Being on holiday is one of my most valued activities, it allows me to create new experiences, be a more relaxed version of myself and to create memories I'll carry forward and recall at some later point. Drawing on valued memories makes my present happier and inspires me to keep paddling to keep my head above water in those moments I'm in peril of sinking.
There's a downside to travelling though and that's how much I miss my cats.
I only have one now, the lovely Cleo whom you see pictured nestled between my legs above; she is an incredibly important part of my life. I speak to her more than most humans and like her more than most humans. Maybe you'd need to have the same relationship with a pet to understand.
Cleo, and the cats I've had in the past, Merlin, Gemmi and Dixie, have always seemed to know when I'm about to travel. They get clingy, as if they want to soak up as much me as they can before I leave, or maybe cause me not to leave.
Merlin used to jump into my suitcase as I was packing and refused to move so I'd just pack clothes around him smile and talk to him; I didn't mind, he could get away with anything. Cleo did the same prior to this trip and I stopped packing, picked her up and we cuddled. I spoke softly to her and she talked back in her own way. We do this a lot, cuddle and talk, but it felt different knowing I'd not see her for a couple of weeks.
Travelling always fills me with excitement, a sense of adventure, and I find it so very valuable as it seems to reach down into my soul and feeds the true essence of who I am, however there's a tinge of sadness knowing I'll miss my cats so much, Cleo in this case, the entire time.
Is it strange for a man of my age to have and watch videos of Cleo on my phone when I'm away? I don't think so, and...don't care if it is.
I'm unashamedly dependant upon that little creature and no matter where I go or what I do, she makes coming home a special moment. Having her in my arms, the obvious relief I can feel in her at having me home, is something special and one of the very best parts about coming home whether it's from a holiday or a day at work.
I miss her right now; I know, you might not understand. I really do miss her very much though, and am looking forward to seeing her and having her face snuggling into my neck the moment I arrive home.
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one on the planet who feels this way; how about you? How do you handle being away from your pets and how do they handle it? Merlin used to pretend to be annoyed with me for five minutes when I returned home from holiday but very quickly came over for cuddles; Cleo dives right in for kisses and cuddles. How about yours? Feel free to comment below and let me know how you and your pets interact after an absence.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Any image(s) in this post are my own
I hope Cleo is not having a hard time in your absence.
At home, we have just adopted a cat. He is so small that we are not even sure if he is male or female. I deep down think is a he, although I'm not sure. So we haven't given him a name yet. But we don't want to leave him for a second. So I can't even imagine what it will be like when we go on vacation. But that will come.
I hope you are enjoying your vacations and the time with your family.
Cats have a way of rendering s helpless like this; I could play with Cleo all day and not care about anything else.
I wonder what you'll name your cat? Any ideas?
I just published a post talking about the fact that we still can't agree on a name. My son wants to call him Grogu, like baby Yoda, if it's a boy, but I don't really like that name. But the chances of my son agreeing to a different name are slim. We'll see if it's confirmed it's a boy in the next few days. :)
Ah ok, I'll go and have a read. I'm sorry, ai only just woke up and was going through comments, hadn't read my post feed yet.
Oh, it's okay. A vet friend has told us that he is a male, so he will probably end up being called what my son wants, Grogu ;)
Grogu is a good name. It sounds like the name of a Japanese Samurai warrior.
Yes, it sounds like a warrior's name, hehe, which by the way, he is showing signs of being.
I vote for Haggis .. .@coquicoin
Haha, I just saw that, Ed! Really? LOL.
I want to see Rodrigo's face when I suggest it 😂😂
He's going to tell me, now you not only use those British English words, but you want the cat to be called Haggis. 🤣🤣
jeje I bet Rorro will think that his mother has flipped!
I did have a wee kitten in Florida that I named Haggis, it was a wild stray and then ran off!
I liked the name though!
He already thinks his mother has gone mad, lol.
And it looks like the cat is indeed a male, hehe. ;)
hehe he thinks .... and he starts to push down the road of Cat Lady haha sorry not sorry it makes me laugh when I say Cat Lady Super Eli!
Haha!
"....and like her more than most humans..." I doubt you are alone in this. My dad used to say that about ALL animals. In fact he used to say he prefers any animal to most humans. I feel kind of like that about my goats. But I also have my one special cat. Pepper is a human in a little feline body.
