Any time you move with an animal across a border, state or international, it’s important that you get a check up before you start the journey, and obtain all of the necessary documents and vaccinations. Generally, you want to get this done about a week before the trip begins.
Tailer went to the vet last week to get his check-up, and getting there involved spending a little travel time in his cat carrier. He’s had the past two months to get used to it, something that Dr. Barchas recommended in my interview with him. This is him on the way there:
And when he got to the vet, his doctor gave him the once-over and checked him out:
And then she signed his papers and stamped them, giving him a clean bill of health. Right on, Tailer!
She then gave us a calming spray to use on and in his carrier, something that will hopefully help him to relax in his cozy little world for the duration of the trip. I totally like the idea of that and am thinking of dousing my body in the spray as well.
And that was that and he got to go home. When the car made it to the last stretch of the dirt road that leads to the house, Tailer got to get out and check things out:
He’s a pretty good co-pilot, but I wouldn’t trust him behind the wheel.
We spent this afternoon out in the forest, picking mushrooms. Tailer usually likes to come along for these excursions, and today he was along for the stroll. Seeing him out there, though, reminded me of the fact that one of the things that I am still worried about is that he’ll be leaving a forest life and entering a city one, and, as Dr. Barchas suggested, he’ll basically be becoming an indoor cat. It will obviously be a tough adjustment for him, even if for the past year and a half or so he has been sleeping most of his days away on the sofa or in bed… in the house.
Nonetheless, I have wrestled with this over and over again, feeling guilty for the fact that he’ll be making a life adjustment for my sake. And as much as I try to tap dance around it, I can’t–that’s pretty much the deal. The truth of the matter is that my life has changed–I am no longer living in the middle of the Swedish forest–and I am back in the states, back in San Francisco. And as any pet lover will tell you, walking away from a furry little friend is often a nearly impossible thing to do. Call me crazy or call me a jerk–heck, call me a crazy jerk–walking away from Tailer is just not in the plans for me right now. So, San Francisco, here we come.
Plus, if he gets through this trip without too much trouble, he’ll be coming back here with me in June to celebrate midsummer.
Sure, why not?
So tomorrow we’ll head to Stockholm, a car ride that accounts for about four hours of the (door-to-door) 20-22 hour trip. Thankfully, he and I are staying in Stockholm tomorrow night before we get up at the crack of dawn and head to the airport on Tuesday. From that point, it’s just a hop, skip and a (6,500 mile) jump home.
Seriously.
Leaving you with a few pix from today’s last mushroom-picking excursion–
Check back tomorrow for more!
Hey, Tailer! I can give yoo drivin’ lessuns so Snuzzy will let yoo take the weel! I’m a vary good driver. I think it wood be fun to drive on all the San Fransisko hills!
retweeting @Snuzzy – @TailR’s trip from Sweden to SF, Part 3: http://is.gd/3XjE Brought to you by 5am and the makers of jetlag.
Hi, Tailer–
You are a very beautiful kitty. We understand your name after looking at some of your pictures. Your tail is magnificent! We are very proud of our tails. Afghan Hound tails are like giant question marks with long fringe. Mom worries about them around doors as our tails are far away from our brains and often we do not pay attention to what is going on back there.
Tell your dad not to feel guilty about moving you, because you will find many interesting things to do in your new home and things to look at outside of your windows. Pigeons and other birds are very fascinating. You can even get one of those harness thingies and go for a park walk like a doggie. You can also go for a nice car ride over that giant bridge.
Our 4 kitties have many toys and giant towers covered with carpet to climb into and take a nap. They also like large paper shopping bags and delivering the mail to weird places in the house. Har! We are sure you will have a fun time in your new home.
Wooof, howl and love,
Greta Garbo and Audrey Hepburn
Tailer,
yoo are so purrty, i feel fur yoo and yer dad. that is a furry long flight to git here and like yer dad, i wood not leaf yoo behind to live wifout yoo, my hart wood break.
It is great for your Mom and I to see those pictures of Tailer in the deep forest of Sweden again. In our visits Tailer made us feel most welcome and the highlights were the walks to the mailbox and lake accompanied by our host cat….. The interview with the vet about the adapting of Tailer from a rural to urban environment was a relief to the both us……Looking forward to more adventures in the life our favorite little guy.
Bob and Birgitta
This is a note from Örby Sweden and Ben.
Last night we had a nice dinner and talking about Tailer how is “Utvandrar” to “amerikat” like Wilhelm Moberg wrote about. Then 100 years ago it took months for the folks back home to get any news from “amerikat”. Tailers departure is an epic movie clip. Love it.
Take care Anders and Tailer
from Big Ben
There is some really nice photos there-painting & setting the scene of contrast from green woods to city concrete,
Tailer is a magnificently beautiful cat. He seems to be taking everything is stride.
I wouldn’t be able to leave Tailer either. He is ADORABLY BEAUTIFUL!! I love his tail as well and he seems like he’s pretty healthy. He looks like he never missed a meal. (laughs)