What a crappy way to start the day, ChiKat.

The ex-Hugh Laurie singing was a much better way to start the day, and I highly recommend it.

saw smoke!!! I put the cat in his carrier

This amazes me. My cats would have been under the furniture or clawing and screeching. If my house ever caught fire, heaven forbid, I'd die of smoke inhalation trying to get my cats out.

They'd probably get themselves out through some tiny opening, and then sit on my grave licking their butts thinking, "Idiot. She died trying to herd cats."

They'd probably get themselves out through some tiny opening, and then sit on my grave licking their butts thinking, "Idiot. She died trying to herd cats."

This one sentence encapsulates the essence of cats.

Zenkitty, do you have them crate-trained? I haven't done any formal crate training with my cats, but I do leave their carriers out and open. Sammie and Harvey both play and nap in the carriers, at least sometimes. And then when it is time to take a cat somewhere, they don't get the auditory or visual cue, "Oh here comes the carrier, it must be time for a vet. trip", and it makes it a lot easier to dump 'em in the carrier and head out the door. It has also made it a lot easier the times when we've had tornado warnings, and I needed to take them into the basement.

It's the one thing about the cross-country drive that I'm dreading. Jack has never liked the crate, regardless of purpose. I'm thinking I'll hit the vet up for some kitty Valium before we hit the road.

Barb, two suggestions: get a towel or something that completely covers the carrier and drape it over it so they can't see out and feel more protected. This helped a lot the last time I had to take the cats on a long drive.

Also, maybe try feliway (kitty pheromones) spray for the carrier to calm him down.

Stay in and dry, Laura!

Nothing but a bit of wind here. She was downgraded to a tropical storm already. Looks like askye might get some weather though.

ChiKat, I didn't know that you lived in a college dorm.

Srsly. It totally felt like that this morning.

My cats would have been under the furniture or clawing and screeching.

My cat does not like his carrier, nor does he like the outside. But, he was also in a state of confused this morning. He was dead asleep when the alarm sounded and he really does not like loud noises. He started to run away when I pulled out his carrier, but he ran to the middle of the living room.

He was scared and shaking the whole time we were outside, poor noodle.

Barb, I don't know if this is possible, but on long car trips, I let my cat out of the carrier. He's fine in the car loose. He just lays down and sleeps on the backseat or he sits on the arm rest next to me.

I let my cat out of the carrier. He's fine in the car loose. He just lays down and sleeps on the backseat or he sits on the arm rest next to me.

I don't recommend this, since the #1 way injuries to animals happens when they are loose in the car, you have a little fender bender and your car door is opened by someone (or by the bump of the accident) the animal runs out into traffic. Our dog has a seat belt for just this reason.

Well, okay, maybe the reason is that I spoil my dog.

Will someone please make Monday go away?

I keep the cat in his carrier when we're in city traffic then open it up when we hit open highway.

the animal runs out into traffic

Yeah, that'll never happen. He's way too scared. I can open all 4 doors and he'd go under a seat.

Will someone please make Monday go away?

I second this.