This too shall pass

Today was the day.  Roy collected us at 1.30 as we were to meet Helen, of 4Paws Transport, at the Tarim office at 2pm, still not knowing if Rufus and Harry would be able to travel as my previous three visits in the last week to get the necessary permit have not been successful (see yesterday!).  By 2.15 we had been joined by Lyn, Sue, Sharon, and Christina, also all from CoDA*- and Buddy who was also going to the UK with 4 Paws.  Buddy is another CoDA sponsored Didim shelter rescue.  He is going to his forever home in Northumberland and the lady who fell in love with him 6 months ago when she was here on holiday, and helped CoDA at the shelter - which is of course, also how I met Rufus last April. Then we got a call from Helen to say the traffic at the Turkish border had been dreadful and it was going to be another hour till she got to us.  

In fact, I think the wait was a good thing because it gave Rufus and Buddy  time to get used to each other. Harry waited out his time in the cat box, quiet, patient, silent and sage in his demeanour. The humans chatted and ate snacks bought in the mini market conveniently situated on the other side of the road. Although the company was relaxed, we were all relieved when the 4Paws transport van pulled into the office carpark and greetings were as warm as the day itself.

Armed with the paperwork and Helen, whose signature was required, Sharon, Sue and myself went inside to do the business while Roy and Lyn looked after Buddy, Rufus and Harry outside. 

It took a long; long, hour and a half but finally, with no other hurdles or obstacles to navigate, we were issued with the necessary paperwork for Rufus, Buddy and Harry to leave the province and travel to Fethiye, the location of Helen's animal transport business and the first stage of their journey.  It took a while longer for us to see our furry friends safely stowed and say goodbye, but finally they were off. 

 I haven't been at home without Harry since he moved in (2015) and, although Nelson and Cleo (adopted garden cats) snoozed peacefully in the lounge, as always,  with no evening 'walkies' needed, I was glad when Gece the garden dog asked to come inside for the night. 

Preoccupied with Rufus and Harry's travel, villa renovation, broken hot water boilers and goodness knows what else of late,  I have paid little attention to my own travel plans - but today I finally bought my ticket to the UK - so it'll be pub dinner on Monday with bro. Yay. 


*CoDA - local charity - Care of Didim ownerless animals at the shelter and on the street.