Any updates on Ally Cat's travel plans?

[Scooter's Mom]

I am so hoping that there is good news here... and that Ally will be traveling soon to her new home in the USA.

[jennielynn1970]

This is the last thing I've gotten from Julie... it was from March 20th:

Ann should be dropping me an email today with the flight details, as the export permit has been sorted out at last, and it is only valid for a week once it's been issued. At least if Ann has both sets of details she can just use the correct one based on the date Ally will be arriving.

I can't believe I won't be able to say goodbye to my baby in person, it's breaking my heart BUT at least I will be able to stay in touch with her on PT!

I'm hoping to hear something more soon, because if the export permit is only good for 1 week, that leaves practically NO time at this date!!! :eek:

[Scooter's Mom]

I've got my fingers crossed!!
Is Ann the friend in Bahrain?

[jennielynn1970]

Yup, Ann is in Bahrain.

[Freedom]

I was thinking about Ally last night. Poor girl have been alone in the house for TOO long (I know, someone is visiting her daily, but it isn't the same.) She will likely need some transition time!

[catmandu]

The Pet Angels Will Be With Ally Every Step Of The Way And He Could Not Be In Better Paws!!

[emily_the_spoiled]

Well depending on what day she arrives into Dulles she may get some time with my furry paw gang... Once I get the details about the arrival time I am picking her up from the airport and then on the weekend we will be meeting up with Jenn_librarian to make the "hand off".

[jennielynn1970]

Well depending on what day she arrives into Dulles she may get some time with my furry paw gang... Once I get the details about the arrival time I am picking her up from the airport and then on the weekend we will be meeting up with Jenn_librarian to make the "hand off".

Have you heard anything from Julie??

I know on Saturday I'm picking up some fosters in Reading, which is about an hour away from me. Sunday will probably be going up to my mom and dad's place. My dad just had a stroke last night :( and I worry about him so much. It was a small one, but still, with everything else that he's been dealing with, this is one thing he didn't need.

[jenluckenbach]

Just hanging around waiting for some info.

[emily_the_spoiled]

Sorry, I haven't heard anything more from Julie. I will let you know when I find out something.

P.S. I hope your father will be okay

[jennielynn1970]

Gosh I feel so bad for Julie and her family! :( I said we can wait and figure out where Ally needs to be shipped to if Julie and family move to where it's cat friendly, where ever that might be. :confused: All we can do is wait and see what happens. I actually think it's a blessing in disguise because they get OUT of Nigeria, which is a good thing.


I'm really sorry I haven't finalised Ally's flight details yet. On Friday we found out that the company we moved here to work for is closing down. All the other staff are gone by the end of this week. Warren will be kept on for around another month to help wind things up.

I just can't believe that so much has gone wrong in such a short space of time.....I hope our luck will start to change soon. I've just been spending every second when I'm not looking after Cali on job sites, and sending out CVs to everyone we know. We are looking all over - here, back in the Middle East, South Africa, UK, OZ and NZ....

IF the company pays out the settlement they have promised, and pays for 1-way tickets either back to SA or to Bahrain, we have about 6 weeks to find another job before we run out of $$$. I am sure we will find something - I just hope it's an "okay" salary and at least decent medical cover.

I will send another mail to Ann this evening and update ASAP re Ally.

Oh well, I guess on the bright side it can't get any worse!

(((HUGS)))

Julie

[emily_the_spoiled]

Depending on where they move maybe we can use the money to send Connor back and Julie will have her furry family together again ...

[jennielynn1970]

Oh! That's a good idea too!

[gini]

Do we have any update on this whole situation?

I really am worried about Ally!!!

[jenluckenbach]

I am worried about the WHOLE family!!!! :(

[gini]

I am worried about the WHOLE family!!!! :(

Oh, of course, I agree. It is just that little Ally can't talk.................and she is at the mercy of her caregiver.

[jenluckenbach]

ell the one thing I know is that Julie's son was going to the house in Bahrain as a "vacation" I believe at the end of March. This would mean Ally would not have been alone. But with their problem about moving, who knows if this plan really went forward.

[jennielynn1970]

I haven't heard a darn thing either... Cheryl was just asking me the same thing, lol.

I honestly am worried about their safety in Nigeria. It's just not a safe place to be. I think the last time I heard from Julie was 2+ weeks ago!! :eek: I wish I knew that they were all ok, and what is happening. I feel so bad for the situation her husband's company has them in. I can't believe that they would send them there, and then close up shop in less than 6 months. Between that, and then the money being stolen, and what wasn't stolen being counterfeited, it just has "DANGER" or "WARNING" written all over it!