They're honest, pets I mean. They often don't have an agenda. I find them simple, but they have their own complexities I guess too. They don't judge others and generally just want to live their lives. Humans? We'll, not all of that, generally. Yep, animals over most humans for sure.
My little kitty is precious to me and even though she is my daughter's, she became mine when she went to college. She is in tune with my moods, emotions and especially when I am not feeling 100%. We all have those days.
When I had a death in my extended family, she lay on me, purring for hours. I felt loved. Yes, I know that the purring is a self-satisfying thing for them, but, I want to think she meant it for me.
The sense when we are going away, mine follows me around as if I am going to make a run for it, and I do miss the sweet purring, cuddling up and the gentle body swipe she makes when she passes me. The buddy cat lay on the stairs so that he can nail your feet as they come down from upstairs. :) This is especially well done if it is early morning and you aren't expecting it. He is a rascal.
But, she is the love. Videos. :) I made some to send my daughter. She loved it. I do know what you mean. She is such a wonderful part of life. ❤️
I agree that cats read moods and act accordingly for sure. Also, the purring, seems to transfer the emotion better right? It's soothing and comforting.
I'm sure your daughter would love the videos especially if she was very attached to the cat. It's a nice gesture and one that comes with a lot of value.
Oh, the purring makes me melt. I love it. It is exactly that soothing and comforting. Yes. Very much so. My daughter is very attached to the cat. She talks to it on the phone... Okay, never tell her I told you that! :)
Lol, your daughter sounds bonkers like me. I do the same.
Also, I purr. ('nuff said.)
Omg!! She does too!!!
Lol.
I don't have any pets now, but I house sit for a friend of mine and look after her 3 cats. When I first started, she left me a long list of what the cats like. I quickly read it and then filed it in the bin. Animals sometimes change their habits when their owners are away anyway, so the cats have always told me what they want. Other people have occasionally looked after them but they seem to have problems with the cats. In the 10 years I've been looking after them I've not had one issue, so I must be doing something right!
I've just got to learn how to give injections now as one of the puss cats has diabetes. I'm not worried at all ..... 🙄🤥
I think animals are fairly adaptable to various situations. Cats can fret when their owners are away but are really quite resilient animals. It seems you've got things well in hand with those you look after and ten years of successful care means something. Good luck with the diabetic one, ai hope that works out.
Animals and children tend to gravitate to me. I'm too soft!
Thank you, I'm going to need it. 🙂
Too soft...or too likeable.
🙂
Awww I am absolutely sure that little Cleo is missing you just as much as you miss her. You get to look forward to the most amazing cuddles and purrful hand holding when you get home.
I'm looking forward to that, and the way she gets clingy.
Dear friend @galenkp who loves and respects pets as you do, my person and so many in the world that no matter what others think or do, they our pets are family, they are loyal, honest and the only ones who never judge you, or point you are present or not, so when you return from your vacation they are waiting for you with love and pampering, and that is the most important thing to be happy.
Be happy to have Cleo by your side always.
A big hug from this side of the world, from the eternal caribbean in my city.
Cleo makes me so happy. No matter how tough my day has been, when I come home she is there to make it feel better. I miss her when I'm away but love coming home to her and the cuddles she'll give me. 😊
My daughter has one called Molly is very cute, sweet, and is aware of everything, very active at night hahahahahah like all cats.
After a vacation, it’s hard to get back into the rhythm of life with work. Only when you really like the work, only then you expect the end of the vacation as soon as possible)
I love my job. Unfortunately, I can't do what I love. Because we are at war ((((((
It is indeed, finding the motivation to get back to work after a vacation can be very difficult.
Hopefully things get back to normal for you soon, I know things have been tough these past couple months.
I totally understand how you feel. I'm the same with my cat Molly. I hate leaving her when we go away. I don't think that any pets like being left alone for an extended period of time.
Do you get someone to watch her when you go away?
Yeah, I have someone that stays with her, someone she, (and I) trust to do the right thing. I'd never put her in a cattery, I just don't trust them. I'm looking forward to seeing her soon.
Yeah I could never put either pet in a cattery or kennel. Pet jail. Having someone stay or pet-sit, is ideal
I've heard too many bad stories about pet boarding facilities and knew someone who had a German Shepherd come back a changed dog after being in one. I'll never do it. The house-sitter is a better option as it looks after the house and the pet at the same time.
Yeah that sounds terrible. Sounds like the dog experienced some sort of trauma and if that's the case that is super messed up.
