I have 10 days vacation; but we planned on being gone only 2 days and one night, all for the love of my cats. I asked my landlord, a good friend who likes cats, to look in on them and I gave him my voice mail for emergencies. I left plenty of food and water and litter. I cat-proofed the house. I did everything I could think of to forestall accidents.

I delayed leaving that morning to play with them and love them with babytalk and cuddles. They knew something was up with all the unaccustomed baggage and cots and bedrolls. Djoser hid and Amber got into everything and Sheba pretended disdain while complaining.

At last the car was loaded and we were ready to leave. I didn't see the cats. Oh, no! I had to find them to make sure one or more wasn't locked on the enclosed porch or shut up in my son's room. So I called and coaxed and Djoser came out of his hidey-hole under the TV console. All safe. We get to the car confident we have everything. Then I asked my son, "Do you have the long leash for the dog?" Yes, he has it... But he doesn't have the dog. Back to the house to get the dog. Finally, we are on our way just over 2 hours behind schedule. Not bad.

We left 9:10 am Monday; we got back 7:30 PM Tuesday. Djoser's strong, clever paws had gotten the front door open to the enclosed porch. Amber was waiting for me by the storm door with Djoser behind him. Sheba was sitting in the living room complaining. I dropped everything to pet them. Then I had to feed them their canned food they had missed for TWO WHOLE MEALS! They didn't look like they were starving. And a starving critter doesn't poop much. But their 2 litter pans were certainly filled up by someone very busy. Someone who didn't want to get his black paws in the muck to cover it up! I had to open all the windows and turn on all the fans. But it really didn't smell any worse than the smell on my son's clothes after riding a horse and stepping in you know what.

All in all, I thought the cats took our absence rather well considering we had never left them alone all night before. Until I went to bed. Right near the head of the bed next to where I lay my hand near my face, was a pile of up-chucked food. Convenient placement or accident? In the night with all the cats snuggled around me, Djoser up-chucked on my feet. He did the first pile and he did the uncovered poop. The other cats took the going away in stride. But I guess Djoser still feels insecure even after 6 years of love and security.

Today, Wednesday, I still haven't unpacked much. I am resting from my vacation labors and trying to catch up on my newsgroups. Maybe tonight I will get to see 6 hours of my soap operas. The cats have been outside and come back in to rest. Djoser is lying near his accustomed place at the foot of the bed while trying to disassociate himself from the stains of the night before! I still need to wash the bedding.

Copyright © Catherine Jo Sadler
August 31, 2000