11.01.2010

The Dash For Ash

Wow what a busy weekend...three States, three helpful people, one Province, a ton of driving (518 miles, or 833kms each way) and the sweetest cat you ever met!

We left Friday afternoon and our first stop was Michigan
Where we stayed the night in beautiful downtown Kalamazoo.  The next day we headed into Indiana
and had some great early Christmas shopping time at the Michigan City (even though its not in Michigan) Outlet Mall before we headed to

Matteson, Illinois to meet wonderful Amy, her man Brad and the star of the show Ash!!!  Amy had already met up with Chrystal who brought Ash from southern Illinois where he was born and you can read about their portions of the journey on House of Cats and Daily Dose of Dogs and Cats.  Not only did Amy bring Ash to me, but she had a cosy cat carrier (which was much better suited to Ash's size than Molly's large carrier which I had packed) two bags of treats and a Da Bird toy (which Ash loves) from her kitties.  Our meeting was brief because we had the better part of a ten hour drive home, but it was so nice to put a face to the blog and meet Amy in person.  Thank you so much Amy!!!
Ash had been on the road for quite a while so before we got going we took a little time for a drink and a nibble and a pee in his portable litter box!

As we set off, Ash told me that he no longer cared to be in his carrier with a series of plaintive meows.  I had packed a fleecy blue blanket for him, so I spread it on my lap and let him out.  Ash rode the entire way home alternating between my lap and Robert's lap or the back shelf of the car where he could look out the window.  I can't even begin to tell you how perfectly behaved he was in the car.  Sometimes he stretched out

and sometimes I swaddled him in his blanket

He was so good the entire trip!  We got to the Canadian/Ontario border around midnight and there was quite a line-up because only two lanes were open.  The person in front of us took so long with the customs agent and then was directed to secondary search with sirens and lights blaring.  Robert and I looked at each other and thought that this was perhaps not a good sign!  The customs agent took one look at Ash and exclaimed what a cute cat he was. 


Ash had his rabies certificate which was all that was needed and we were through in no time!  We arrived home at 2:30 am and all of us were exhausted.  Ash was sleeping like an angel in my arms when I took him upstairs to his room.  He went for a pee in his litter box and then settled in for bed.  A little meowing underneath the door to the boys who were on patrol outside then not a peep out of him until morning!

I really can't believe how good he was considering his ten hour journey was not a roomy, smooth SUV or luxury sedan, but my tiny car.
I would like to mention that even though Saturday was a joyous day for us it was not for everyone.  Amy was driving in memory of her lovely boy Floyd who went to the bridge exactly one year ago
 
and our good friend Skeeter from the Kool Kitty Krew went to the bridge just that morning.
Chrystal was driving for little Winnie and of course if my Molly had not gone to the bridge there would not have been room at my house for Ash.  So I would just like everyone to know that the Dash for Ash was  poignant to us for a lot of reasons besides just bringing Ash to his forever home and that we were thinking about all our CB friends who are here and who have gone before :-)


Please pop by throughout the week if you have a chance because we will be posting more pictures of Ash and updates on how he is settling in.  Thank you to everyone who wished us a safe journey, I think everything went so smoothly for Chrystal, Amy and myself because we had so many people and kitties holding good thoughts for us!  BIG thank you to Chrystal for raising such a lovely boy, I feel lucky to have him!

42 comments:

Teddy Westlife said...

I can't WAIT to see more of Ash. He looks like such a sweet boy!

Marg said...

Oh that is so wonderful that so many people cared enough to make it possible for Ash to get to you. What a good boy he was for such a long car ride. We know that Ash is going to be very happy in his new forever home. Take care and enjoy your Monday.

Daisy said...

I am so glad that Ash is home at last! He sounds like the perfect little traveler. I can't wait to hear how he settles in!

Admiral Hestorb said...

Oh, I was so delighted and smiling and happy reading this and looking at the pictures too. What wonderful caring dear CB friends. And what a happy sweet ending..or I should say beginning for darling Ash.

Many kisses to him from me and mommy. And hugs to you and all the CB friends with hearts so big and loving.

xoxox

The Creek Cats said...

What a great story. We love how people come together for the sake of a rescue kitty! Ash sure is a lucky kitty!!!

Kea said...

Welcome home, Ash!

Wow, what a good traveller you are! Seriously. Amazing.

Lots of purrs and kitty kisses to you, we hope you settle in and integrate without any problems!

Angel Simba said...

Awesome!

Yes, we have been thinking about the fact that Dash for Ash was in honor of several beloved kitties who had gone to the Rainbow Bridge. So glad he settled in so well and your trips were safe.

The Monkeys said...

What great CB teamwork! We're so happy that Ash is home with you where he belongs! We look forward to seeing more pictures and hearing about how he adjusts.

cats of wildcat woods said...

Glad to hear all went well with the trip - Ash sounds lovely. I have always thought that sometimes other kitties go to the Bridge to allow a homeless cat to come and take their place. I usually find one after I have lost one. Welcome home Ash!

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

We are so glad the journey went well and we can understand why it was so poignant.
What a wonderful little cat, young Ash has shown himself to be. We are sending him a huge welcome to his forever home and can't wait to see more pics of him.
(We thik he looks very like Alfie Marshall and also your sweet little Max).

Thank you to efurryone who gave little Ash the chance for a wonderful life. Purrs.

The Island Cats said...

Yay! What a journey, but we are so happy Ash is in his new home! We can't wait to see more of him!!

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

Thank you for sharing your journey with us! What a pawsome forever home you have Ash!

Forty Paws said...

Ash did so well on his trip! He will be a great poodin for you!

