Feeling SO guilty!

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

I am off on vacation on Tuesday, for three weeks, and for the first time in her spoiled little life Ally has to go into a Cattery!

My regular sitter used to live two houses away, but has now moved 15 minutes away, and has unreliable transport - so I really have NO CHOICE but I feel like such a bad Meowmie!

I went and checked the place out yesterday - each cat has her own large enclosure, with a big window to look outside, a couple of sheves to climb, and plenty of space for her scratching post etc. (The enlcosures have interleading openings (for multi-cat families) which can be opened or closed, and as it is not fully booked Ally will have a couple of inter-connected enclosures to explore and play around in. The building is totally air conditioned (temperatures are around 100 degrees here and climbing). They also (of course) took all my contact details, and I filled in a huge form with all Allys details, likes / dislikes etc. (They have promised that if she doesnt eat they will buy whatever her favourite "treat food" is - in Ally's case it is Ham). The enclosures were spotless, as were the litter boxes, and they only get premium cat food and bottled water. BUT I STILL FEEL SO GUILTY!!!

I just KNOW that when I drop her off on Tuesday I am going to be a total BASKET CASE!!!:(

[Cataholic]

Oh, I know you will be sad, but, the facility sounds wonderful. Can you take a towel or t-shirt with your scent on it to comfort her? Have you tried 'telling' her that you are going, but, will be coming back? Good luck, and enjoy your vacation.

[Barbara]

The place where she goes sounds wonderful. Cataholic's idea is good -give her something that smells like you.....
Although my cats can stay home when I'm away I feel guilty. But I think they accept it just as it is .....
I wish you a great holiday. Where are you going? As I have just seen a desert with temperatures in the 100s I think you will go to a greener place?

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Originally posted by Barbara
I wish you a great holiday. Where are you going? As I have just seen a desert with temperatures in the 100s I think you will go to a greener place?

You are 100% correct!! We are meeting up with my in-laws in London, and going on a 12-day cruise around Europe, then spending a few days in St Andrews playing golf (my hubby plays - I just walk the beautiful GREEN courses and take loads of photos!

Can't wait to see something other than brown dust!:) I just wish we had one of those Catterys like I read about on the internet - they have webcams and you can log on and watch your cat from anywhere!!!:D

I have a special "lap blanket" which I put on my lap and then Ally lies on it whilst we watch TV - I will be packing that for her to snuggle......

[boscibo]

I felt guilty leaving my cats on my recent vacation - even though the cats were staying at home with Jeff. I missed them terribly. I couldn't talk Jeff into it (he is not a computer person at all - he can email, check sports scores and shop, but that's it) but I wanted him to take pictures of the animals and upload them for me to see while I was gone. Does the cattery owner have a digital camera and email/website capability? I think that would be great even if they don't have a webcam, and could greatly ease your fears.

[IttyBittyKitty]

It sounds like Ally kitty is going to have a holiday of her very own! That cattery sounds wonderful, I am sure she will be fine. Cataholic's idea is very good - also take along as many of kitty's regular things as possible, such as feeding bowls, toys, scratching post, litter trays etc. so that she doesn't feel like she's too far away from home.

Enjoy your holiday!!