Yep, we think it was beaten. It went from being a happy dog to cowering in fear. It made me want to go there and beat down all the humans. I didn't though. (Or did I?) (I actually didn't.) (Should have though.)
Yeah that's messed up.
Should have, or maybe hired someone...
There seems to be a magic to these creatures. We had a cat when I was four years old but then it somehow disappeared. My dad said it jumped out the car window. Poor thing. I'm sure it landed on all fours. That incident scared me. I wish I had something better to say...
purrr
!LUV
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I love having Cleo in my life, my other cats too. I used to have a really bad ass rottweiler and he was really cool, but I've got so much more from my cats. I love the so much. Are you able to get one or don't you have the ability at the moment? (Sad about the one that jumped out the window.)
I would like to have a pet and my kids even more but my wife has allergies to cats and dogs. The stray cats around here are very friendly and the animals in the mountain are also like pets... well not all...
I'm glad to hear your cat is affectionate... even more than a dog. I had a mixed German shepherd/ Pitbull in college. That was one silly dog.
Dogs can be silly as you say. I find cats less so. One also needs to work hard for a cats affection huh?
It's great to actually love someone, and have the feeling reciprocated. Animals are very unlike humans in every way, they're not shy to show you how much they love you. It's actually great to have a pet and I see you have developed a good feeling for yours..
I don't have a pet, I hope to get one soon...I'm scared of dogs, hehe so I'll probably settle for a cat..
I hope you manage to get a cat, I think it's a really humbling experience to receive a cats affection ad I believe loving a pet makes us a better human.
I'm looking forward to such an experience. It'll take time but when I do get one I'll make sure to write a post about her
Please do.
Pets are our salvation in so many ways. And the term pets is not really a good one. Companions is way better.
Thank you for reminding us about these little fellows. They bring into our lives what is the most important - unconditional love.
@tipu curate
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Hey there, thanks for commenting.
I agree with you, pets can reach in an touch a him so deeply and bring so much satisfaction. I'd be lost without my Cleo, and have been devastated when I lost my others...I know I will be with Cleo also, but for now I have her in my life and I love every moment.
Thanks for commenting and the curation.
I completely understand, because I have the same relationsphip with my Harris's hawk. I literally sleep with her. We love each other so much. The love of an animal is unconditional, and an animal accept you, without judging you. This is rarely the case with humans.
I feel better about people who love animals and don't really resonate with those who do not. You're right about the difference between animals and humans; the latter have a lot to answer for huh?
Yep know them feels and eldest learned really quick when he got his cats. If we go up north it’s usually only for a couple of days at most and they’re mildly irritated with us. When we head to my parents it’s for 5-8 weeks and yeh they’re annoyed when we finally get back but the cats will be all over eldest and the dogs would follow us around the house for days after.
Same deal they get restless when we’re packing.
The photos and videos on your phone is a good idea. I use my laptop as primary photo management tool now so that’s an easier option but I’ll still recommend it to eldest for next time (if there’s ever a next time).
What happens when you go away for weeks? Who looks after them? The longest I've been away from mine is 5 weeks. It was too long. 😥
Oh you know we just leave a bag of food out and fill a huge container with water like normal.
We’re lucky and have trusted family and friends that can petsit for us. One of the cats gets super anxious and would freak the hell out if we had to put them in a cattery.
Having trusted pet-sitters is good, gives peace of mind. I have a good one too.
Why don't you take her with you? I see so many people travelling with cats these days..
Cleo is a very timid cat and I'd not want to put her in the position of feeling anxious, it's not good for them. Whilst on my five hour stop at Melbourne airport I watched some blokes loading pets into a hold. It's not something I'd want my pet to go through if it was avoidable. It would be cool to have her though, although I'd probably spend my whole holidays playing with her. 🤪
I went and read your last few posts, realising you'd been to see your nephew and were hardly on a camping trip up the road. No way, cats on planes is a bit cruel. 🐱😭
Yeah, I'm in Cairns, far too great a distance to take Cleo. I didn't like the way those animals were all boxed up and shoved into the cargo hold. I'd not want one of my pets having to go through that.
No way. Unlesss you were permanently moving. Enjoy - sounds like you are loving hanging out with the fam. Is Faith with you?
Indeed...Hopefully a move to Tassie!
Having a great time with all my family, yeah. It's awesome.
Exactly. Traveling is fun but... what about the cats!
