I am back from my conference. But before leaving, I had to take the cats to my Mum's to stay. On Tuesday evening, my sister came to give me and the cats a lift to my Mum's. She called at six, saying she would be there in half an hour.

With my experience of cats and carriers, I thought it best to start preparing in good time. Of course, I had taken out the carrier a week in advance, because Frank hates it so much, he stays well away from me for a couple of days after I get it out. Now it was standing in the middle of the floor, all ready with the door open.

Frank was begging for food, so he was jumping on and off the counter. When he was standing on the counter, screaming at me, I grabbed him. I walked toward the carrier, and Frank miraculously grew ten extra feet and five tails, started fighting me to get free and scratching me. Some of the million claws he had grown grabbed my back over my shoulder.

Never has he fought me that hard when I have put him in the carrier. This time he was really hysteric, and I am surprised his screams didn't bring the neighbours running to see why I was torturing at least ten cats.

I finally got Frank bundled in, pushing back the occasional head or paw that broke free, and slammed the door shut. Of course, by now, Nikki had vamoosed. One completely invisible kitty. Luckily for me, the little hog fell for the old "never mind Frank in the carrier, come and have a treat all by yourself in peace and quiet and Mummy won't touch you" trick. I rattled the tin and she came running. So I gave her a treat, and while she was chewing it, I picked her up.

Nikki immediately miraculously grew ten feet etc., and now I had to maneuver her into the carrier without letting Frank out (they have a big carrier for both of them, so that I will have at least one hand free when I am travelling with them). Well, finally they were both in there.

Then Frank started screaming his usual "why have you locked me in this dungeon? Look, everyone, how this woman tortures poor little me" scream, while Nikki started scratching the floor of the carrier to dig her way out. Frank screamed all the way in the car, but fortunately, it is only a 15 minute drive. Of course, Frank tried to make us believe he was suffocating during that short time.

At my Mum's Nikki started purring the minute I set down the carrier and started opening the door. Frank walked around inspecting the place before he grudgingly gave his approval, "OK this is the place where there is much more room to run around and there is that chair that I love to scratch. And chances are the hoomin gives us bits of meat, which we never get at home. This will do."

Yesterday I got back from Holland, and I went straight to my Mum's from the airport. Frank was so lovely! When I came in the door he raced towards me yowling. He jumped up on the hall table and purred and headbutted me like a madcat. When I went in and sat down in a chair, he jumped in my lap (which he never does at home) and purred and purred and rubbed himself all over me.

Nikki was cool and barely said hello. I stuffed them in their carrier (not as difficult as the last time) and took them home. Tonight Nikki curled up beside my head to sleep and purred in my ear. I guess she was quite happy, too.

Copyright © Marina Kurten
March 26, 2001