POTPURRY
by Connie Condit
I was supposed to spin a whale of a yarn about how to travel from Washington, DC to Denver with 13 cats and a German Shepherd in one station wagon», so guess I’d better do it!
To make it short and sweet, I simply loaded the lot of them in, climbed into the driver’s seat and announced in my most authoritarian tones, «Everyone sit down and shut up; we’re going to Denver!» They did; we did; and here we are. It was that simple … sorry..
Actually, I had prepared for the possibility of squabbles and had two shipping crates set up on the cargo deck if needed. Those two crates were well used … at least 6 cats sleeping on them all the time. I put the food and water inside so Heidi (the Shepherd) wouldn’t step in them, In addition I had a litter box back by the tailgate, two baby seats over the right front seat and rugs on the floor in front and on and under the rear deck. So there were plenty of places for everyone to sleep, which they did most of the time.
Fortunately, I have a kind hearted, tolerant, cat loving Mother who lives in Illinois, She offered mótel facilities so that was taken care of. We stayed there four days with the whole troop confined to my bedroom and neighbors by the dozens trooping in to see the Maine Coon Cats.
The nearest thing to an «adventure» was when it occured to mě that I hadn’t seen or heard Charlibrown for nearly two hours since the last coffee stop. I almost pushed the panic button Charli is the only one who squirts through a door like greased lightning. To my relief, he was sacked out under the rear deck, not for those of you who would like to have a similar uneventful trip with your cat (or cats) here are some travel tips.
Start traveling with your cat when he or she is a baby. Don’t think you must cage him… he’ll never learn to enjoy a ride shut up in a box. Let him explore, but keep a water pistol handy and condition him to the idea that crawling around the driver means wet ears! He’ll soon learn,
Keep a litter box available in the car. I also keep a bowl of dry food and water on the rear deck. While most of mine don’t eat except when the car is stopped, Abner and Kim Chee would eat on a roller coaster.
When you stop at a motel, be honest; tell the manager that you have a cat or cats and assure him you are prepared to prevent damage … carry a couple of old sheets to put on the bed and the overstuffed chair, and papers for under the food, water, and litter pans proof the place before you bring in the kids. By that, I mean secure lamps etc. that might get knocked over and close any unscreened windows. The bathroom is the best place for the kitty pans. I’ve never been turned away yet … even when I had four cats and the dog with me.
Incidentally, most cats will stay quietly in a motel room while you go to dinner. However, most dogs will panic when left alone in a strange place, so take Fido with you.
Don’t travel in hot weather unless you have either an air-cond itioned car or very secure window screens. When you do stop to get out, be sure you know where puss is before you open the door. The water pistol comes in handy on these occasions too your head out and open door equals wet ears. … sticking
Do have I.D. tags on collars on all the troops, cat or dog, Then if someone does go A.W.O.L., you stand a fair chance of getting him back.
Do carry a plastic jug of water, some «Handiwipes» and/or paper towels. Accidents will happen. Most cats seem to ride well but some don’t. All of mine do fine except Seth Parker. He got miserably car sick and drooled all over everything. Next time, I’ll be prepared. My veterinarian tells me Darbazine takes care of this problem very well and doesn’t make pussy drunk or sleepy. Do take at least a few cans of puss’s favorite foods, and if you have spoiled brats like mine à cooler of ice with the special treats will keep peace in the family. Kim Chee couldn’t survive without his bit of chicken and I couldn’t survive without Abner’s liver.
Do take along a secure harness (not the dog-type) and long (25 50 feet) light nylon line with leash snaps. Then when you stop for a coffee break at a roadside rest area, puss can get out and stretch too. (I didn’t try this with 13!)
Do expect puss to enjoy the trip, and he will and so will you, because he’s with you … not sitting in a kennel cage feeling deserted.
Merry Christmas to all of you from the troops at Heidi-Ho. That reminds me, if you want your fur footed friend to keep paws off the Christmas tree, try spraying it with snow. It works at my house. (The stuff stinks!)
Connie