Missing Our Pets on Trips

When I am away, all kinds of critters seem to appear out of nowhere. Perhaps it’s to keep me company or remind me how special all creatures in the animal kingdom are. While I was on my most recent trip, I was sitting at the hotel's picnic table sipping my coffee, enjoying the beauty of the brilliant autumn colors contrasted with the early morning mountain mist. Suddenly I spied a huge Daddy Long-Legs possibly wanting company while dining on an insect caught in his web. I was rather pleased my presence didn’t frighten him. But for me, petting a spider is rather unrealistic and quite unlikely to form a meaningful relationship.

Most every feline lover separated from their beloved cats for any length of time can readily identify with kitty deprivation and the deep longing for a cat on their lap. So when my brother-in-law invited us for brunch I was delighted. While I was looking forward to spending time with family, secretly my heart beat just a little bit faster since I knew they are owned by two sweet kitties. Fortunately, after two days sans felines, Nila, their grey tabby, was most happy to indulge me with a kitty fix, purring her little heart out while I stroked her plush, soft fur. While I thoroughly enjoyed our encounter, somehow it only reminded me how deeply I missed our two boys.

I got to thinking how fortunate we are to have Bonny, our ever so patient and understanding kitty sitter. Since I am an overprotective "mother", who worries about whether her "kids" are eating enough and if they are relatively happy during our absence, I was in contact with her several times a day. I was overjoyed receiving Bonny’s text message that Hush Puppy was being a piggy at meal times. Hearing her reassuring voice on the phone twice a day certainly made our trip more enjoyable.

Although I cherished one of the most beautiful weddings I ever attended, thoroughly delighting in the happy time spent with friends and family, what began as a joy-filled weekend ended on a very sad and tragic note.

Precious was a little dog owned by friends of the groom who was deeply loved. Since the couple has no children, she was showered with extraordinary affection and meant everything to them. With no one at home that they felt comfortable to care for her, and knowing her separation anxiety would be extreme, they decided to bring her with them by car from South Carolina to the wedding.

Precious had been wheezing for a few days prior to leaving which made them even more resolute in their decision. As it was a fairly overcast, cool day, they left her in their car with the windows rolled down to keep her cool. Every twenty minutes one of them took her out for a walk.  

Marty heard the woman calling for Precious in an anxious voice after the wedding. She couldn’t find her. They searched every inch of the area to no avail. Returning to the car, the woman found Precious dead, lying on the car floor. The couple was both shocked and feeling bereft. After all, she had been walked only twenty minutes ago and appeared fine. The next morning Precious was given a memorial service and buried in a beautiful spot on my brother and sister-in-law’s property

And as I reflected upon the deep loss the couple experienced, I wondered if the need for us to be with our pets sometimes overrides what in reality may be best for them. Had they left her with their vet, would she still be alive? I imagine this very question is haunting them. Indeed, life is short and decisions we make have unforeseeable consequences.

Upon returning home the first thing I did was to hug our two kitties. I missed them terribly while we were on our trip, and feel very grateful they are in our lives.

What would you have done given this situation? Share in a comment.