Thanks all for advice and encouragement.

I did decide to move to a closer town, but it's still about 8-9 hours drive. Did a lot of heavy-duty "spring" (get my deposit back) cleaning over the week-end and the cats were so anxious and mystified.

Poor Wilbur (my younger furkid). A buddy brought his humongous white boxer over yesterday. Not in the house, just backyard. Kitties were looking out the window to the backyard. I threw this big stick for puppy, which he happily chased and brought back to me - about 15 times.
Well, when friend and puppy left, I went inside to tell Wilbur coast was clear and he could finally go outside. His tail was fluffed as big as his body! And it stayed that way for probably an hour! He wouldn't even go outside, which he's always whining to do.
It was rather comical, cause he never was in any danger.