[jennielynn1970]

Some info and pics of Lagos... This was a photo journal by a person who traveled there. Makoko is an area outside of Lagos, it's the slum area.

Makoko slums and sawmills. Lagos, Nigeria
Makoko slum is seldom visited by anyone from outside. It is dangerous to go in without guides, and volatile. While I was there, there was a major fight between youths over a canoe. Machetes were drawn, there was a lot of shouting but only one man was slightly hurt, cut on the arm. A few youths were later arrested outside the slum. Police seldom if ever go into the slum, which polices itself, defends itself from outsiders and keeps to itself.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/jv17b.jpg

Slums in Makoko
Every house has a canoe. The large ones go out to sea with nets. Smaller ones are used for inshore work. The fish are returned to Makoko where they are smoked
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/housesonwater.jpg

Some scenes of Lagos...
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/lagos_life.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/lagosbus.jpg

A woman with food in a boat in Makoko
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/womaninboatjpg.jpg

About 25,000 people are thought to live on the water, but no-one really knows. The only real economic activity is fishing and smoking the fish. Some people dig for building sand and process salt.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/westlago.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/evictedhouses.jpg
Evicted houses in Badia West, Lagos, Nigeria

Makoko
Many of the houses and canoes are 40 years old or more. You can tell because they are made of huge planks or whole tree trcnks the size of which you would never get today because all Nigeria's big trees have been cut down. Some people say that there was a colony living on the water at Makoko in the 18th century. But old British government documents do not refer to slum houses in the area.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/housesandcanoes.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/makokolagos.jpg
Makoko
There are no doctors or health clinics. The nearest hospital is 5km away from most people. The vast majority of people use traditional docters. Malaria is very common, and TB.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/doctorsclinics.jpg

[jennielynn1970]

I'm hoping she's in this area....
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/Ikoyi_Bay_Lagos.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/lagos-report-496-5.jpg

From the guy who took some pics...
Being there on business meant I would have a all expence paid trip to a country few tourist would ever dream of going to. (I would not dare to go as a tourist...) Upon Arrival in Lagos airport we get our first experience of what this country is all about. Although the first passport and visa check was easy to pass, that could not be said about the second obstacle: bagage claim... While standing there for two hours, waiting for our suitcases we had two complete powerfailures (everything went dark, even controltowers etc). Finaly we got out of the airport, on to our coach which would bring us to Eko. We were escorted by two police cars with heavily armed men inside. On our way to our hotel we saw the usual: burned out cars, travel accidents, endless missery as we passed miles of slums only the middle class locals were able to live in.

Eko Hotel, one of only two advisable although not recommendable hotels in this city. (The other one, the Sheraton, being closer to the airport and not so nicely located near a beach.) Eko has all things you would expect from a good hotel, but has lots of African flavours too. (like the bladdering paint on the walls, and the coca cola colored drinking water running from the tabs)


Gotta say, this does not make me want to visit Lagos anytime soon!!

[emily_the_spoiled]

Over the years I have known a few people who spent some time in Nigeria (they worked in O&G). Usually there is a company compound (like Julie has) and they very seldom go outside the gates without security. Unfortunately it is not a safe place for people, especially if you are perceived to have money or access to money.

I also sent Julie and email yesterday but I haven't heard anything back from her yet. If I do, I will make sure to keep everyone posted.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Gotta say, this does not make me want to visit Lagos anytime soon!!

:eek:

WHY are they there?? :confused:

Who do they work for - what do they DO there?

Certainly wish them the Best - and a Rapid change of station!
;)

/s/ Phred

[emily_the_spoiled]

Well I can answer some of Phred's questions ...

WHY are they there??
They are in Lagos because Julie's husband, Warren, was transferred there last year.

Who do they work for - what do they DO there?
I am not sure who her husband works for, but I do know that he works with the Oil and Gas companies to design and implement computer systems. In the past he worked for SUN systems, so it is obviously the big systems he works on.

[jennielynn1970]

They were also given notice a few weeks ago that the company was shutting down in that country. Very last minute. They pulled all their employees out and were leaving Warren there to wrap up the loose ends, and they are supposed to be out of there by the end of the month. What is happening now, I have no idea. They were guaranteed one way tickets to either South Africa or back to Bahrain. Not sure what their decision will be, because I think they were looking into going elsewhere. I know they want to go to Australia in the long run, but don't know if they will get there now or not.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Warren works with the Oil and Gas companies to design and implement computer systems.

