01-07-2024, 04:01 PM
Good afternoon from a grey gusty afternoon in the Bay - but at least it’s not raining
Reading your posts about shifting with animals Mica took me back down memory lane - we took our staffi dog and Manx cat with us to Oz. it was a logistical nightmare but we started planning early and had all our ducks in a row - we thought .We chose a well renowned animal transporter with plenty of references from a vet and ex customers - we were to take them up the day before we flew out - they would stay with her in her establishment and be taken to the airport in the fanciest crates money could buy as we were very worried about them flying .Night before plan was to kick into gear she called and said we would have to meet her at the airport just before we flew .The cat had both our nerves on edge as he complained long and loudly - the dog who normally slept wherever we went in the car kept wanting to hop onto my husbands knee .We duly arrived the dogs crate was made of thin packing wood instead of a big plastic crate and the cats crate that had all the documentation attached to it was smaller than ours .We had a hell of a job stuffing him in it and I was terrified he would run free but we had no option but to fly that day.She went bankrupt that day .We arrived in Sydney took ages to find MAF and were met by a vet - the dog was bleeding - the crate had wire sticking out and every time the poor little buggar moved in the crate it dug into him .They eventually cleared him as it was just surface so of we went - the cat howling the dog bleeding and peak hour Sydney traffic - my son had programmed a satnav to get us out and on our way to Bathurst which was 2.5 hours - of course the old boy wouldn’t listen to the satnav directions and we got horribly lost - cats still howling - finally after a blazing row we stopped called our grandaughter told her where we were - actually heading in entirely the wrong direction - we headed off again him being directed by my grandaughter - we were still not speaking .About 9.30pm we saw a roadhouse -
As soon as we opened the door I knew we were in for a treat - the entire family came out we must have been the first customers for a very long time but I was desperate for a coffee - I ordered a cheese and onion toasted sandwich - the old boy ordered an apple pie and cream plus 2 coffees which arrived first -condensed milk and coffee essence which I actually enjoyed - my toastie came out next two slices of toast with raw onions and cheese - the apple pie I think tinned apple with a slice of bread on top - we couldn’t help but laugh it was such a perfect end to a very tumultuous day .We subsequently went back and had a look at the place in the daylight - wow ! .We eventually arrived in Bathurst - our furniture was already there so the cat leapt straight onto his favourite chair - we were able to let him out straightaway as he had to be contained over there and we had set up runs in the backyard - the dog never missed a beat -we were across the road from the dog park he loved Bathurst - unfortunately my Bob cat didn’t make it home again .Not that I am ever likely to but would never fly animals again must be terrifying for them
Reading your posts about shifting with animals Mica took me back down memory lane - we took our staffi dog and Manx cat with us to Oz. it was a logistical nightmare but we started planning early and had all our ducks in a row - we thought .We chose a well renowned animal transporter with plenty of references from a vet and ex customers - we were to take them up the day before we flew out - they would stay with her in her establishment and be taken to the airport in the fanciest crates money could buy as we were very worried about them flying .Night before plan was to kick into gear she called and said we would have to meet her at the airport just before we flew .The cat had both our nerves on edge as he complained long and loudly - the dog who normally slept wherever we went in the car kept wanting to hop onto my husbands knee .We duly arrived the dogs crate was made of thin packing wood instead of a big plastic crate and the cats crate that had all the documentation attached to it was smaller than ours .We had a hell of a job stuffing him in it and I was terrified he would run free but we had no option but to fly that day.She went bankrupt that day .We arrived in Sydney took ages to find MAF and were met by a vet - the dog was bleeding - the crate had wire sticking out and every time the poor little buggar moved in the crate it dug into him .They eventually cleared him as it was just surface so of we went - the cat howling the dog bleeding and peak hour Sydney traffic - my son had programmed a satnav to get us out and on our way to Bathurst which was 2.5 hours - of course the old boy wouldn’t listen to the satnav directions and we got horribly lost - cats still howling - finally after a blazing row we stopped called our grandaughter told her where we were - actually heading in entirely the wrong direction - we headed off again him being directed by my grandaughter - we were still not speaking .About 9.30pm we saw a roadhouse -
As soon as we opened the door I knew we were in for a treat - the entire family came out we must have been the first customers for a very long time but I was desperate for a coffee - I ordered a cheese and onion toasted sandwich - the old boy ordered an apple pie and cream plus 2 coffees which arrived first -condensed milk and coffee essence which I actually enjoyed - my toastie came out next two slices of toast with raw onions and cheese - the apple pie I think tinned apple with a slice of bread on top - we couldn’t help but laugh it was such a perfect end to a very tumultuous day .We subsequently went back and had a look at the place in the daylight - wow ! .We eventually arrived in Bathurst - our furniture was already there so the cat leapt straight onto his favourite chair - we were able to let him out straightaway as he had to be contained over there and we had set up runs in the backyard - the dog never missed a beat -we were across the road from the dog park he loved Bathurst - unfortunately my Bob cat didn’t make it home again .Not that I am ever likely to but would never fly animals again must be terrifying for them