Moving with Cats - part 1 of many

We are embarking on a Great Adventure, moving from the very trendy life of San Francisco to the slightly crunchy life of Boone - in the mountains of NC. I will not go into the virtues of either life style since there is a time and a place for everything. It is now my time to return to the roots I wish I had.

I intend to chronicle this move to share with friends and family, to help me remember how painful moving really is (since I tend to move every few years) and to share with those that are facing a move.

We moved to San Francisco in October of 2004, about 6 1/2 years ago. We down-sized significantly from a sprawling house in Chapel Hill to fit into about a much smaller space in San Fran. The kids were grown so it was just us and the pets; Pebbles, an elderly but ferocious Yorkshire Terrier and 2 cats. R and I took the cats out first by airplane in the cabin. We gave them tranquilizers from the vet and they were quiet in their little Sherpa bags under the seats. I thought things were OK, but they were REALLY traumatized. It took about 3 weeks before they would eat and drink and use the litter box. I thought they were going to die. I went back and finished packing and loading the truck, and brought Pebbles out in one of the Sherpa bags. Although the trip was stressful for her, she was much calmer. I don't think I tranquilized her.

Pebbles past away after a long and well-loved life and now we are faced with moving back with 2 somewhat mature cats. Janet is 17 and is a very dignified, but intolerant cat. Pinky is 15, has always been insane and is becoming more unstable as she gets older. Neither one really wants to move I think.

I've been trying to picture putting them on airplanes and moving them back, but just can't see it having a good ending, so we have decided to opt for the ...

Romantic Cross-Country Drive with Cats.

Janet

Pinky