Let me start by once again taking my hat off to people who edit video and upload stuff to YouTube and the like every day–it takes time and patience, something that I don’t always have. It took me FUREVER to sort through all of the clips that I have, and then pick out the best bits and then string them all together and then yadda yadda yadda. But after much ado about yadda, here is the 6th and final episode of Tailer’s trip to San Francisco from Sweden. I apologize for the fact is over seven minutes long, but it was, in fact, a heck of a long trip…
Whew. That was one long day. If you are unable to view the video in your feed reader, you may watch it here.
Thanks to those of you who have been offering your support and good wishes to Tailer and me. Knowing that there were people and cats out there pawing for us made the trip much more manageable. We both hope that this little glimpse into the transport of a cat from one far away land to another has been helpful and/or entertaining. We’re glad to have had you along for the ride.
If you want to have a look back at the entire series, or share this cat’s voyage from San Francisco to Sweden with a furiend, all of the juicy bits are here.
We will keep you in the loop as the days go on and Tailer gets more and more adjusted. And if we decide to get back in that carrier and hit the road again, we’ll be sure to let you know.
thanks very much–anders
Link: [Cat ster Video]
yeah tailer, yoo did it! did yoo git yer passport stamped?
Hey Honey! Tailer didn’t have to get a passport, just a certificate of good health – and when we got to the airport in SF, they didn’t even ask to see THAT. In fact, they were not concerned with looking at Tailer, just whether or not I had any cat food with me. The little bit that I had, they confiscated and then waved me through. It couldn’t have been easier!
a&t
dey stole yer fuds!!! how der dey!!
Hurray for Anders and Tailer—you did it! It was dicey making that connection and then eternity in the air. My older Afghan Hound does not like the car. I think it makes her car sick. The twenty-minute ride to the vet with any of our four kitties will give you a migraine in advance. It’s hard to steer with the caterwauling “YOUUWLL!!” over and over again. Tailer was a trooper and a very good sport. And so was his dad to patiently go through such an ordeal not to leave his kitty behind. Bravo! I am thankful that God answered our prayers and folded Afghan paws for a safe trip. We agree about the video editing. It’s the most labor-intensive thing you can do on a computer. Shrinking eighteen hours into about seven minutes while jet-lagged is quite incredible. If Greta and Audrey need to take a long trip, they will email Tailer beforehand for advice.
Christine, Greta Garbo & Audrey Hepburn
P.S. Greta and Audrey think Tailer should enter his tail in a beauty contest.
Wow, what a trip. Tailer was a real trooper about it. Any of us would have been complaining all the way home.
When so many folks are moving a short distance, they dump their pets at the shelter. You actually went back to get your cat. You set a great example.
Took me days and days to get the last bit of Tailer’s trip to SF up, but, whoomp, here it is: http://tinyurl.com/56qapd
Took me days and days to get the last bit of Tailer’s trip to SF up, but, whoomp, here it is: http://tinyurl.com/56qapd
Retweeting @Snuzzy: 6th&final episode of Tailer’s trip to SF is up: WE MADE IT! http://is.gd/4fcW Thx 4 the support/comments along the way!
@furielu Thanks for the kind wishes. The final bit is up now: http://is.gd/4fcW It is good to be on solid ground again! ;-)
Psssst… Tailer!!!! DOOD! Yoo need lessins on how to YOOOOWWWWWLLLL! Yoo were way way waaaaay too qwiet!!!! I was hoping to see yer fellow passenjers’ ears bleeding! Maybey I can tooter yoo beefore yoo go bak for Midsommarafton and Midsommardagen.
We are glad you both made the trip safely. We admire your dad, Tailer, for makinig such a long trip just to make sure he got you. We think you will adjust to apartment life just fine. Maybe your dad needs to get you a stroller so he can take you outside safely and you wheel you around.
Thanks for all the kind words, and great advice, Mao! ;-)
One of the things that has come up, in these comments and elsewhere, is that going back to get my cat was a rather rare/unheard of feat. Well, it was a long trip and it wasn’t cheap or convenient, but every second and penny and moment of stress of it was worth it–Tailer has been by my side through the thick and thin for the past few years, and as any dog or cat owner knows, that’s the kind of loyalty that is hard to imagine living without. There never really was any doubt in my mind about going back to get him.
Tailer is doing very well, happy to be checking out a new environment, and a little bit curious about the action in the streets. City life is filled with excitement. He’s learning to live indoors, though I will probably be taking him outside every now and then so that he can get a little paws-eye view of this new world.
Thanks again for your comments and concerns.
ap
wow! that was a cool little 6th episode-well done.
tricky making the connection. he looked really happy to be out of the carrier.
Tailer to SF turned out to be a great little series. so glad he made it safe.
Hi, Anders– We are very happy to hear that Tailer is adjusting to his new home. We’ve had many kitties over the years ranging from scaredy to mellow to total terrorist (http://www.catster.com/cats/651432). Three of ours now are indoors kitties, but our oldest, Billy, goes in and out and pretty much does anything he feels like without causing any probs. (I remember reading that indoor cats have maybe double the life span of in and out cats–who are not as savvy as Billy.) In my experience, it’s tough keeping a cat inside once they’ve been free to roam out of doors. Plus cats are very crafty. They will pretend to be asleep, then when the door is opened a crack: ZOOM! Afghan Hounds are very sneaky, too, but have the disadvantage of being very large and more visible to human radar. So we hope you will keep a close eye on your door as Tailer adjusts to being indoors!
Anders and Tailer, that video is so awesome, and Tailer, you were quite the trooper throughout the whole ordeal! We never would have learned about your experience if we hadn’t have joined Catster, yay for Catster! Out of the three of us, myself, Sam, and my little brother Simon, both flew in to our forever homes from Florida and Georgia, but those were really quick flights compared to yours. Sabrina, she was lucky, Daddy found her in St. Louis so she only had to ride in the car! We hope Tailer doesn’t have to even think about looking at another airplane much less fly on one for a long, long time … hee hee!
