Alan Bleiweiss – Alan's Great Adventure

Made a big decision today.  For weeks, the only big concerns I had were whether I’d find a place I could enjoy being at and moving 1,000 miles with Pumpkin.  When the apartment concern was addressed, it added further concern about her.

Here, she’s had six rooms with window views, lots and lots of space to run freely about, and lots of spaces to explore and wander.  She’s had a half-dozen other cats to keep her focus as well as daily visits from squirrels, birds, and even raccoons.

The new place is 1/3 the size, with the only window looking out onto the rooftop of the building next door.  The other issue has been brewing longer.  When I travel it’s typically for a week at a time – several times a year.  I tried the cat-sitter thing, and this last trip a friend came by several times to feed her, play with her…

Every time though, when I get back, she’s left the place a mess and goes absolutely nuts when I get back, like she’s starving for attention and loving.  And she’s extra-worried for a day or more, like I’ll just up and leave again.

If she ever got loose here, she’d be in a neighborhood with lots of other cats and animals.  In Santa Monica, it’s nothing but chaotic city streets everywhere.  Lots of traffic all day, every day….

When I thought about driving, it seemed like a big deal – to keep her couped up in her carrier for three days in the car, or more likely, the passenger seat of a u-haul, then to have to sneak her into some unknown hotel room each night during the trip, with litter and all the rest…

And more than one person I spoke with who did the drive said their cat got loose and either disappeared forever, or was gone for hours and hours…

So I researched flying. Which also made more sense given my decision that it would cost the same to buy new furniture down there as to move all my existing furniture, and I’m not keeping my car…

And after a LOT of footwork, I got a lot of very different opinions.  On both sides of the “she’ll be fine” vs “cat’s never been the same since..” coin.

Some cats can handle it, and some cats apparently have never been the same after a long flight.  She’s too big for an in-plane carrier so would need a special TSA approved carrier and need to go into the cargo area.

Some people say its okay to get her a tranquilizer and others, including some vets, say its not a good idea – that the flight can be either too traumatic or cause physical harm depending on the cat.

Given the entire weight of all the above considerations, I finally prayed last night – because I was becoming overwhelmed with worry. It was literally making me sick.

After praying again this morning, I posted an ad on Craigslist seeking a loving home for her.  And decided that if I got no responses I’d just need to trust it would work out with the move.

Within a half hour of posting the ad and several photos, I got contacted.  Exchanged a couple emails then phone call with someone who saw the ad and has been hoping to find a cat that fits her personality and her and her husband’s ideal type of cat.  They then came over and spent a bunch of time with Pumpkin, who immediately warmed up to them both.

And in that process, as we talked and I got to feel out how they were as people, I knew it was the best decision for everyone – Allison, the wife, used to have a cat just like her – a tuxedo.  Many of the same personality traits.

And they have the ideal home environment for her as well.  Everything about this was a prayer answered.  So as painful as it was to do this, I just went with my on the spot feelings that it was a healthy decision to make all around.

I’m going to miss her a great deal.  She’s provided me hours upon hours of companionship, laughter, comfort, love.  She’s been my bud, my pal, my adorable little princess…

I’m crying now, because I’m sad.  Yet I know in my heart that she’s going to a truly loving home where it’s more stable for her, and will allow her to have the continued space and views and love she needs and deserves…