Canadian border
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Friday, June 2, 01:45
Canadian Border Services officer: “Where do you live?”
Me (stifling yawn): “Toronto and Vancouver.”
Officer: “How long were you in the U.S.?”
Me: “Four days.”
Officer: “What goods are you bringing back to Canada with you?”
Me: (pause) “Cat food*.” (Neither Rachael nor I bought anything.)
The officer looked away for a moment, trying to decide whether I was jerking his chain he should continue his line of questioning and pretend he didn’t hear me, or if he should probe for more absurdities and maybe poke around the car.
About 30 seconds later we were on our way, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“At least he didn’t frisk the glove compartment and find the big bottle of Hugh’s pills I can only get in the U.S. because it isn’t on the list of federally approved drugs in Canada.”
Can you imagine the delay? The explanations? After driving all day, I didn’t want to imagine.
I also didn’t want to imagine what kind of excremental mess was awaiting me at the apartment from Mister Hugh, a.k.a. The Most High-Maintenance Expat Kitty Ever. He’s got the costliest poop around.
* Hugh can only eat two kinds of food, and both must be purchased from a veterinarian. Hill’s Prescription Diet K/D (Kidney Diet) wet and dry. Every other kind, including other Prescription Diet cat food for old cats or oral care or to treat furballs, are available in pet stores but disagree with his digestive system. The wet K/D is to mix with his daily capsule, and the only kind he can generally keep down is the chicken flavour. THIS FOOD IS EXPENSIVE, and I save a bit of money if I buy it across the line. With the pills I have no choice but to order them from the compounding pharmacy in Wilkes-Barre; they’re that obscure.
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Lucky times at the border! Good stuff Gail.
Thanks, Ben. And it seems like you’re having a cat adventure of your own, there.
Oh my goodness . . . I thought our cat stories were insane. They’re nothing compared to yours. We have to give Bonnabelle an insulin shot every day, and two doses of thyroid medicine mixed with turkey baby food, but she gobbles it down with no problems. I can’t imagine having to travel across the border to get our cats food. I would do it though! You’re such a good cat mommy.
The only time that I thought I was going to pull my hair out was when we first started giving her shots and she hated them. We finally figured out to give them to her when she’s eating and it hasn’t been a problem since. But before that, I was in tears trying to get her to calm down so we could give her a shot. And then there was the months where we had to prick her ear for a drop of blood to test her blood sugar several times a day. That was NOT fun. But we got through it and now have a healthy, thriving cat who’s been well regulated on her insulin for about 3 years. So in the end, all the work for our kitty cats is well worth it.
Your cat loves turkey baby food?? The only way I can get Hugh to eat soft food is as a last resort!
My friend’s cat has chylothorax, and she has to give him 10 cc’s of medication three times a day — every 8 hours!
For all the whining I do, deep down I know it could be worse and ultimately it’s worth it.