My cat is the face that has launched a dozen angry phone calls.

It's time to PCS, which means, it's time to wade through red tape, phone calls and stacks of paperwork so tall that even the most organized spouses shudder at the thought. We've never moved with a small animal before and now I know why.

This is a royal pain in the tail.

Military families that PCS from Hawaii are sent back to the mainland on a number of contracted airlines. The flight you get is luck of the draw based on the amount of money the government is willing to splurge on your seat.

We were assigned an airline, that I am discovering, is among the least pet friendly. We will owe them close to $400 to ship my cat halfway to our destination. We then have to find someone to pick her up from cargo and board her until we can drive back across the country to pick her up. The other option we were given: leave the airport, rent a car, drive to the cargo area, pick up the cat, return to the airport, check the cat in again, go back through security and continue on to our final destination. Our layover is 1 hour and 10 minutes, at Washington Dulles. Superman wouldn't even try it.

I've fought. I've pleaded. I've begged. Families sent home on other carriers to other destinations can check their pets through the entire journey and pay a cool $125 and board, stress-free.

After two days and dozens of conversations with the transportation director, he finally told me, "Maybe it would be best if you just got rid of your cat."

It wasn't malicious. I don't think he particularly liked saying it. I think he was just pointing out the obvious. Our 11-pound ball of black fur was making my life, and everyone around me, miserable.

I would be a liar if I told you I hadn't considered it. Our cat, Porter, a rescue from the local pound has only been with us since August. At just under 2-years-old, she would adjust well to a move to another loving family on the island.

But my children, they would be heartbroken. And that is where sensibility looses the fight. Are we military? Yes. Are we used to giving up some of the niceties and normal perks that other families who don't move as often enjoy? Yes. But why does that mean my kids shouldn't have the pleasure of a childhood pet?

I'm beyond irritated by the unfairness of the situation. By pure luck of the draw we will end up spending hundreds, if not nearly a thousand dollars by the time we drive back to pick up the cat in D.C., to get her home. And that point, I still plan to fight.

But I also refuse to ditch her, as the Army suggests, because that would be the easiest course of action. It's not fair to her or my kids. No amount of money, or red tape, can change the love we have for our animals.

So back your bags, Porter. You're coming home with us. One way or another we'll make it work. And that is what Army leaders tend to forget. We always make it work.