Luf, Us

Cory said...

Oh what a sweetie boy he is!!!!! Mom is leaking just a bit...but leakiness of happiness, so it's ok.

We will be back everyday to see how Ash is doing.

Meowers from Missouri said...

how wunnerful that ash is HOME!! we are furry proud that you went all that way to giff him the lovin' he deserves!! bless you eternally. may you all enjoy each ofur for many happy, healthy years!

SeaThreePeeO said...

Were so glad that everything went smoothly for you all.

We cannot wait to see how Ash settles in.

Raymond and Busby said...

Yay! We are so glad Ash is home at last. We look forward to future blog posts and photos. xoxo

Rene said...

What a great story! Ash is a handsome man cat who apparently was made to travel. I've never seen a cat eat or drink while traveling before. We are glad he's in his new home. Thanks for posting all the neat photos of your travels.

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

What a sweet boy Ash is, and bless you for giving him such a loving home. It is sad you lost Molly, but bless her for making it possible for Ash to have such a wonderful home.

We love y'all and are looking forward to getting to know Ash. xxxxxxxx

The Crew said...

Awwww...we're so glad Ash found his forever home with the help of so many loving, caring humans.

Katnip Lounge said...

We are thrilled to bits for all of you!
Big thanks to everyone who helped get Ash to his Forever Home from the Katnip Lounge Gang!

OKcats said...

Such sweet stories for everyone involved - in memories of 3 fine cats. We're glad to hear Ash is settling in - none of us are good in the car, so we bet you were relieved to have a Good Cat for a 10 hour drive!

Your friends, Fuzzy and Zoe

Brian's Home Blog said...

I am thrilled that Ash made the journey so well, he knew he had the best forever home just waiting for him!

Cara n Crew said...

We are so happy that Ash is with you now! It's great that he was so relaxed in the car (our mom says 'cool car' btw :)). We look forward to hearing how Ash settles in and what the boys think :).

-Pip, Smidgen, Minnie

Hannah and Lucy said...

Ash looks a beautiful little boy kitty - it's amazing how relaxed he was when you think how far he had already travelled before you started your journey home with him. We are sure he will have his paws under the table before you know it.
Luv Hnnah and Lucy xx xx

JC said...

He does look so cute. No wonder everyone went out of their way to get him into your forever home. Enjoy your new purrball ...

Kat's Kats said...

Da Boys say, "Yay Ash!! We are pretty good car riders too (except when we're going to the vet. We know that you will be very happy in your new Forever home!! Please make sure to listen to the Feeders (mom & dad) as well as the older cats who know more than you do. Mister Kitten still tries to shove his way everywhere even though he is the youngest. Although he's pretty good when one of the Feeders hands out treats. He sits as soon as the treats come out and can hear them from our yard! Our Feeders are still working on "stay" with him & Thomas."

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a joy to view the pics of Ash making his way HOME. What an amazing cat - how lucky that he has such amazing human parents now.

Sparkle said...

Wow, Ash is an amazingly good kitty! I can't wait to find out how he is settling in.

P.S. My human has a car just like yours, only it is red. Unlike Ash, I am not a good kitty when I am put inside it.

Anonymous said...

YAY ASH~!!! We are so happy he is with you and thank you so much for the lovely tribute to Skeeter

Samantha & Mom said...

Welcome Ash!!! We are so glad to made it to your new forever home!! You got the greatest Mom and Brothers ever!!
Your TX furiends,

Hi Ben!! I'll be right over to play in your Cubes!!
Purrrrs and hugs,
Clementine

GreatGranny said...

I so love happy ending such as this. It's really wonderful to know that there are so many caring people who love animals. This is a heart-warming story and I'll be waiting for more photos of ASH. I saw no place to follow you, Cat.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Cat
I began reading Chrystal blog, tears flowing down my face, then I moved onto Amy's blog, cried some more and read her post and finally I read yours where finally I cried for the final time, all tears of joy for each of you. What a magical journey ... and how special it was for each of you on three different levels. I think you have a special little one there and what amazes me even more is how well he adapted with Amy and then you. Such a sweetie, it just tells me that somehow all of this was supposed to happen for a reason.

Like I said to Amy, God bless for adopting Ash.

purrin
xoxxo
Abby's Mom Debra

Mr Puddy said...

What a wonderful journey ! and thanks to all human who helped get Ash to his Forever Home

Purrs and Huggs

meowmeowmans said...

Congratulations on your new purrfect addition! We are so happy Ash is home, and that the trip went so well. What an amazing adventure you all had! :)

Quill and Greyson said...

What a great story!!

Sweet Purrfections said...

This story just warms my heart! I can't wait to see the pictures of Ash adjusting to his forever home.

The Adventures of Scarlett and Melly said...

Congratulations on the successful completion of the dash for Ash! He looks like such a sweet little kitty, and I can't wait to see more of him on your blog.

Poppy Q said...

Ash seems so settled with you already, what a great little traveler. We hope everybuddy gets alone well and he enjoys his new furrever home.

CCL Wendy said...

What a fantastic story with so many kitty folk and angel kitties involved to make it happen!

You're very fortunate that Ash doesn't mind the car. It would probably be a good idea to keep him used to it by taking him on short drives now and then (that's what I try to do).

Ash certainly does look and sound like a real sweetheart. Something tells me this was meant to be.

Welcome home, Ash! You're Canadian now.

Swimtaxi said...

I love to read about big-hearted people who go out of their way for our 4-legged friends.

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

We sure enjoyed Ash's travelogue and hearing all about the trip...we are late in saying Welcome!!