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Franny's Note: This story requires a preface, because it is a small segment of a larger, international story that took place over a period of several weeks. The short version is that Project Orange involved the rescue of a cat by an About Cats forum member in Canada, and his subsequent adoption by Catherine, a forum member clear across the continent, in Alaska. The transportation details alone involved several relays, culminating in the long flight with Sasha, the daughter of yet another forum member. Are you confused yet? Hang onto your hats! Francine takes the story from here.


Even though we were running late, we still felt like we were going crazy. We each made sure that Orange had everything he needed, Water with Rescue Remedy in it, a bit of food for the stop in Anchorage, his blanket, the paperwork and money for him, and of course, his litter and specially designed (by Victoria) collapsible litter box. I forgot to pack his bed, and give him one of the crinkly balls cause he loved them so much!!

We got to the border at about 10 after 6 or so and went over the bridge (there are two crossing points, a bridge and a tunnel) and got to the Customs booth.... and this is where the fun began.

Well, we were asked our citizenships, and since I was driving I responded "Canadian" and passed over all three driver's licenses, two Canadian birth certificates, and one immigration card (Dominic's).

"Purpose of your trip." (Immigration officers don't ask questions, they make statemtents!)

"We're bringing our friend to the airport."

"Can I see her airplane ticket."

"She doesn't have one, because it was done over the internet."

"Confirmation number."

Sasha starts looking through her purse for the papers she printed last night... just as I see a picture of the papers lying on the floor (which I meant to pick up, or have someone pick up, but my hands were full with the litter to be packed, and no one was immediately around me). Rustling through her bag, Sasha discovers that she doesn't have the papers with her.

"I don't have them with me." I hear from the back seat.

"Why are you taking this trip"

"I'm bringing this cat to his new home." (Internal groan from Francine and Dominic as well. LOL It's the truth, but who is going to actually believe it?)

"What?" (Yes, that was actually a question.)

"I'm flying to Anchorage to bring this cat to his new home."

"WHAT?!" Then calmer: "Lean forward so I can see you"

"I'm bringing this cat to Anchorage to his new home."

"What cat"

"He's here beside me in the carrier."

At this point, he hands me back our cards, and puts an Orange (Yes ORANGE!!!) piece of paper on our windshield under the wiper, and says, "Pull over to your left, but don't get out of the car until you are told."

Now, I start thinking "Uh oh" because I have never been pulled over before! Wait, it gets better!

I pull over to the area, where there are about six guys standing around. One guy on the right of the car tells me to pull through, and when I get where I think he wants me to be, I stop. The guy on the left comes over, and tells me to back up, all nasty like (intimidation techniques I suppose... fazed me a tad, but not all that much because I KNOW they do this all the time; it's in their job descriptions! Anything to make you nervous and make you say something you meant to keep secret.)

So, were still sitting in the car.

"Any alcohol or tobacco in the vehicle?"

"No"

Then, very softly from the back I hear "I have my cigarettes." Wasn't exactly the place to tell Sasha that they are looking for cartons (and normally lots of them), not personal packs of cigarettes. I know by this point that Sasha is VERY nervous. Intimidation techniques work well on people who don't cross the border often; it's been six years for Sasha.

"Step out of the car please" (why they bother to say please when they are say things so strictly, I don't know....)

"Go into the building and stand at the counter until you are called on."

So I pipe up, after getting out of the car, and say "She has a couple of packs of personal cigarettes in her bag," just to calm Sasha down a bit, so SHE knows she's not hiding anything. If people think they are, they get nervous, and even if it's not about the flight, the customs officers might have thought she was hiding something about it, or lying about it altogether!

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