“They say” that dogs are people oriented, and cats identify with places. I guess that makes sense. Unless, of course, you happen to have a cat like my orange tabby Alvin.
Alvin is totally people oriented. He follows me from room to room as I go about my day, in the kitchen for meals, in the office during work time, hanging out in the rec room while I ride the exercise bike or watch TV. And don’t even get me started on his penchant for companionship while I’m in the bathroom!
Knowing he’s so attached to “his people,” I decided to see how he’d adapt to coming with me on overnight road trips.
You think packing for a baby is tough? Try adding a litter box to your kid’s go bag. Litter box, and litter! After that, the rest of the stuff is rather routine. Food, water, a few toys, his favorite comfy cat bed, and you’re pretty much set.
Turns out Alvin travels well in his “Pet Taxi” (never, ever, use the word Cage!), although he sure lets me know when the roadway has rough spots. I tell him it’s not my fault, but he gets pretty vocal around Quartz Creek on Highway 26.
Adjusting to a new place takes him no time at all. He just finds my lap, and he’s “home”—just like right now, when he’s crawled behind me in my office chair, scrunching into a cozy place as close as he can get to me.
I won’t profess to read my cat’s mind, but since he sleeps most of the drive away, I wonder if he thinks his Pet Taxi is some kind of Kitty Transporter? He climbs in, takes a nap, and awakens in another location, just like magic!
Beam me up, Alvin!