETS Scheme whereby they have to have certain tests done at certain times and specific paperwork filled out in specific coloured ink, etc. The unfortunate part about the whole process is that the "professionals" that I have to deal with, namely the small-town vet, have no idea what they're doing. In essence, I have to be the expert (as someone put it to me today).

I absolutely cannot wait until I can post Annie and Sophie's picture on this blog to show you all that they're here and starting to settle in. Myst will have two new female companions and won't even know what to do! But I am certain they will all be happy together with Matt and myself to love and fuss them all.

Day 90 of 365: Taking It Easy

It's hard to top the blog from last night...so I took it easy today. This is the bear Matt sent me back when I was in the States and we were 4500 miles apart with an entire ocean between us. It wasn't as nice as snuggling him in person, but it was comforting just the same and oh so soft!!

I'm missing my kitty girls a lot today. I get reports periodically from my dad who is in touch with the woman in North Carolina that is boarding them for me. Annie, my temperamental calico, eats a lot, apparently, and Sophie, my gray tabby just loves to be brushed. I wonder if they will hold resentment towards me for leaving them behind for 6 months. Stupid PETS scheme BS. Giving them up was not an option, so I'm just doing my best to wait it out until they can join us in the new year. I still felt awful having to leave them in August -- they both looked so hurt and betrayed when I walked away.

All being well, I will have them here with us by February or March. There's even a possibility that it would be cheaper for me to fly back to NC and bring them back myself rather than using the pet relocation agency, as previously planned. Fuel prices have dropped significantly which means flights will cost less, in addition to doing it during the winter months, which is non-peak season.

Until then, I will hope for the best and miss them loads until the rest of our furry family are home with us.