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The initial plan was for them to make the pickup of Orange at Pam's on January 4, 2004, drive him back to Windsor, and get him on the plane the following morning. Weather conditions put the hex on that plan. After getting the "all clear" from the airline companies, Francine put Orange in a crate the morning of January 6th, and made the drive to the Detroit airport. After being misdirected several times, she finally found the right place for animal transport, only to find out that the flight would be cancelled, due to a HUGE storm in Seattle.


After some quick behind-the-scenes discussions, by Cat Chat, phone, and by email, it was decided that the best method of flying Orange to Alaska would be aboard the plane as a passenger, with a human companion. Catherine posted a message asking for volunteers. Within hours, Victoria (VICTORIAMAR1) voluteered her daughter, Sasha, to accompany Orange on the flight so that he wouldn't have to suffer the ignomies (and the potential hazards) of being caged in the baggage compartment. (They also live in Ontario, so the plan was for Sasha to drive to Detroit.) As Victoria put it, "Catherine was asking for a volunteer, I was casually passing my daughter in the dining room when I said to her, 'you wouldn't like a fast trip to Alaska with an orange cat, would you?' She said sure. I then volunteered her services. Sasha since a very small girl had a 'thing' about ginger cats."

Now that a final-final plan was in place, other volunteers jumped into the mix. Marge - Houston, Texas (LILYPETE) - donated her own kitty's walking jacket and leash for managing Orange during his long trip.

Mell (TCs Mommy Dearest) - Florida - donated her frequent flyer miles and some additional funds to help.

While Francine, Dominic, and the Shire kitties (Frodo, Pippin, and Merry) enjoyed Orange's company, Catherine had to have been counting the days when she could finally lay her hands on Orange. By the way, it should be mentioned that Dominic came up with the name "Project Orange," and it stuck immediately.

Orange, in the meantime, was making himself quite at home in the Shire. He played and slept with the Shire cats, ate their food (really scarfed up the "Chicken Soup"), and practiced wearing his new Walking Jacket, under Francine's supervision. Orange generally endeared himself to everyone in the Shire, to one degree or another.

Attention: Disney Executives!

Excitement and tension mounted on the forum. Several members joked seriously about what a great Disney movie (hint, hint) could be made out of Project Orange. No kidding! It could give an enormous boost to the cause of homeless cats, and it's such a heartwarming story, as well as an exemplary example of the power of a bunch of "crazy" cat women and men, when faced with a homeless cat. Just look at what Doris Day has done for the cause of Spay and Neuter (and she isn't personally making the big bucks out of it that Disney could make from Project Orange).

Orange Comes Home!

At long last, the great day arrived. Victoria and Sasha arrived at Francine's home more-or-less as scheduled on February 2nd, and Sasha spent the night. Bright and early the next morning, Dominic, Francine, Sasha, and the cat-of-the-hour were in Francine's car, heading for the Detroit airport. The next part, at the U.S. border, is so complicated, and so funny, that you really should read it in Francine's own words (But be sure to return to this page when you've finished.)

Having escaped the clutches of the border patrol intact, they finally reached the airport and with relatively few complications, Sasha and Orange were airborn, on the first leg of their flight. However, as frequent fliers will appreciate, the final departure from Anchorage was delayed, due to "mechanical problems," which may or may not have had another explanation. In the meantime, dozens of forum members were keeping very late hours, as they sat at their computers, on pins and needles, waiting for news of Orange's arrival in Fairbanks. On the destination end, it was a "wait and hurry-up" situation for Catherine; after being told of one delayed arrival time after another by the airline, she finally got the call that the plane had already landed! Finally word was announced to the forum: Orange Has Landed!

When last I checked, Orange had started to ingratiate himself to Catherine's other cats, had gotten a shampoo, ear cleaning, and vet clearance. Catherine is very happy and relieved to have Orange home. Sasha is back home, tired, but happy with her part in this modern-day fantasy. Dorothy and Toto have nothing on Sasha and Orange! Pam and Francine are crying tears of joy, partly because they miss the dear cat known as Orange, but mostly because they are so happy at being part of his homecoming.

Way to go, Orange!

p.s. If you're curious about Orange's future with Catherine, or what happened to Tuxie, you'll just have to join the About Cats Forum. Orange's story has just barely begun.