We were now just over a week away from the trip home so it was time to turn our attention to preparations for the trip. Part of that was anticipating what we would need to get Raffy into the country. The government site was not really clear about what was required. We knew he needed to be vaccinated. That much was clear. He had his first vaccinations on his very first appointment and he would have the second one the day before we would fly home. The vet where he had his big surgery told us he would not be able to get into Canada if he had stitches in so we planned on getting them out just before we left. One of the big concerns I had was returning from a country that was known for drug trafficking with a cat that had a big incision in his stomach. I spoke to Dr. Val about this and she understood completely. She said that she would provide us with detailed paperwork to explain to customs what had been done. Raffy had to have ultra sounds to check for blood and air in his abdomen the first 2 days he was home from the hospital and then every other day after that. He had a total of four procedures that took us to the Wednesday before we came home. His final appointment was the day before we flew home. He got his stitches out and was declared completely healthy. We were told he would have a normal life expectancy! With his paperwork in hand we left the vet clinic for the last time.
That last week was crazy. We had to get our Covid tests and say goodbye to our many friends. The government created an app that we had to complete after we got our test results, we had to get our laundry done and then there was packing. Everything had to be done around Raffy's appointments.
On Wednesday Raffy had his last ultrasound. When we got back from that we went to the grocery store to buy some items we were taking home with us. I felt lousy when we got back from shopping so I laid down. I slept the afternoon away and Rick woke me up to go get something to eat. I was really nauseous so I didn’t eat much. When we returned home I was violently sick to my stomach and a fever set in. That lasted until the next day and then I was ok. We had to get our Covid tests done that day and I was a little worried.
On Friday Rick had the same thing happen to him. We figured that it was something we both ate that caused this illness. We did have a discussion about what we would do if one or both of us tested positive. Raffy took care of us by snuggling and sleeping with us. The timing was very bad, though. We had plans to meet our friend Jerry for Breakfast at 9:00 am and then Raffy was getting his stitches out at 11:00. Rick had given the wrong email address for my Covid test results so I left early for breakfast so I could stop at the lab to sort that out and get my results. He received his and was negative. Then the cab I had booked for the trip to the vet did not show up so I walked to the square and got another one. He had no idea where to go, but I knew my way to the Vet’s and was able to help him navigate. Rick was still pretty sick when I got back from Raffy’s appointment so I went around town and visited our friends to say goodbye. We cancelled our dinner plans and then I finished packing. Raffy seemed very excited as I packed. He jumped in and out of each suitcase, inspecting the contents. It seemed like he knew he was coming home with us.
Raffy was the last thing we needed to pack. We decided earlier in the week that we would take his collar off so that he could be as comfortable as possible in the carrier. On Thursday Rick went and bought an Elastoplast bandage and some gauze so about 30 minutes before our transport was due to arrive we wrapped him up and put him in his carrier. The scariest part of the entire trip was going through airport security. Raffy’s carrier had to be put through the x-ray machine and Rick had to carry Raffy through his x-ray. If you have ever gone through security at the Cancun airport you know it is crazy! Thousands (I am NOT exaggerating) of people all trying to get through and, for the first time, I heard dogs barking and cats expressing their displeasure. I knew that Raffy would be scared and want to bolt. Thankfully we got through that without incident and then it was just a matter of waiting to board our flight. Raffy did not like the take-off and we could see him trying to get the top of the carrier open to get out. Rick was able to open the top enough to get a couple of fingers in to pet him and comfort him. He settled down and then I think he slept the rest of the flight.
We landed on time and I figured once we got all the paperwork and inspections done we would be at least 2 hours. This was our first trip since Covid hit and we knew that would probably complicate things. So, we presented our passports, answered all the questions asked and then were directed to see the people “through the door” to clear Raffy into Canada. Since everyone had to go “through the door” we were confused as to where to go. We asked one of the official looking guys and, as it happens, he was who we were supposed to see. There were actually 2 gentlemen there and Rick chatted with both of them about his (and their) Jeeps. One of the Gentlemen looked in the mesh window of the carrier and asked me if Raffy was healthy. I told him (honestly) “Yes!” He said “Ok, let me get you your paperwork.” Just like that Raffy was a citizen of Canada. We were randomly selected for another Covid test so we got that done and we were out of the airport less than an hour after landing. It seems like Raffy was given a proper welcome to Canada as there was a major snow storm happening. In spite of this we made the hour long drive home from the airport without incident and we were all relieved to walk into our home.
Raffy was isolated from the rest of our herd for the first week, while he was still wearing his cone. We were debating taking to our vet to have his incision checked because it was still scabbed over and did not appear to be healing. Instead we decided to use some cream on it to soften the scab so we could get it off without causing pain. We first tried Aloe cream (without alcohol) but that still seemed to sting and cause pain. Then we decided on Ozenol. I have used that in the past to treat cuts on cats. Sure enough, by the next day half of the scab had come off. The rest of it came off the next day and by the end of the week the incision was pretty much healed.
Throughout this week we slowly introduced our other boys to Raffy. The first meeting with Bart was a little rocky but subsequent visits were good. The other introductions went well. We did not introduce the girls. We knew they would be hissing at him and letting them know they ruled the house no matter when they met. When we opened the door and let him out he slowly made his way downstairs and the boys gave him the sniff test. He must have passed because there was no drama at all! As expected the girls hissed at him whenever he got close.
As Raffy recovered more, he realized he could run and play like any young cat. Watching him test his limits only to find out he doesn't have any has been fun and we have discovered he is very mischievous! It is apparent that he is still a kitten inside. We have started to call him "Raffy the Wrecker" for good reason.
Raffy’s incredible journey started less than 10 weeks ago. In that time he went from a very sick, limited ability cat who struggled to breath, even at rest, and weighed only a kilo to a healthy, active cat in a new forever home in a completely different country. He has 3 brothers and 2 sisters that he loves to torment. He now has a normal life expectancy and his incredible journey will continue.
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