During covid restrictions when I was almost always home I noticed that my cats got used to that so much that when I again started going to work this year, they always came to sit with me when I was putting on my shoes and jacket and I left them watching me when I closed the door. But that ended like after a month or so when they realized that I do come back home from work every day. :D
My son moved out at the end of last year and I haven't yet been away over night, not even once this year. Before there was always someone, a family member feeding the cats and pretty much being home all the time, doing work at the computer or something, so I actually have no idea how my cats would react.
It's been so long since my cats have been left completely alone for few days so that someone only comes to give them food twice a day and doesn't stay long or over night, only sits with them for few hours. I think my youngest cat has never been left alone over night. The thought actually makes me a bit worried. But perhaps one night isn't that big of a deal. And I have no plans to do longer trips. For now.
It's incredible how attached we get to our cats, and pets in general and aim think they miss us as my has we miss them. I like to think so anyway.
I think one night will be ok, the cat won't fret too much. It will be a good test too I suppose.
One night, perhaps okay, perhaps not, depends on how much I've given them food and how long does it take until breakfast is served...
Sounds like the same for me...breakfast needs to be served in a timely manner or I get grumpy. 🤪
That's so nice that you have that kind of relationship with your cats. I too love animals (I have posted about my love for dogs, especially the vulnerable ones in shelters. One I used to visit died recently and I felt like a relative had died).
We had two cats in Venezuela. Before I came to Brazil, my mother moved to another city with my sister and the house and cats were left at the care of neighbors. They would move to an aunt's apartment. Taking the cats with us was not an option ☹️
This was the last picture I took of Clementina. It was very painful.
My mother spent a couple of years without going back and when. She went back to our house Clemen was still there. The neighbors say she always goes to her house, that is, our house.
It's good that you know you will come back from your vacations soon and find Cleo. They deserve all the love they can get. They usually give it back
Clementina looks a lot like Cleo!
Pets cen bond so much with owners they feel anxiety when they are separated; Cleo is like that. I think Clementina did the same with you.
I hope you get to have a pet again, a dog maybe. 🐶
Yes, they do.
I hope so. I need to have. A place of my own first.
Thanks
Would be amazing to take furry family along on holidays, on the other hand you would miss the return greeting, is something to cherish.
I'd love to take Cleo camping although so think she'd be too frightened, she's very timid. My other cat Merlin would have loved it, he was a bit like me; adventurous and up for anything.
Woody would love it, although might be a problem reeling him back when needed, very adventurous and single minded when something appeals to him.
That's cute and sad at the same time Galen, how the cats respond to you when you're packing. I just love the way they communicate with us, and I totally understand how you feel. I'm happy that you have videos of her to keep you till you get back to her🤗
I'll be home soon enough and she'll be happy, as will I to see her. For nkw, the videos will work. It's good because my nephew keeps asking to see videos of Cleo too so it all works out.
Yes. 100%.
We're a strange species, homo sapiens. We invite these small, semi-feral creatures who have a lifespan a fraction of our own into our lives and devote our mental health to their continued survival and happiness. And we do it willingly, and repeatedly.
I've always been a dog person, and my children have always been more cat people than me. I used to say that I love them anyway. We (I) have a dog, though our lifestyle lends itself easier to cats. The dog is mine and one of the cats has chosen me over the others.
When I travel the dog plops by the front door and moves only to eat, go outside, or sleep in the bedroom at night. She absolutely loses her shit when I finally get home. We call it "OMFGing".
The dog and the cat will both be waiting for me at the front door. The dog begins to wail in excitement when she hears me outside and summons the cat. It's a nice greeting and welcome home.
Isn't it good when the act so happy to see us return? I think dogs usually show it more than cats but cats have their own ways as well. I love that part.
I wonder what they feel like, your dog for example, what it is they feel put into human terms, when their owner comes home. It must be a good feeling.
First of all who gives a flying fcuk what people think.
I have had pets, more dogs than cats most of my life and they are just a joy to behold. The unconditional love, the joys and the benefits go on and on.
Nothing wrong watching videos on your phone, I think there would be something wrong if you didn't!
One of my dogs was a female Alaskan Malamute called Wolfie who would strop big time if she ever had to go into kennels.
When I picked her up, I would get the cold shoulder for about an hour and then that was it punishment over and she would back to her normal loveable self!
Bloody pets and their cold shoulder. We're suckers for it though, work hard to warm it up! 🤪
hehe animals can play us so very easily🤣🤣🤣
Oh Yeah..!
I get it...
I knew you would.