So this beautiful little girl needs a home.
grammy pat has her and caring & sensitive would like to have her.
Of course, grammypat lives in Texas, and caring & sensitive lives in Vancouver, BC. So of course our fearless leader asked me to see if you guys are up for a cross-country kitty relay.
Starting point for the relay, if we can pull it off, can be either Austin or San Antonio – depending on the preference of the person who could take the first leg of the relay.
Destination could be either Bellingham or Seattle, depending on the preference of the person who takes the last leg of the relay.
As you all no doubt know by now, I suck at geography and time zones. So I am most definitely not the person to figure out how to get from point A to point B.
Anybody up for participating in the relay? I guess that’s the first step before we get serious about figuring out all the details.
Open thread.
War for Ukraine Day 358: Another Day Another Admission of a War Crime
BubbaDave
I’ll volunteer for the Portland to Bellingham leg of the trip. I’m an experienced catherd.
Edit: I’d be willing to drive a few hours south or east to meet the prior leg driver if they don’t want to head all the way to Portland.
A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)
I am willing to do a leg if appropriate. I live in Ukiah, CA, so could do a N CA leg if that works with the decided upon route.
I want details on why the cat needs a new home and how the new home was found. Just being nosy!
Edit: looking at the route map that just got posted, it skips CA completely. But if that changes, I’m in.
WaterGirl
This is apparently around 2,000 miles, but Cole thinks we can do this.
WaterGirl
I have no idea whether the route suggested by the google is a good one, but that one goes through the following states:
Just a quick 32-hour drive!
Scout211
Is this Vancouver, BC or Vancouver, WA?
If BC, documents are needed. I am assuming that caring & sensitive knows this already. But if not, here’s some information: Bringing animals to Canada: Importing and traveling with pets
WaterGirl
@Scout211: Vancouver, BC. (I just clarified that up top.)
Yes, caring & sensitive suggested Seattle or Bellingham, and he can take her back home from there, over the border.
So no one else on BJ has to be concerned about that piece.
WaterGirl
@A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan): Okay I will dig out the backstory.
Be right back.
dc
I can’t do any leg of the rout as I live in the east. But that is one beautiful kitty :)
WaterGirl
Origin story!
So this got sent to Cole on Jan 14, and he jumped right on it. Okay, not exactly. :-) In the meantime, grammypat mentioned the kitty in a thread, and she and caring & sensitive have been conversing by email.
And here we are.
grumbles
… And that’s how I learned that I’d been hanging out with an international cat-smuggling ring.
WaterGirl
@grumbles: Good start to a story!
Yutsano
That route across Oregon is about 40 miles from my place. If kitteh gets to Pendleton on a Saturday or SundayI can do a leg from there to Portland. If necessary I can go as far as Le Grande.
Also: this sweetie sounds like a new version of my long lost Lexie.
David Anderson
@grumbles: as one does….
thalarctosMaritimus
@WaterGirl: That’s a good route for summer, but at this time of year, I would tend to take a more southern route directly west to California, and then drive up I5.
It adds more time to the trip, but unless everyone involved is a seasoned mountain driver in winter, it really is safer.
Also, in addition to keeping an eye on weather conditions and altitudes, I’d plan the trip around sunrise and sunset in the stopovers–ideally, you want to arrive in a strange city before it gets too dark, and leave before you lose too much daylight. Of course, days are so short this time of year that that’s not always possible, but it’s something to strive for.
Normally I’d be up for the Portland-Bellingham leg, but I may have to fly back East on a family emergency at a moment’s notice. But I have no doubt the PNW contingent will represent this time, and I’ll pitch in some other time.
WaterGirl
First choice: We get the relay figured out.
Second choice: We have someone willing to fly her there, and then we figure out what that would cost and how to pay for it.
Third choice: This beautiful little girl goes to another home because we can’t fire out one and two.
WaterGirl
@thalarctosMaritimus: Yeah, you guys totally have to figure out the route.
I just googled as a starting point for the conversation.
thalarctosMaritimus
@WaterGirl: I’d totally pitch in on a round-trip flight and an overnight stay, because that’s a long trip for one day.
raven
In the movie Dog they take a military dog from Ft Lewis, WA to Arizona for the funeral of its owner. Going through California is definitely a better route.
