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How Not to ship Cats and "Bob" makes Georgia Howl

It was in 1996 and I was living in Atlanta and had finally convinced my company that I would be much more valuable to them if I was located back in San Francisco, and imagine my surprise, when they agreed and gave me a budget for the relocation.

 I had all the tasks identified, including the selling of my beloved 1963 Buick Riviera, named "Bob" as in Big Old Buick and there are more stories to tell of how "Bob" helped Danny, Kathy and I blow thru Atlanta during the World Series in a manner not seen since W.T. Sherman's attempt of the previous century.

 I had set a fair price and posted several ads.  One guy calls, sounds vaguely interested and wants to come see it with his wife.  We agree on a time.  His car pulls up and I'm standing in the driveway with Bob proudly parked on display behind me.  His wife, bless her sweet Georgian heart, exits the car, gasps and yells to her husband, "Honey!  That's THE one I want!"

 My fair price went immediately off the table as I secured the negotiation high ground and his only remedy was to pull out the cash as a firm believer in "HW, HL" or "Happy Wife, Happy Life."  I hated to see Bob go but I knew he would be much loved remaining here in Georgia.

 Now, my only task remaining was in figuring out how to get the movers in and out without freaking out my 2 cats.  My friend Charlotte in San Francisco calls and offers this amazing deal.  She wants me to ship the cats off early to her via Delta and she will care for them while I finish the move, get settled in new San Francisco digs and then, are ready to take my aged and sweet kitties back.  How could I refuse.  The cats flew with massive Frequent Flyer rewards posted on their carriers and had a well cared for cross country adventure without me.  It was a massive success and I tell you this story so I can relate the next story to you.

 My friends Jim and Martha were residing in Kansas City and were also planning for a return to San Francisco and Martha had 3 cats.  She knew  all about how it worked for me and called Charlotte and asked if she would also do this for Willie, Avoca and Pogonip.  Charlotte, as a cat-less cat lover can't wait to foster three more felines.  Martha sends all the details to Charlotte.

 Danny and Charlotte drive out to SFO on the day of arrival and head over to TWA Air Cargo for the feline flyers.  They walk in and are greeted by the TWA rep.  Danny informs him that they're here to pick up cats that just flew in from Kansas City.  Danny was mystified at this rep's sudden aloofness and his refusal in making eye contact.  Danny, with a little more serious tone asks again about the Kats from Kansas City and is once again not given a direct answer.

 Danny, now close to being  pissed off, slaps his hand on the counter and with his firmest voice directs, "Listen, pal.  Do you have our three cats or not?"

 The reps demeanor suddenly and abruptly changes.  "What did you just say?" he quizzed Danny.

 "Do you have our three cats or not?" came Danny's reply.

 With much visual relief, the rep stated, "Sir.  I have three cats in the back ready to be picked up, yes, sir, three cats,  but, you see, I have FOUR cat carriers and, to be honest with you, we were assembling a team to start tearing apart a Boeing 737 in search of the fourth cat.  Three, you say?  What a relief!"

 It seemed Martha thought it would be a good idea to take a fourth cat carrier and fill it with cat toys, cat food, cat blankies and other cat goodies and treat it like checked cat baggage but somehow had just not gotten around to informing anyone.

 Flying cats do not need checked baggage.



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