I'm planning on taking the cats to Otter Lake with me for the summer. That will mean driving straight through because I don't want to have to deal with them and hotels. Still working out the logistics. If they do go with me then I'll take them to the vet up there. Means getting a carrier too, although they do have harnesses and leashes although I never tried to use them. Oh well, I have the rest of the month to figure it out.

Laura, I've found that when traveling with cats, sedatives are your friend. Sedatives for the cats, I mean.

It took three tries to get Bally to the vet for her vaccinations. We finally had to close all the doors and set out a hard sided carrier, then chase her around until she ran into the carrier. She was under anesthesia for the exam and vaccinations themselves. (I must admit, it was extremely cute, the way her tongue stuck out while she was under.)

Driving straight through seems like an awfully long drive! Yikes.

We should be able to make the trip in 24 hours. We stop every couple hours to stretch. I have a large crate that the dog uses as his home. I'd take out the dog's stuff and put the cat bed in the center, food and water on one side and the litter box on the other. They are piggies, but I don't really expect them to eat on the trip, particularly since they will be dosed with something. Still working it out, but I think in the bed of the truck with a tarp over the top for shade would work.

They are very chill cats. I leave the door open to the yard and they don't ever take off anywhere. They come when I call them. When their previous owner brought them to me she just had them both loose in the car for the 45 minute trip. Then carried them inside in her and her daughter's arms with no carriers. They were fine.

They could stay in Florida for the summer as my son would take care of them here, but I think they will like it in the woods. I just hope they don't catch and bring me home chipmunks! I would keep them inside a week or so before I let them out up there. I have a screened in porch where they could sit on the windowsills and watch the world go by, but I am not sure the screens would survive.

We'll see. Still working it out in my head.

Jesse, for years I always drove straight through. With 2 drivers it isn't bad. When I was younger I would drive straight through alone! The key is frequent stops, at least every two hours, less is I feel the need. A few minute walk around a rest area to stretch makes a big difference. One driver naps while the other drives, then switch.

I've found a summer home for the Buffista island/compound people. [link]

sj, I hope you feel better soon. Yay clothes, Dana!

There is very little that a pill will fix that is worth the drama and trauma of trying to pill my cat. Luckily he's been pretty healthy and well traveling for me so far. But he's getting older, so I foresee many a health-related tradeoff in our future.

Ahhh, I leave for France today! I am eating some breakfast and about to hopefully go get my hair cut (the sides need to be buzzed—normally I do that at home, but I didn't bring my trimmer with because it seemed excessive). I'm so not prepared for this trip, but I'm trying to not worry about that—I have made no plan, done almost no research, bought no tickets, etc.

Sounds like an adventure, have fun!

Bon voyage, meara!

Enjoy, meara! Say hi to France for me, I miss it.