WaterGirl
@thalarctosMaritimus: I took the liberty of bolding your first line.
WaterGirl
@thalarctosMaritimus: If you (or someone else) wanted to get an estimate for what that might cost, that would be super helpful.
raven
CaseyL
I live in Seattle, love to drive, and am totally willing to be a relay.
Along with BubbaDave, I am up for Portland-Bellingham, or any segment thereof.
My only limitation is that I’m not retired, but I can certainly take a day or two off if I have enough lead time to request it.
(One other thing I can’t do is have her stay overnight at my place, as I too have an older Only Cat who would be hostile. But a day drive? I am so up for that!
ETA: And I am also happy to kick in for airfare on a proper animal transport, since that would be a lot less stressful on her than multiple days in a car.
Sandia Blanca
How soon would the relay be starting? I’m in Austin and would love to do the first leg, but we’re headed to California tomorrow and won’t be back until the week of the 27th.
Pete Downunder
Obviously I can’t help from here, but I do have a thought. Perhaps check with one of the companies that fly pets internationally. We used a company called JetPet but I don’t know what’s available in the US. It ain’t cheap but the BJ community could chip in and then the trip is just a few hours and they can help with the paperwork. We flew a puppy from Australia to Scotland so it can be done. The company does everything and it’s door to door service.
ETA: CaseyL had same idea
Lord Fartdaddy (Formerly, Mumphrey, Smedley Darlington Mingobat, et al.)
I’d help, but I’m in the wrong Washington.
WaterGirl
@Pete Downunder: I can’t figure how why your comment at #24 went into moderation.
JohnC
@thalarctosMaritimus:
How about this for a winter-friendly route?
Pete Downunder
@WaterGirl: no worries. Thanks for the rescue
WaterGirl
@Sandia Blanca: Excellent question! I didn’t give either grammy pat or caring & sensitive any advance notice of the timing of this post, but I did send email to both when it went up.
So hopefully one or both of them can speak to the desired timing. I think sooner than later, for sure.
WaterGirl
@Pete Downunder: Maybe check to see if your nym or email is slightly different than usual? Unless you posted for the first time from a new device?
Pete Downunder
@WaterGirl: all the usual as far as I know but I’ll double check
raven
@JohnC: eggxactly
WaterGirl
I will check back in the morning for more offers to drive various legs of the trip.
In the meantime, it would be awesome if any of you could continue to figure out a good driving route, and figure out approximately what airfare would cost, and figure out costs for the various options at the link Raven provided.
I’m pretty confidence we can figure out a way to get this beautiful girl from point A to point B.
I barely slept last night, so I’m gonna go put on my PJs and snuggle with Henry and watch some TV and hopefully fall asleep.
something fabulous
@raven: Thanks, Raven! So using that from Austin/Seattle, I get $387.81 for the 1 animal, 26-50lbs (rounding up for carrier etc just to be on safe side) rate + “Note: An additional $150 peak surcharge will apply to the Animals rates shown” = $537.81. Seems like that would be fairly easy to raise across so many Jackals! And as noted probably less stressful for Ms Fancy than such a long drive w so many strangers. Would still need drivers to Austin and from Seattle, but I assumed bigger airports would be cheaper? And if anyone has any experience with pet transfer flights in particular we can shop around of course. What do we think everybody? Let’s do this!
thalarctosMaritimus
@JohnC: that’s pretty much the route we did the last time we drove KY-WA in the fall. The only real mountain driving was the Siskiyous in north-central CA, and CA knows how to keep snowy mountain roads clear.
It did add days to the drive, though, but we considered it worth it.
WaterGirl
@JohnC: Adding a visual from your link. thanks.
raven
International Pet and Animal Transportation Association
Pet shippers who are members of IPATA must follow ethical guidelines in pet travel and relocating animals worldwide. Search our list of TRUSTED animal transport specialists that can help you move your pet.
WaterGirl
You guys rock.
Scout211
@JohnC: I was about to recommend a similar route both for the weather and for the availability of jackal drivers in California and Oregon vs. Utah and Idaho.
I would recommend I-5 over CA-99 though.
thalarctosMaritimus
@WaterGirl: I looked, but everything I found on a cursory search was >$500.
Normally, I’m up for a search challenge, but my head is back East with my family emergency right now.