Purrr and headbutts to you both,
Sam, and my sissy Sabrina and brother Simon
Anders the love you have for your cat is wonderful. You are a special person. A great big well done to the marvelous Tailer for that incredible journey,(I was fascinated and amazed you could take him on board!)I hope that Tailer takes to his new life,lots of luck and good health to him and big purrs and meeows from Sid(she’s asleep right now……but I’m sure she meant to say that!)
This is one #1 daddy! I went from CA to Spain and it was not documented- thank cats, because it would have just been 2 weeks of a freaked out mama on tape. MOL.
It is tough moving with us kitties, but , hey, we are are family!
Super Kudos to this guy and super kudos to Tailor for being so good about it all!
(from Prentis) I agree Anders that you are now my #1 fur Dad… ever. Mommy never had a Dad for me and if she moves, can we temporarily adopt you?? (looks with sappy gold eyes) I’ll be 21 in April and I think my Mom is the best human friend a fur child can have. She let me watch the videos but of course I yawned and went to sleep. I never want to her to put me thru that. If she does, boy… I am going to yowl louder and longer than all cats combined.
Now, you were a lil too quiet for me too. Please take the offer for the lessons. Be yowl-pared next time around dude. You are a trooper for sure. Far better than I would have been. It would still be smell city in all the cabins, rooms, halls, aisles, etc.
Prentis via his Mom!!
PS – My Mom has a pic of me somewhere in her Blog, just type my name. I’m the love of her life. (shines big kitty grin) I make her boyfriends so jealous of me. That’s what fur kids are supposed to do, ok!!!!!!
Great video, it taught me a lot.
I plan to travel with 3 cats (& 2 other people) in the cabin from New York to Frankfurt. My main concern is getting through security. I guess you were not allowed to film that part? How did this work out with Tayler? Inspite of harness & leash I am afraid a cat might bolt and get away or fight when I put them back in the carrier.
2. Did you give Tayler some water on the plane?
3. Was Tayler frightened during take-off?
4. Were you allowed to remove the carrier from under the seat & put it between your feet on the floor or take it on your lap?
Beautiful cat, impressive tail! Hope you are both doing well. Thank you for the video and any advice you may be able to give.
Isabel
Isabel – Thanks for the great questions. I am in awe of the trip that you are about to make, but think that you’ll manage just fine, especially since you have some help. To answer your questions:
1. You do have to take the cats out of their carriers when you go through security.The first time with Tailer (in Stockholm) I asked for a private room to take him out and hold him, while they took the bag and x-rayed it. That worked out very well, and so i would recommend trying to get there early so that you can do that with your cats. The second time (in Paris) I was running with Tailer to catch my flight, so we did not have time to get a private booth. It was very stressful and Tailer was pretty scared, but it went all right. The thing to remember is that you are the only familiar thing in that moment for your cat. He was scared and nervous, but he was in now way going to leave me.
2. I gave Tailer water on the plane. Did he drink any? I don’t think so. Don’t be alarmed about this. Just make sure that they have plenty of food (wet and dry) and water to choose from when they arrive. Even if you don’t serve wet food to your cats, having it afterwards is a good idea to help them get re-hydrated.
3. Tailer was firghtened during take-off and meowed a bit for the first 20 minutes or so, but then he was resigned to being in his carrier and just sat still. Whether he was able to sleep or not, i don’t really know. I reached in and stroked him and talked to him as often as I could. Thankfully, i was so exhausted from my whirlwind trip that I actually managed to sleep a couple hours on my flight. I took him out twice to change his puppy pads that I had in his carrier. He peed twice – once was i think when we were running through the airport and once was during the 11 hour flight from paris to san francisco.
4.There was no room to move the carrier – the flight was fully booked and I felt a little inconsiderate about picking him up and having him in my lap. If you are with friends (and you will be) or have empty seats around you, i think it is s great thing to do.
Good luck with your flight–I am sure everything will go just fine. If you have any other questions, just let me know.
–anders
Wow, your trip was a cake walk compared to mine. Tailor was a well behaved and quiet boy:)
Cool idea to do the video!
I flew with 2 cats from Chicago to Sweden a few years ago and it was awful!You can check it out at the link below.
http://cordonsissy.diaryland.com/older.html
That didn’t teach me a lesson though. In a couple weeks I’m heading to England with 3 cats. Maybe I’ll make a video this time.
Smocha
Love the posts! It’s so awesome that you documented the entire process to show people what really goes into an international move with your furry family member! I’ve blogged about you and Tailer on our site. Thanks for providing such great information!
Lovely!
This was an amazing series and well done! Thank you so very much – it has alleviated many of my fears regarding an upcoming trip with my two cats. I have been debating whether to check them or take them in the cabin – only because they are so loud when in the carriers. I now see that it should all work out. Also, I am traveling with several changes of plane and was worried about that, but after your mad dash in Paris I know we can handle it. I’ll be sure to post a link to your series wherever I encounter others asking for advice about flying with cats. This is so valuable I’d have paid you if there were a donation option :)
Fantastic blog!! a friend and i are planning a simular trip from Umea Sweden – Paris, then onto England using the euro tunnel (1male and 1 female) in Feb. Our concerns are the size of the carrier and the size on the 10 month old Norwegian Forest cats we are transporting, SAS airlines recommend a sherpa bag 40×25x23cm is this what you used for Tailer? also we are a little unsure about airline paperwork that is required, both cats have the PETS passport issued. We appreciate any advice you could give. Give Tailer a big kiss from us XX