Air Pig

Smile Pig!
Have you ever flown a dear pet across the country without going along for the ride? If not, let me tell you, it's a real TREAT! If you are flying with the animal and if the said animal can fit on your lap or under a seat, no real problem. Locate one of those soft, designer, fabric carrying cases and after throwing them about $100 you're home free. Your animal is, too. Have a nice flight! But if the said animal be a cat, dog, or other furry creature and it's flying alone-- the plot thickens.
Friday morning we put Pig on a United Airlines flight headed to her new home in Austin. ALONE. I must admit after having her in our house and in my lap for the last 2 months, it wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done in my life. Ok, let me be fair here, Elenka did most of the heavy lifting. Yelena bought the ticket ($295), and sent Elenka all of the background research on what we needed to do to get Piggie to 'fly the friendly skies'. She had to visit the vet and be checked out within 10 days of the flight. Form signed by vet ($). Done. She had to be in a hard carrying case that had food and water dishes attached to the front, a pee pad below, extra food attached to the top, arrows on the container pointing which way was up, the animal's name clearly written, the case had to be large enough so that the critter could turn around easily and when standing with ears not touch the top (we went and bought a larger one $), the locking mechanism in the front had to be metal not plastic, the front of the case had to be secured with 'removeable' cable ties (hard to find) the kind that could be taken apart and resecured and on and on. Oh yeah, we had to drill extra holes for the plastic locks. Done. Done. Done. etc. There were a few others specifications, but my headache now is preventing me from recalling them at this point. Elenka is a stickler for 'playing by the rules'. Good thing too. The Pigster is in Austin and loving it. If it was left up to me alone, our cute little Pig would probably still be in Maine, Yelena would be out 300 bucks, and I'd be in 'airport jail' somewhere waiting to be bailed out. Now, if we were flying her out of the country... don't even ask. Ever heard of a kitty passport? Don't laugh. Sheeeeesh!
This is Pig just before her flight.
Don't be fooled.
That's not a pathetic look on her face.
She's being thoroughly entertained by customers in line getting tickets.
"What's the kitty's name?"
"Where's the kitty going?"
"She looks just like my Chester."
Love you Piggie.
Miss you too.

*Elenka's photo today.