I bet there are jackals who are good at this and can find better deals, though.
NotMax
Prevailing winds the wrong direction for balloon transport.
(Couldn’t resist a small jest.) :)
Omnes Omnibus
@NotMax: Circumnavigation and a well-traveled cat?
piratedan
depending on When, I might be able to handle a leg from say….. EL Paso to Yuma or Blythe, which would get you across New Mexico and Arizona if there’s a need.
Pete Downunder
I’ve asked for a quote from Pets with Passports for AUS-YVR but probably won’t have an answer until tomorrow. I’ll report back.
TaMara
I’m up for funds if needed…I think flight with a person might be the best option…but in for $$ either way
ETA: She looks just like my Willodene
TaMara
@Pete Downunder: You rock!
On a side note – my book is finally published and a huge thank you for all the Kiwi phrases help. Made my editor very happy.
Grover Gardner
Yeah, you don’t want to drive through North Central Oregon this time of year. Southern I5 route is fine. We’re in Medford OR, 20 minutes from Northern California. We could do a No Cal leg or mid-Oregon leg. Or be happy to help pay for a plane trip. We just had to put down our third dog in three years. It’s lonely around here. :-( We’ve decided the next largish Balloon Juice pup up for grabs is OURS. ;-)
suzanne
Not anywhere close to my neck of the woods, bust beat of luck. Lovely kitty looks just like my dearly departed dearie floof Nico, aka The Best Cat Ever.
Pete Downunder
@TaMara:
@TaMara:
Glad to hear it. Happy to help. Good luck with the book
Evap
I’m in Atlanta so I can’t help with driving but I’m happy to donate some shekels to help this beauty find her forever home.
Sans Simian
Long-time lurker here in Austin. I can get her to a plane in Austin or SA, or even Houston or Dallas if y’all find a cheaper flight. Let me know what you find.
NotMax
@Omnes Omnibus
Puss in routes?
grammypat
@A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan):
Hi, nosy.
As I’ve explained to others over the past month+:
Just before xmas, I was outside and a small, emaciated but gorgeous furball (full of burrs) walked up, head-butted my leg, flopped down, and rolled over. I fell in love. I’m in a rural area in TX, so she’s probably a stray, escapee Maine Coon.
I have an older Only Cat, Mi’ja (a strictly indoor cat who does not like other cats or people), and knew that I could not keep her. Of course, I fed Little Girl* and she would sporadically return. I was determined to foster her until I could get her the help that she needed.
To encourage potential forever parents, I arranged for her to be spayed, rabies vaxx’d, de-wormed, and FELV/FIV tested (neg.) and a dose of Revolution. It was while sequestered after the operation that I took the initial pics. Neither she nor the camera operator was at their best.
Immediately after, I contacted Cole to see if he wanted to take her because he has Steve and had written about getting another cat. He subsequently started posting about his vacation but did not respond to my email. After his return, he posted about going to pick up a cat and I commented about his lack of response to Little Girl*. He wanted the email re-sent, which I did.
Other commenters to that post, “J R in WV” and “caring & sensitive” expressed interest. “J R in WV” wanted her for a “barn” cat, which I could not agree to.
In the meantime, I had let Little Girl* come in out of the cold and danger. Mi’ja didn’t try to kill her but soon started exhibiting strange symptoms. I thought the reason that she was losing hair was because of stress. ¾’s of my monthly income later, my vet said that Little Girl* had to be kept outside. In the meantime, we discovered that the 1st dose of Revolution wasn’t fully effective and Mi’ja was not only suffering from stress, but fleas and now tapeworm. So I’m now worried sick about 2 cats, one a vulnerable, 6-7lb stray who is being made to stay outside, and the other my long time companion who was sickened by Little Girl’s* presence.
After more than a week of increasingly frantic emails with WaterGirl, trying to get a front-page post to see if anyone wanted to give Little Girl* a good, forever home, I asked WG to send my email addy to “caring & sensitive” to see if there was something, anything to be done. There was.
He has recently lost his beloved Maine Coon, Chester, and mentioned flying her to Vancouver, Canada. The thought of putting her in the cargo hold of an airplane is too much to even contemplate. Nonetheless, we persisted and now have a front-page post asking for assistance in transporting her from central TX to Vancouver. The danger is a transporter will fall in love as I did and try to keep her!
