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Does it have to be YOU at the airport to help Coda change flights? If he is flying into Calgary we have PT members living there and I have friends there. If someone else can be at the airport to authorize the switch to a plane for Saskatoon, that might take care of the Canadian end of the transport. Then we just have to figure out something for Iowa.
That part I don't know about but I can look into it. I think I really like the idea of checking into flight attendants that might move him for me. As much as I love him, I can't help but fear losing him forever by trying to get him up here. The Operation Roger is a great idea, but there is no guarantee of him arriving safely. And I really hope that he will be allowed to ride in a plane cabin....he has put on alot of weight since I left him with mom. He HAD a healthy diet of steamed veggies, real meat and fruits when he was with me, now it's just straight cat food. He also is not getting his daily tea. I of course checked with the vet to make sure his eating habits were ok, I think they were shocked that he loves fruits (especially bananas), but said it was a very good diet. He is the only cat I have ever allowed to eat from my plate while i'm eating. And he always went for my veggies first. As for my tea, he insisted on drinking from my glass BEFORE I did. How spoiled is that?!?! Thank you all sooo much for your support and suggestions. I am feeling much less stressed about it now that I know there just MIGHT be a way to get him here.
I wouldn't worry to much about putting in cargo (especially if you do it during the summer). I have picked up two cats at Dulles International airport that came over from Bahrain (in the Middle East). They both had a layover in London and had to change planes, but their biggest issue was jet lag and getting used to colder climates.
Especially if it is a direct flight to Calgary you should not have any problems with it.
If we keep working on this I am sure we can figure out a way to get Coda up to Saskatoon.
My other real problem is I have to do this a cheaply as possible. I am up here on a Visitor's Visa (meaning I cannot work). As I am unable to work, I have very limited funds. My man works full time, but is a few years from being out of debt. I'm really hoping to get this done for under $250.00 which I'm sure between my mother and myself we could pull together. My comment on worrying about his safe arrival was pointed toward Operation Roger, which is a great idea, but it states clearly on their website that you cannot hold anyone resposible if the pet is injured or lost during transport.
I think that we can manage this for under $250. Right now we just need to figure out the logistics and then we can investigate price.
Before we go any further, you should find out about whether YOU have to be the person in Calgary or can you have someone else sign for Coda. (I am assuming it is Calgary and not Edmonton that the plane would fly into.)
When I made the calls, before I left Iowa for here, my two departure airports for the cargo planes was Chicago and Omaha both 3 hour+ drives from Ottumwa, the closet landings for those cargo flights were Edmonton and Winnipeg both 8 hour+ drives from Saskatoon. I will have to look into whether it has to be ME that transfers him from that plane or not.
I posted an add at Craigs List, but they flagged it and took it down, although I'm not sure why. I've reposted the ad in a different area. Not really sure what area to post in for this. I'll have to make calls to the airlines tomorrow to find out about who has to be at the airport to transfer him from plane to plane.
I also have a number of friends in Edmonton, so if the plane has to land there, I can ask one of them to help us.
If the airline will let someone else sign for Coda in Edmonton, then we might be able to arrange sometime of transport on the Iowa end.
I live close enough to the Calgary airport I could be of help.
I have plans to drive to Saskatoon (7 hrs) but not til spring...no date is nailed in stone yet. But depending on how things work out at the Iowa end, I could plan my trip around that. I'd be going for a 'long' weekend, so four days.
I'd take a 'water' break for Coda. Do you know if he likes or hates cars? I would use one of my own kitty carriers, cleaned out properly (they're only used 1 - 2 times a year).
Let me know.
Candace
The ad I posted on Craigs List got a reply! There is someone driving to within 3 hours of here! AND the guy is coming from within an hour of my mother's!! My fiancee's x-brother in law has offered to drive me to Regina to pick him up. I am hoping and praying that this works out. If it does I could be holding my spoiled baby by the 16th of March!! Thank you ALL for your wonderful advice and offers to help. Now I just need prayers that it will all fall together.
Prayers and fingers crossed!!! Do keep us posted! :D
I just read the whole story!! Wow, I am crossing my fingers for Coday and you!! You will be reunited, yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!:love:
I have been on the phone with the guy who is helping set this all up. The young man who will be driving up is a student from Canada studying in the Iowa. His study visa is about to expire, so he must return to Canada. Could this have happened at a better time? I am praying that fate is finally smiling on me. And I hope that Coda is as happy to see me as I will be to see him, it has, after all been almost 9 months since I last saw him.
Oh, this is just so nice and heart-warming!
I've ALWAYS had cats, but I've NEVER had this kind of situation. Now that Coda will be coming up here, how should I go about the introduction of him and Heidi? Usually when introducing a new cat into my house, I make sure my original cats know they are not being replaced. In this case, they will both feel they are the original cat! I've been away from Coda for 9 months, but during that 9 months Heidi has been only cat. She has been sleeping in the spot that has always been Coda's spot (curled right up against my left side).