Maybe it's time to trade in the frontier and move back to civilization!
They have 'puters in civilized countries, now.

Austrailia sonds pretty nice to me!
;)

/s/ Phred

[emily_the_spoiled]

I also suggested Canada (I am a little partial :D ). But both Canada and Australia will take time to get the visa's in order, so I think they will stay in the Middle East for a little while longer.

[jennielynn1970]

That and I know they need to find the funding to move to either place.

[jenluckenbach]

I got an email from Julie. Poor girl, doesn't know if she is coming or going. :( How sad. :(

She asks for an opinion:

It looks like they will end up at the house in Bahrain that is stille theirs for a few months yet, just until a new job can be secured for hubby. They need to be out of the place in Lagos by April 30th. :eek:

The problem is, WHERE will they end up living? Will Ally (and Connor) be able to come with them? Will it be cat-friendly? And if it is Australia or New Zealand then the 6 month "rabies" quarrentine would be required.

She asks, should I send Ally off to Jennie, then when the family is settled both cats can ship off together to be reunited with their family? This would work better IF they need quarentine, as that can be accomplished here (like when Sweet Annie went to England). If she kept Ally with her, and they moved to NZ, Ally would have to spend the quarrentine alone in a cattery. :(

And all this worry on top of WHERE to live? Where will the next pay check come from? Where will he son be able to finish his last year in school?

Please send many thoughts and prayers to Julie's family. They are going to need it.

[Craftlady]

I would think in his field finding a job should not be a problem.
My thoughts/advise on Ally is send her to Jenn. #1 we know she will be safe
#2 She can stay there for as long as needed. #3 If they have to move around allot they wont have to worry about animals.
It appears that things are very much in termoil with them and not knowing what the immediate or extended future is going to be at least they would have peace of mind that Ally and Conner were taken care of for as long as necessary here in the states.
The best thing is funds are there to send Ally to the states.

Thats my 2 cents :)

[Biscuit's Mom]

I agree 100% with Craftlady.

[catlover4ever]

I agree also, send Ally to Jenn and then that is one less thing to worry about.

[gini]

I really have to agree that sending Ally to Jenn would be the best solution for Ally right now.

Julie has her husband and daughter to worry about as well as her son. It sounds as though the whole house will be in a turmoil anyway with all of the pressures that they have.

At least Ally could settle down - get good care and feel secure. It certainly would take another problem off of Julie's already very full plate.

My heart does go out to them - what a turn of events!!!

[Freedom]

Yup, let's get Ally settled. Poor thing has been almost alone in the house for several months now.

[phesina]

I agree COMPLETELY with Craftlady and those following.. Let Ally come to Jenn where she will be safe and in a stable environment and well looked after, until the day finally that Julie and her family have a secure, permanent home, whenever that may be, which could be quite a while (if ever), from the way things sound so far.

That's my vote, for what it's worth!

Pat

[Scooter's Mom]

I agree, Ally needs to be in a place that's 'settled' for now. That way Julie and her family can do whatever they have to and know without any doubt their babies are taken care of and they just have to worry about their 2 legged family members.

Prayers are also going up for their family. It's a terrible situation to be in.

[Taz_Zoee]

I also agree with everyone else. Julie needs to focus on her family right now, although I know she would love to cuddle with Ally a bit. It would be best for all involved. The arrangements have already been made (basically) so it's one less thing she will need to worry about in the long run.

Julie and her family will be in my thoughts as well.

[emily_the_spoiled]

Well I just heard from Julie and here is part of her email:

No news yet re jobs - have sent out TONS of CV's and applied online for loads of jobs too - but no response yet.

We would prefer to find something in the Middle East, at least until our visa for New Zealand comes through, but most of the hiring there is done by word-of-mouth, so Warren has been emailing and phoning all his contacts there, to let them now he is looking.

My internet access is once again a problem (I have jumped on a neighbor's wireless at the moment), as the company hasn't paid our connection so it has been shut off. We need to be out of the company accomodation by the 30th, and our medical cover etc all expires then too...so things are quite stressful at the moment. We will probably return to Bahrain so Warren can job-hunt and Cam can finish his exams (he is in the last year of high school, so this is messing up his year BIG time!!). We can survive for max 2 months there, then we will need to return to SA and stay with family whilst we look for jobs - I just hope it does not come down to that!

Right now they are planning on going back to Bahrain, so I think that leaving Ally there (for the time being) might be a good thing. Julie may need the cuddles now more than ever.