Well, we're half way there. We got to Seattle yesterday AM.
I tried the freezing water in the dish thing and it would have worked except the airline people insisted I dump it.
I had only 40mins layover time in Narita. My bag wnet through but I had to collect Aya take her to the UA counter and re-check her in and pay for her again. She was terrified, hiding under her blanket. Luckilly I had an escort who took me straight from baggage to the counter. Then I had to re-pass through security and immigration and run to the gate.
Luckilly we both made it onboard. The airline stewardesses even asked me if I had a cat (they were worried about the other 3 dogs onboard), and I said no she's checked. And they were like why didn't you bring her on (carryon). I said I switched from domestic and was under the understanding that I couldn't.
When we got through to Seattle everything went smoothly. There were folks at baggage/ customs calling my name to tell me where to go. I had to backtrack as I missed quarratine office to show her papers. no big deal. I just showed the export cert from Japan and they said okay. If she looks good sent her through.
Then I got to customs and they confiscated all her cat food! Apparently they do not allow any foreign pet food into the US. It was all her prescription CD too. Luckilly only one small bag but I was worried as she hadn't eaten for 16 hours at that point and I wanted to feed her straight away when we got home.
Luckilly my bro knows a Vet surgeon who kindly wrote me a scrip for the C/D which we picked up at the Redmond VCA clinic. Two more stops with an angry, terrified cat in tow.
By the time she got off the plane in Seattle she was vocal and complaining about the 'cat torture'.
She's in the guest bathroom with her box and stuff etc... We seem to have recovered with no ill effects. She just wants to jail break and check out the rest of the house. I get lots of purring and headbutts and 'I want something' mews when I go in there.
I tried the freezing water in the dish thing and it would have worked except the airline people insisted I dump it.
I had only 40mins layover time in Narita. My bag wnet through but I had to collect Aya take her to the UA counter and re-check her in and pay for her again. She was terrified, hiding under her blanket. Luckilly I had an escort who took me straight from baggage to the counter. Then I had to re-pass through security and immigration and run to the gate.
Luckilly we both made it onboard. The airline stewardesses even asked me if I had a cat (they were worried about the other 3 dogs onboard), and I said no she's checked. And they were like why didn't you bring her on (carryon). I said I switched from domestic and was under the understanding that I couldn't.
When we got through to Seattle everything went smoothly. There were folks at baggage/ customs calling my name to tell me where to go. I had to backtrack as I missed quarratine office to show her papers. no big deal. I just showed the export cert from Japan and they said okay. If she looks good sent her through.
Then I got to customs and they confiscated all her cat food! Apparently they do not allow any foreign pet food into the US. It was all her prescription CD too. Luckilly only one small bag but I was worried as she hadn't eaten for 16 hours at that point and I wanted to feed her straight away when we got home.
Luckilly my bro knows a Vet surgeon who kindly wrote me a scrip for the C/D which we picked up at the Redmond VCA clinic. Two more stops with an angry, terrified cat in tow.
By the time she got off the plane in Seattle she was vocal and complaining about the 'cat torture'.
She's in the guest bathroom with her box and stuff etc... We seem to have recovered with no ill effects. She just wants to jail break and check out the rest of the house. I get lots of purring and headbutts and 'I want something' mews when I go in there.
But it's good you got through to the US ok. Yay!! 
that the rest of the trip is also smooth.
good vibes to you and for your kitty...
...
What a splendid mental image! 
