sean’s place

Moving Tricks

Moving is extremely hard work. Moving out of state, say, from California to Colorado, is even harder. Take, for example, the logistics of renting a moving truck, finding a cat friendly hotel to stay at a mid-way point, and flying your moving buddy back out to California.

Note to self: rent moving truck, find cat friendly hotel, and get plane ticket for Myles.

No big deal. I can handle it. I hope.

Speaking of cats, this brings me to a trick I’ve been meaning to try. In the past, whenever I’ve taken the cats to the vet, I’ve had a dickens of a time getting them into their carrier. They know what it looks like, they know that it means a nauseating 15 minute ride in darkness, and they know that it will most likely involve some sort of anal probing. Suffice it to say, they hate it.

Knowing the only safe way to transport them to my new place in Colorado will mean their temporary incarceration in their carrier, I will have to change their minds.

Idea #1: recast the cat carrier as a haven of safety instead of a cold plastic transport to an anal thermometer. To this end, I tucked the carrier behind the recliner, padded it with old clothes, topped it with pillows to create darkness and seclusion, and left it to be explored on my cats’ terms.

So far, it seems to be working. Almost immediately, Max and Alex checked out freshly remodeled cat carrier and even poked around in it a bit. Several days later, it’s become a regular napping ground for Alex; in fact, she (if you have forgotten, her name is short for Alexandra) picks that spot to nap whenever I’m watching TV. I think I’ve even caught Max(ine) and Alex sharing a few zzz’s in there together.

So far so good. When I do finally move, I hope this will lull them into a false sense of security when I unceremoniously deposit them in their box and haul their cute little butts across the country.