Sophie's World

Much to Sophie’s delight, we are back from our vacation. We had a marvelous time. According to the pet sitter, Sophie did well too. She received plenty of attention and was fed regularly. What more can a cat want? She’s not a super traveler, so a 7-hour car trip was out. I’m not entirely sure how she would take to flying. So, she stayed home.

Sophie can be a needy cat. She was a rescue, after all. She’s a bit predictable after a vacation. Like most cats, she hates a disruption to her routine. She likes her meals at a set time. She wants me on the couch to cuddle at the designated time. So, when we returned, she had a lot to say.

Perhaps your own pet is like Sophie. I’m not sure if it’s her history or what, but it takes her awhile to ease back into her routine. She is more needy than ever for the first few days. She wants to be held a great deal. Maybe this sounds familiar to you too. To help her transition back to having you around again, take the time to bond again with your pet. Spend extra time combing or brushing your pet. Extra cuddle time is also appreciated.

While we realize our trip is short, it can be interpreted differently by your pet. Making up the lost time can be a great bonding experience for you and your pet.

Tomorrow, I’m going on vacation to one of my most favorite places ever, Door County, Wisconsin. It’ll be 10 days with virtually no cell phone coverage, peace and quiet, and plenty of time to reconnect with my husband and my family.

That’s the plus side of it. On the down side, Sophie is staying home alone. Taking her is really not an option. She travels OK, but I don’t see her doing all right in a tent. In the past, I have boarded her at a vet clinic. I speak from experience: this is not the way to go. Avoid boarding in a kennel situation at all costs. Caging a cat goes against everything that a cat is. IMHO, it is cruel. Cats are not that adaptable. Rather, cats enjoy a routine. Disruptions to the usual are viewed with the up most disdain, to say nothing of the stress. In good conscience, I could not board my Sophie ever again.

Instead, for the last few years, I’ve hired a pet sitter. My pet sitter is part of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. She is local. She is bonded. On the practical side, someone is visiting my house every day. There’s a feeling of security in that. My mail, if not stopped, is being checked. My plants are watered. It’s a good set up for me. For Sophie, the benefits are huge.

She stays home where her bed is, where her backyard birdie friends hang out, where her own food dish is. The disruption of her routine is minimal. For me, I have the satisfaction of knowing that someone is looking in on her. She is getting attention and love every day, even if it isn’t from her first choice. Her routine is still in her routine.

I encourage all pet owners to explore having a pet sitter call as an option. The benefits exist for both the owner and the pet. If you must be away, won’t you feel more comfortable knowing that your pet is getting one-on-one attention?