Lyrebird
@something fabulous:
This seems better for the nerves of the cat and the people.
Count me in for a few bucks at least.
A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)
@WaterGirl: Thank you for indulging me :-)
JohnC
@Scout211:
How’s this instead? (38 hr, 2520 miles)
(substituting I5 for CA99 shaves an hour off the time estimate!)
mvr
I live in Eastern Nebraska along Highway 80 and can drive down to KCMO if needed and/or west from here if needed. So if it looks like there is a route that needs a link in this rough location I’d be willing to give it a try if the timing worked out with my job.
Sounds like you may have a different route in mind though.
Scout211
@JohnC: 👍
A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)
@grammypat: Thank you for indulging me :-)
Ladyraxterinok
OT——JuST saw that both GOP candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court are graduates of Pat Robertson’s Regents Law School
School’s webpage says it teaches students to view law through a ‘Christian World View.’
Scout211
O/T, but Open Thread:
Should we all just move to Spain?
grammypat
@Sandia Blanca: I can certainly get her to you, but the rest probably cannot be worked out in time. Thx,Pat
A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)
@Scout211: As a Californian, I second the suggestion to use I-5 as opposed to CA 99.
grammypat
@something fabulous: I see nothing about cabin vs cargo. Unheated cargo is out of the question. Even for a Maine Coon!
grammypat
@Sans Simian: Thanks for the offer. I’ve told “caring & sensitive” that, while I’m closest to Austin and San Antonio (I’m in Wimberley), I’m willing to take her to Dallas or Houston, if necessary.
grammypat
I’m having trouble keeping up with all of the comments. Little Girl* is worth the effort.
Princess
Maybe caring and Grammy already have this covered, but one of them needs to figure out which shots/paperwork are needed to bring a cat across the border into Canada. It would be awful to get her there and not be able to get her through until you scramble for a vet.
Anne Laurie
Can’t help with driving, obviously, but I’m in for $100 if air transport turns out to be the best way!
Sandia Blanca
@grammypat: You might check with San Simian, who posted a few comments above, as an alternate Austin participant. I’d be happy to chip in for transport costs. Thank you for rescuing this sweet kitty.
grammypat
@Princess: From what I’ve seen on the Canadian website either a copy of her rabies vaxx AND a vet certificate are required. OR only a rabies certificate.
I’ve asked “caring & sensitive” to clarify but he’s been unable to participate tonight. He may have been otherwise occupied when the bat-signal went up.
He’s prepared to cross the border to pick her up, so I assume he will get accurate info.
grammypat
@Anne Laurie: Bless you. Not “bless your heart” but thank you and may the assorted deities look kindly on the offer.
Devon
J.G. Should adopt her for Steve and a wedding gift for Joelle?
grammypat
@Devon: Don’t even go there. He’s had his chance since mid-January and is the cause of my ulcer.
Leslie
It would be good if we could work something out with one of the pet transport companies. Either way, I can chip in for a flight, or possibly do a leg of the California driving if we end up going that way. (Driving availability will depend on the dates.) I hope we can make this happen quickly, since bebe kitteh is outside.
grammypat
@Leslie: I’m hoping to hear from “caring & sensitive” soon regarding all of the different transport ideas.
Yeah, outside is no bueno because coyotes are a problem (along with an inbred, diseased, feral clowder) in this area. That’s why I’ve become increasingly frantic to get her into a forever home.
Dan B
@grammypat: I’ve picked up cats at the airport, SeaTac, and they were all fine – no signs of trauma. I believe they are in a heated and pressurized area because cargo is not. The handlers at the airport were wonderful with the cats. They care.
Steeplejack
It was years ago, but I successfully shipped my two cats from Atlanta to San Francisco and back via Delta Dash. Very pet-friendly and good service (temperature-controlled cabin, etc.). I haven’t Googled to see what their current status is, but that could be a possibility. I’d be in to help with expenses.
grammypat
@Dan B: Can you offer info on the carrier(s)? I assume that you are referring to the Seattle airport. If so, I would be a very easy pick up for him.
Dan B
@grammypat: Nothing about the cats we’ve picked up was cold even in midwinter. Airlines work to make sure pets are in comfort.
By contrast many days in a car with unfamiliar people would very likely be traumatizing. Very few cats like auto travel and many howl in terror. Ask your vet.
