I’ve mentioned this as a possibility before, but it’s official now. I will be moving to Lynden soon.
My current plan is to retain my condo here in Seattle. I will also get a place in Lynden, where I can be closer to my mom and help her arrange things and communicate. Thursday mornings I will drive to Seattle. I will spend the day here, and the evening mentoring. Then either Friday or Saturday, depending on social activities, I will drive back to Lynden.
I’m not sure what I’m going to do for Guinevere though. I don’t want to transport her back and forth. If she stays here and I get someone to feed her, she’ll be alone most of the week. If I take her to Lynden, I’ll have a harder time finding someone to feed her the couple of days I’m in Seattle since I don’t know as many people there. But there’s a chance I’ll rent a house, so she would be able to go outside again and have more room to roam around inside as well. Not to mention it’ll be fewer days alone. Another option is to find her a new home, whether a temporary foster home or permanent. Really don’t want to do that, as she’s been with me over a decade.
Hmm. I’m not terribly surprised. I’ll be sad to not have you closer by, but I am glad you’ll be able to be closer to your mom. Do you have a place lined up already? Or does the hunt begin now that the decision is made?
If I can be helpful in some way, let me know. I can certainly sign up for visiting Guenivere one day a week.
Hunt begins for a place tomorrow or Thursday. It shouldn’t be too hard because I’m not going to be too picky.
Good for you. This is a decision you’ll never regret, no matter how challenging it might be in the near term.
I don’t know what Guinevere is (assume she’s a … dog?). What is the downside of taking her back and forth with you?
Cat. If she were a dog I’d take her back and forth. Cats have more issues with being transported and have a harding time adjusting to new environments.
Ah, yes, that makes more sense. I would suggest she’d be far happier being wherever you are the majority of the time, which sounds like it’s going to be Lynden.
Does she have special food requirements? Our cats are free-fed; they can be left alone for a few days at a time (although they don’t love it, they are okay with it.) This wouldn’t work with a cat who needs to be fed at certain times of the day, or has other special dietary requirements.
Well, she’s been on canned food for a while. I dunno if there’s a way to do that with that. She isn’t on a schedule, other than she hates to be left hungry.
You could start offering her dry food now to go along with the canned. Just leave the dry food out and available at all times next to her water dish. She will probably still prefer the canned food (it’s like kitty crack) but she’ll nibble on the dry stuff here and there, and she won’t go hungry.
Great decision and good for you. Perhaps someone/a friend could ‘sublet’ the condo and take care of the cat duties, so she could stay in her familiar home-?-
Good on ya for doing this for your Mom.
I’d take the kitty to Lynden, since that’s where you’ll be most of the time. And is right on with the food advice- start giving her dry food now with the canned, then leave plenty of it out for her when you’re gone. And of course make sure there are a couple bowls of water or one of those watering fountain things so she has plenty to drink.
::hug::
Please keep telling your mama that you aren’t going to lose your friends during the time you are doing this. ‘Cause we aren’t going anywhere. This is the right call, and I’m glad you’ve made it.
~Aramada
My advice is to take your cat to Lynden, where you’ll be most of the time. She’ll be happier with you.
Cats can also do fine being left alone for a couple of days so long as their food & water are full, and the litter box is clean.
She won’t love it, but she won’t die either.
You could also try taking her back and forth with you. I know many cats hate being in the car, but some don’t mind it. I used to commute with my cat and while I wouldn’t say she got excited about the car like a dog, she did seem to enjoy looking out the window at the world going by. I kept her in a harness on a leash that I clipped into one of the back passenger seatbelts so she couldn’t get under my feet. That gave her room to roam, or sleep, her favorite spot seemed to be on the back ledge where she could lay and look at things.
This sounds like a very good decision.
I would try taking G. with you once or twice to see how she does. If she doesn’t travel well, then I’d take her to Lynden, as others have suggested.
I know this is a tough thing to do, but I really respect your decision to be there for your Mom.
My parents would do a good job of taking care of your cat