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.

We're going to have the dogs as well-- it might work, since they're very used to each other and the dogs think Jack's a funny looking dog or Jack thinks they're strangely large cats (we're not sure, but end result is, they all get along) but this is easily going to be the longest trip we've ever taken with all of the pets. I'll talk to the vet about it. She might have some ideas.

So, last night I purchased a blue Betta fish for my class, and a small tank, and today I took him into school and after a democratic vote the kids elected to go with my suggestion of Bruce (as in Bruce Lee and Bruce Wayne, and indeed 'Finding Nemo', and not so much Bruce Willis, as we're hoping to avoid the fish from Dying Hard).

Last week's 4 day residential trip to Chantaburi with 25 kids in tow was awesome. Much fun, much learning, no badness (well, other than a couple of kids barfing on the bus, poor buggers, but that's par for the course, yeah?).

Anyone got any particular tips on Betta care from their own experience? I've been reading MASSES online about how to try to keep them from expiring (for I have something of a fishslaying reputation...) but would appreciate any first-hand tips!

Meanwhile, people with young daughters - how gorgeous are these Steampunkish ensembles?

(In other mememe news, I'm up to my neck in report writing and rehearsals for Blood Brothers. Fun fun fun!)

Oh! I know what I was going to ask! So, for the people who know about Sound Design things - is there any way that I/you/one can extract the vocal bit from an MP3 recording? Or is that crazy talk? 'Cause I'm vaguely wanting to direct a production of Doctor Horrible's Singalong Blog for the Fringe next year, and I did write to them and ask about rights, and it's something like a hundred dollars or something, but they warned that there aren't any copies of sheet music or what have you to be had. And I'm strongly doubting that you can just buy the music sans vocals. Any thoughts on how one might achieve it, in order to give people backing tracks?

there aren't any copies of sheet music or what have you to be had

If you know someone musically talented, they could write out the music just by hearing it. I'm not that person, but I have a friend who can do that.