Dan B
@grammypat: Alaska and Alaska. Good airline. Ask them about how pets are housed on the plane. Both cats were unaccompanied and seemed totally unfazed. One owner was freaked out that something terrible was happening while the cat was airborne. It’s only a 2 hour drive to Bellingham. It took only ten or fifteen minutes to get the cat after we arrived, easy peasey.
grammypat
@dc: Getting back to earlier comments, yeah she’s gorgeous. Also, calm, self-confident, affectionate, has a tiny, quiet mew instead of a meow, purrs like a freight train, seem to be growing into her big paws, and, when inside, was remarkably well behaved.
I’m concerned that a jackal transporter will immediately fall in love like I did and she mysteriously doesn’t make it to Vancouver. ;-)
Dan B
@grammypat: Thank you for taking in Little Girl. She looks very content with yoyou. Melted my heart.
Kristine
Ready to kick in some $ when the time comes.
Me
Longtime lurker here. I lived in Seattle but moved to Houston recently. I’ve been to two meetups in Seattle. I’m willing take a leg out of Austin and head about 6 hours out. Love driving! I can only do weekends.
grammypat
@Dan B: You ain’t alone, brother. I’m heartbroken that her presence is so harmful to Mi’ja. She is confident enough that she’ll be mellow with anyone who treats her well. Driving her to be spayed was treated as an grand adventure. She did not exhibit any fear.
Thanks for the airline info. I wish that caring & sensitive were here to chime in. Hope he reads the thread when he can and we can plan from there.
RaflW
@Dan B: Minor note, but airliner cargo compartments are pressurized. The whole tube is (except behind a dome-shaped bulkhead aft of the rear galley or lavs, out to the tail). It’s easier to keep the shape of the vessel if it’s round (or oval). Think of inflating one of those long balloons that clowns make into dogs. If the balloon had a flat side, it’d distend weirdly, or need to be really strong.
Temperatures in the cargo bay are lower, though.
Anyway, carry on. I’d be able to drive a leg if it crossed Colorado, but this isn’t the time of year for that!
I did a cat drive from Denver to Santa Fe once for a friend, in summer. One cat stayed in the carrier in the back seat (door open the whole time, eyed warily when I’d add water to the dish inside) the whole time. The other I think lazed about the back seat. It was 22 years ago, so my memory is a bit fuzzy.
But I gather they were well acclimatized to car trips before I was briefly in charge of that leg. It was also the friends car, which likely made a huge difference in their familiarity/comfort.
grammypat
@Kristine: Thank you.
I should probably start some sort of list to keep track of the $ offers in case they are needed.
Come to think of it, the driving offers as well as the air suggestions should also be tracked.
This is all new. I’m a little overwhelmed. Jackals being jackals, I’m not surprised. Just befuddled.
Hoppie
Would be very happy to take her AUS to SEA at no cost, if that helps. Very flexible on schedule, only a few date constraints. Lovely kitten, reminds me of our Miranda.
grammypat
@Steeplejack: Thanks for the info. caring & sensitive mentioned a possible contact at Delta. If he’s able to read this post, that info may be helpful.
grammypat
@Hoppie: Whoa! Wait. What?
The entire trip by yourself? Why? Are you a long distance trucker? Or just bored and looking for excitement?
And what if you also fall in love and never make it? ;-)
CaseyL
If she flies to Seattle, or Portland, I’m good for picking her up and taking her to Bellingham.
Sister Golden Bear
I’m in the SF Bay Area, so Bakersfield to Sacramento (or Sac northwards towards Oregon) is a bit out of the way, but doable for me if no other jackals are available.
Hoppie
@grammypat:
Retired, and a cat lover, she reminds me so much of our Miranda.
Frequent flyer who has been itching to check out the new clubs in Austin and Seattle, plus “think of the miles” (frequent flyer joke)!
Plus, we have enough times flown kitties we not only know the ropes, but have an airline branded (DL) cat carrier. Happy to help if we can, but only to Seattle.
BTW, really enjoyed the time we went through Wimberley!
Salt Water
I can do Eugene/Springfield to Portland
grammypat
@CaseyL: caring & sensitive told me early in our conversations that if Little Girl* were somewhere on the west coast that he would drive to get her.
