Following is the precursor to the cats on a plane - part 2 on the blog.  Long story short, I wanted to post this first but my PC got infected with horrible hard drive eating viruses and I couldn't access this (an email I sent to friends pre-blog) and i was too lazy to rewrite...but techno genius/husband extracted it today from my mutant ex-computer.  So there you have it.  If you care.  This sort of chronicles our journey from NC to Texas - our move, which took place mid-April

Here is an update on our moving plans, despite the fact that you did not ask for said update. Sorry.

The previous plan was that the boys and I would fly from N.C. to Dallas on Wednesday and John, kitty & tilly would fly down on Thursday (Kitty, as on board with John, carry on, style baggage -picture John ala Paris Hilton) and Tilly below deck in a crate. This plan already made me nervous for way too many reasons to go into – but let’s stop here and mention that JOHN IS VERY ALLERGIC TO CATS… But that is not all my friends, no that is not all. 

He also doesn’t do well with unplanned for problems in the schedule…such as might be caused by a dog and its crate not meeting regulations and requirements and what not and oh, let’s say not being allowed on the flight because of it…

But, dear husband assures me that it is all taken care of…the animal stuff that is….well, stupidly, I assume that means that said husband understands all FAA as well as all USDA regulations as WELL AS American Airlines own brand of rules for FLYING WITH A PET. NOW HERE WE MUST PAUSE AND REVIEW THE OLD ADAGE ABOUT ASSUMPTIONS. C’mon, say it with me…”Assume and you make an ass out of “u” and “me.”

Well here I am:

My little brain kicked in today and said, “may-be you should check out the pet stuff” and even though I am typically inclined to ignore Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder – I heeded advice today, and looked into details.

And what to my wondering eye did I spy?

But a bunch of new info that made me cry.

You see, I’ve been to Petco, Petsmart, PetDen – Petfart…about 30 times in the past week – trying to find the HOLY GRAIL of pet carriers to meet the specifications of the airlines….for cat and dog. You can’t believe it…it is a game that cannot be won. I seriously think I will see Ashton Kutcher hiding behind the kibble bar ready to spring out and tell me, I’ve been punk’d. If I see Demi, I am going to punch her. It so sucks. Today we brought home the x-tra large crate which fits every nonsense rule for our smallish dog….must be able to stand – lift head turn around, drink water and paint a portrait of a sunset in Miami. She can freaking turn tricks in this crate it is so big. Happy am I that American Airlines will appreciate the love and concern I have for my dog. UNTIL I REVISIT the American Airline website for the umpteenth time and read the fine print…..MD-80’s (the lovely craft and only craft flying from RDU to DFW) can’t accept the xtra large trick turning required crates - though they would never put it that simply, trust me—— so it won’t work and in fact the next down size model won’t work either – at which point I would be cramming her into a hamster sized cage and they would accuse me of harvesting veal…so they wouldn’t allow it. Shit.

So NOW – boys and I are taking the cat –who is overweight and so her little “squishy under the chair in front of you kennel” is a “bit” bigger than regs……and John is renting a car and driving the dog….and I know you all are just like, “AWWW, isn’t he the best? But really? I am dealing with roaring untamed outdoor cat who is questionable about being allowed on, a child with fatal nut allergy in the 1^st class section where a hot nut compote is served first thing, 3 children and a husband that is going to be a BEAR once he hits town. 

Texas – here we come.