The Savannah Signal Final Issue 2011
Our Cats 101 Trip
As experienced by Joyce Pierce and her cat Aurora
What do you do or think when you get that phone call asking you to fly to New York with a cat, all expenses paid, for a filming of Cats 101? My initial response is one of doubt. When I first spoke to Dawn Wolfe, Stu- dio Animal Trainer and Talent Coordinator, it is fair to say I was skeptical. This crazy woman says a produc- tion company for animal planet is going to pay my air fare; put me in a pet friendly hotel; and take me to dinner and see that I have everything I need for two and a half days so that a cat can be filmed for Cats 101.
If you ever get that call – say yes! Aurora, my Chee- toh, and I had a great time. This may not be the dream of every cat out there, but it was Aurora‘s. From the time I brought her home she has sashayed around the house, preened in the windows, and has given us the most diva like meows as a response to anything we say. She knew she was destined for fame.
Yes, when the reservation confirmations came I got on line and double checked. Aurora practiced long periods of time in an airline approved soft sided crate, walking in a harness, and looking beautiful. After a few days I called the airline and hotels, and again confirmed that everything was set and al- ready paid for. Aurora felt she had mastered the crate, still walked like she had been drinking in a harness, and looked beautiful. I had to pay at the airport for the ―pet in cabin‖ fees but figured if that fee, food, and supplies was all it cost me this still would be a cool adventure. Two days before we left I was finally convinced.
Aurora never doubted our adventure, she com- plained in the crate while being carried into the airport; she wasn‘t real crazy about coming out with a harness on…but being the center of atten- tion? People went nuts, surprisingly calm and quiet nuts, but she was oohed and ahhed over every time she came out. The sashay and ever sexy slink were on overdrive. After take-off she
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www.savannahcatclub.com settled into her blankets and never made a peep.
Dawn met us at the airport, took us to a pet supply and bought us litter. She already had a nice big crate and a cat box. She would have bought food of my choosing as well, but I already had it packed in my suitcase. We got checked into our hotel and settled in for a rest while we waited for some other breeders and cats to get into town. All the people got to go to a nice restaurant for dinner, and back to the hotel for a quiet evening because we had to get up early the next morning to head to the studio.
After a stop for coffee, no- I didn‘t even have to pay for that, we were off Friday morning. I was excited and wound up, Aurora had a beauty nap. At the stu- dio we sat in a large waiting room until it was our turn in the studio. While filming, Dawn assured that Aurora was treated well and no toys or props were introduced without my consent. Dawn showed a lot of respect for owners there while trying to get the producer all the shots they wanted for the segment. Aurora got a little mad about having to stay on the set- there were more people and cool things to look at off the set.
The only snag on the trip home was at the airport when I had Aurora out on the leash and was ap- proached by a group of Airport Security. Darn, I fig- ured I was about to be told she had to be in her crate while in the baggage area. Turned out they all wanted to know if they could pet her, and hear about her breed.
Oh yes, within two weeks I had a reimbursement from the studio for Aurora‘s in cabin fee I had paid the airlines. It really didn‘t cost me a dime, Aurora is a TV model for her breed, and we had a great time.
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