Update from the In-Between (And a Bold Request)

I thought the hardest part would be moving countries. It turns out, the hardest part is waiting to find out if I can bring my whole little family with me.

Hi everyone,

A little update—and then, a bold request.

As many of you know, we’re in the midst of a big move to Dubai. While some of that has already happened (Gary’s been there for a few months now), I’m still in Toronto. So when you kindly remember this transition and see that I haven’t left yet, the obvious question tends to be:

“When are you leaving?”

The honest answer? I don’t know.

Dash & Juno, professional snugglers

I haven’t left because I’m doing everything I can to bring my two cats with me—and while one of them has been cleared to fly, the other hasn’t.

The UAE has some of the strictest entry requirements in the world—including for pets. Vaccinations and bloodwork are timed precisely around travel dates, and unfortunately, Dash (my 11-year-old adopted Russian Blue) just failed his second rabies titre test.

To be clear: Dash doesn’t have rabies. He’s an indoor cat who’s only ever left the house for vet visits. But this particular test measures his immunity levels—just in case—and his results didn’t meet the UAE’s standards. Because his immune response is lower than ideal, he’s considered at potential risk of contracting and spreading the disease, even if the odds are slim.

These tests are only done in a specialized lab in Kansas (yes, the U.S.!), and each round takes 6–8 weeks to process. We’ve been stuck in a pattern of vaccinate, wait, test, wait again—only to be told it’s not enough.

When he failed the second test, our vet—who has been incredibly kind and generous—offered us another option: try a different type of vaccine (safe for cats, though designed for dogs), wait again, then test one last time. She’s even minimizing the cost for us, knowing we’ve already spent thousands of dollars just trying to get our fur babies ready to move.

But here’s the harder part: if Dash doesn’t pass this third and final test, we’ll have to make a heartbreaking decision—to rehome both cats.

We couldn’t possibly separate them. Dash and Juno have been bonded for over ten years, and they are each other’s shadows. If we can’t bring them with us, we’ll find a home where they can stay together—and thankfully, my amazing aunt has offered to take them both. I’m unbelievably grateful for that lifeline. If this is how things unfold, they’ll be deeply loved and cared for.

But I’m not giving up on my dream yet. I’m doing everything I can to keep our little family together. Yes, these two fur monsters are our family—independent, spoiled, snuggly, and incredibly loved.

There’s a lot I can’t control right now, and I’ve been using every ounce of my personal development training just to be with the unknown. I’ve cried, worried, accepted, resisted, and shared. And I’m learning—again—that holding space can be challenging. But it makes a huge difference.

So here’s my bold request:

Would you be willing to send us some love? Hold a little intention, a little space, a little magic, that Dash passes his test and we’re reunited soon?

I’ll share an update in early July when the results come in.

If you’ve read this far—thank you. For being here. For being in my life.

With Love,
Sabrina (proud cat mom)

If you believe in sending good energy, Dash could really use a little right now!