Leaving on a jet plane

lolandahab · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:33 pm

Well, I've started the Foreign Service Selection process, so basically long enough to look good for the selection committee. I guess that would be a year. But really...I'm not here to torture myself.
Plus I just found a coworker's resume online and none of it coincides with what he's been telling us his work experience has been. He's completely off his rocker and I'm getting anxious about working with someone like that.

point is 1 day at a time.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

I hope you're not going to have to deal with this person for an entire year! Start counting down the days .........

lolandahab · **Posted:** Sat Dec 12, 2015 8:30 pm

Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again. (hopefully never)
I put in my walking papers, booked my airline ticket, and I'm taking Lola (the dog) and Dahab (former Bengal) to the vet tomorrow to get their certificates of good health and get their endorsement from the Vet Directorate here in Erbil, Iraq.

Bye-bye Iraq! Hello US! and then in 2 more months, hello Shanghai!

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

You are quite the world traveler and your babies will be as well. Travel safely!

lolandahab · **Posted:** Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:05 am

Update: According to Chinese customs regulations, they only allow in 1 pet per passport. As I have a dog and cat, this was not a feasible option. (And there were only 3 airlines where I could bring my cat on as excess baggage.)
So, I've opted instead to start grad school in Australia (so I could start in July).
My dog and cat are currently being watched by a friend from high school who has 3 dogs, 4 cats and 2 foster kittens. (which really makes me happy because then my Lola and Dahab will get socialized!) I've already done their rabies titers tests. Now we wait until October to apply for their import permit.
I've been having ghost impressions of Lola and Dahab sleeping with me in be. :(
October can't get here soon enough!!!!!!

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Love that you came back and updated us! Australia -- quite a long ways away! But at least happy you can have both of your babies with you. October is just two months away at this point. Time will fly! Good luck.

Fenstar · **Posted:** Fri Aug 05, 2016 3:14 am

ooh, where in Australia are you going to settle?

lolandahab · **Posted:** Sat Aug 06, 2016 4:20 am

Amaroo, near Canberra.
I'm getting my Master's in International Relations at ANU. I started classes and jumped into working straight away so that I can to get my lovies over here. (I even tried calling a no-kill pet shelter before I left and I was such a disastrous mess that I decided that I'd rather have them with me and be in huge, massive debt than to be without them.)

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Aww, you don't want to lose your babies!!! It's not their fault you decided to move to Australia. They have been world travelers with you. So happy you've decided to allow them to join you. Good luck with your studies.

Fenstar · **Posted:** Wed Aug 24, 2016 6:32 am

lolandahab · **Posted:** Mon Sep 05, 2016 2:55 pm

Thank you everyone for being so nice to me.
Really! Everyone here is SOOOOOOOOOO nice. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone.
I applied for Lola and Dahab's import permit last week. We just have to pay for it and reserve their space in quarantine. 2 more visits to the vet and then I'll get to see them again!!!!!!
I've been missing them so much!

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Really appreciate all the updates!!!! Sounds like you will be reunited soon with your babies. Hope all is going well and you're loving your new country and home.

lolandahab · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2016 1:42 pm

Well here's a fun update: The vet in the US has found a lump in my cat's abdomen. This was the text I woke up to on Friday morning. Then his neutrophil count is drastically high and his liver is shutting down. That was the text I woke up to Saturday. NOW, he's getting a feeding tube put in and an IV.
If I were with him, I would be able to take care of him. I feel so miserable about the whole situation.
I had to tell the pet-sitter to try and let's see if he'll improve with the feeding tube but I don't want him to suffer needlessly.
He's only 8 years old. It's not even fair that I'm in Amaroo and he's in Houston.

Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

Oh I'm so sorry he's gotten sick. I hope they can get him well :sad:

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Oh, this is so very sad. I am so, so sorry to hear this. I know you feel helpless. You want to be there with him. It is not uncommon for illnesses to pop up when an owner leaves and the cats feels that loneliness and abandonment. Even if he improves with the feeding tube, it will be difficult for him to fly where you are -- that's a very long trek for him as he would still require attention. I know this is not what you need at this point when you are just starting your life in a new country. Hugs and Prayers go out to you. Hope he improves. I am so very sorry.

Leaving on a jet plane

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