When he learned that she was in TX, we had to start looking at options. I assume that he would be okay with driving to anywhere in WA or OR. Even into CA.
Even though I cannot speak for him, I thank you for your offer.
grammypat
@Hoppie: Howse about a counter offer?
Unless and until we hear from caring & sensitive, you can have dibs on being Little Girl’s* new family. And … you get to give her a real name!
Wimberley is great as a tourist trap, but a bitch to drive into on personal business.
TXSwede
I live just north of Ft Worth and would be willing to take a leg if the route runs this way, or come to Austin to do the first bit. Would be happy to get well into New Mexico, at least.
I am available any time after Saturday morning.
(I see now that I may be overlapping with the offer “Me” made. Just let me know how I can help)
Hoppie
@grammypat: If C & S can’t take her, we’re in for sure. Otherwise, still happy to transport. (Email kittens(the usual symbol) fopaws.com with an address so we can send our Maine Coon’s pix.)
Bless you saving this kitty!
grammypat
@TXSwede: Sounds great. Will let you know when I know something.
BTW: Who is “Me”? At this point, I’m a punch-drunk misanthrope.
TXSwede
@grammypat: sorry, that is the nym I see on comment 84 out of Houston.
Good reminder there are a lot of Texas jackals! 🙂
grammypat
@TXSwede: OOPS! I missed that comment.
It looks like we’ve got the “out of TX” covered. The PNW has also been well-represented. There may be enough for Ariz to NorCal but, at this point, I’m not sure.
Dangerman
While I very much agree on heading west to Cali and I5’ing it in the Spring, doing it soon is the time of year for potential surprises. Tule fog is all kinds of no fun in the Valley. Also, I’ve been in ice storms from Redding to the border that run between unpleasant and you’re parked.
grammypat
@Dangerman: Thank you for that warning. I’ve been through the Valley (spring and fall) and have heard of Tule fog, but did not know of it’s implications for winter travel.
Unfortunately, Little Girl* is in need of relocation and cannot wait for the fog to lift. Hoodie’s offer is looking more and more attractive.
grammypat
@grammypat:
HoodieI meant Hoppie. It’s late, I’m calling it quits for now. I don’t to mornings (a la Annie Laurie) and must to attend to Mi’ja’s medical needs tomorrow afternoon.I’ll check back in the evening for developments.
Chris T.
I see there are already several offers for that leg, but I live in Bellingham (well, not quite in-the-city-of but basically same) and, being retired, can do a segment that ends here.
beckya57
I live in Tacoma, could help with getting her to Seattle or (gulp!) Bellingham if needed.
MazeDancer
In for transport.
But 32 hours in a car with strangers will be hard on a kitty. Flying in a plane much less so. Flew my cats cross country twice.
WaterGirl
@Hoppie: I have been in touch by phone with caring & sensitive, and I have sent an email message to the email address you use for Balloon Juice.
So please check that account, and if that’s not a real email address that you check, please let me know ASAP, either in this thread or by sending email to me – my nym @balloon-juice.com
Thank you!
BeautifulPlumage
Posting from Fri am thread:
Speaking of kitty relay, I live/ work near SeaTac so can pick up missy and deliver her north anywhere on I-5 as far as Bellingham if needed. My work lets me be flexible, so most anytime/day works.
Hoppie
@WaterGirl: You have mail.
grandmaBear
I wish I’d spoken up earlier, she’s a beautiful girl and I’d love to be on the list to take her if others don’t work out. I really don’t think she should be driven that distance. I had my late golden, Mac, flown on Delta from L.A. to Dayton and they were great. Documentation is necessary though, and a proper carrier. I think that’s a much more humane way to go if we can’t find someone to take her on board in a lightweight carrier. I’d chip in $50 toward someone’s airfare or however it’s decided to transport her.
WaterGirl
@grandmaBear: It’s looking like Hoppie will deliver fly with her for most of the distance to her new home.
Details not all set yet, but it’s looking good!
grammypat
@WaterGirl: You and C&S have mail
grammypat
@grandmaBear: Thanks for the offers.
I just informed WaterGirl and caring & sensitive that she has not show up for the past 3 days. We cannot plan or do much of anything until/if she returns.
If she does, I will certainly keep you in mind if the other avenues fall through. Lots of IF’s but you get the idea.