Murray in the sky . . . at all

As those of you with Facebook accounts now know, Murray did not get on the plane bound for Scotland with Chris, Jesse's mom. Here's what happened.

By the time Jesse and I left, Murray had been microchipped, vaccinated, blood-tested and documented -- more so than any child, certainly -- as per the official UK Pet Transport Scheme. We believed that all we needed was the correct proof of these treatments, plus a last-minute flea treatment and health certificate. Piece of cake.

Twenty-four hours before the flight, Chris took Murray to the clinic to get the final treatment and certificate. The vet refused to provide the certificate without USDA approval -- something that was never mentioned on the UK Pet Transfer Scheme website. It never occurred to us that there would be rules for taking Murray out of the US.

Cut to 12:00 am, Scotland. Jesse's on the phone with VCA Animal Hospital in Salem, talking the vet into hand-carrying a copy of the original documentation to the USDA office before 4:30 pm so that the USDA can authoritatively stamp it. She's willing, and even pays the $100+ fee out of her own picket. I'm on Skype trying to find someone willing to pick up the stamped documents from VCA and drive two hours south to Eugene to hand them off to Chris, who leaves at 7:00 am (US time). We also secure this poor soul.

So, astonishingly, all of this happens. I Facebook that we're in the clear and settle down to wait for my dog.

Scene: noon on Friday UK time, 7 am West Coast. Chris arrives at the airport to find that Delta has placed a surprise embargo on transporting dogs to the UK. While airlines will text, email and call you if your flight time changes by two minutes, they apparently cannot be bothered to let you know that the expensive ticket you purchased for your pet is no longer valid.

There's nothing Chris can do, of course, except get on the plane. Murray goes back to Cave Junction.

Kurstin dissolves into hysterics. For the next three days.

Within the next two days, of course, Jesse hired a company that specializes in transporting dogs. It's expensive, but seems to be the only way to be absolutely certain he'll get here safely. Naturally, though, that already has a hitch. Part of the documents were completed in black ink. They need to be in blue ink. And they were completed for a dog traveling with a companion. He's now going by himself, and so needs updated documents.

His arrival, even through with the help of a very competent professional, has already been pushed back yet another week. Keep your fingers crossed, my friends, that he's here safely by the end of the month. I'd hate for St Andrews to have to find a new Director of Annual Giving.