One great thing about being retired is that afternoon naps are nearly always available. They’re rejuvenating, calming, restorative, cozy, all the good stuff. And when a cat (or cats) join you for them, they’re absolute HEAVEN!

 

Charli and Patches don’t see eye to eye — or, when they do, Patches gives Charli the stink eye and Charli yields. But there are times when, played just right, I can get one of them on one side of me and the other one the other, or one under the covers and the other atop them.  Having two cats purring you to sleep is like listening to stereo angels.

 

Charli is the neediest/cuddliest.  Every morning, even when she has slept at my side or on my hip all night long, she accompanies me to the bathroom. As soon as I take my seat on the ceramic throne and place a towel on my lap, she jumps up, settles in and starts purring, kneading and gazing at me as if she hasn’t seen me in a week.

 

I am decidedly adored by her.  The feeling is entirely mutual.

 

I’ve been explaining to her that we’ll be moving in September and that I have figured out  a way to make sure the flight will be easy on her. She doesn’t understand a word, but she listens, purrs, and agrees that whatever I think is good, is good.

 

I assure her I’m putting her through our “adventure-for-a-day” only because I know she’ll be miserable without me (and, truth to tell, I’d be miserable without her). She agrees wholeheartedly. I don’t know if she can envision the word pictures that go through my mind as I explain the intricacies of flying to Costa Rica to her, but I hope she can. I hope she can “see” that she’ll be right at my feet or in my lap in her soft-sided carrier all the way, and that there is nothing to fear.

 

There is a “pop top”to this carrier (see image below) that I can pop up

whenever she isn’t under the seat so she can sit up and look out of it if she wants to.

She probably won’t want to, but I wanted to give her the option.

 

 

I’ve told her that her next vet visit will be in our own home. A mobile vet is coming here so I don’t have to subject her to another harrowing trip (untranquilized) before our flight. I will invite Charli onto my lap in the bathroom and have Dr. Byrd (great name for a vet, eh wot???)  give her the exam, pest treatment,  and combo shot and insert the microchip while I sit there loving on her. I doubt she will even notice. She didn’t notice the rabies shot she was given last week. The needles are so small these days (including the one that inserts the microchip) that they aren’t uncomfortable.

 

Right now, she’s on my desk to the right of my monitor, sleeping. She’s rarely very far away, even when I’m outside working.  She’s more like a dog than a cat. (Shhh! Don’t tell her that. I did once and she didn’t like it, because cats rule, you know.)

 

 

Anyway, I dote on her. She’s a real treasure.

 

Patches is 21 years old, so she can’t fly. She will be going back to her original owner if she lives that much longer. She’s ancient.

 

I still need to re-home my two ten-year-old goats, Mr Tumnus and Tillie. Several people are helping me look for potential adopters.  I will miss them when they go, but the sooner they do, the sooner I can hang onto more of my money in advance of the move, and I need to do that.I just bought them another bale of alfalfa and a mineral block and it set me back $50.  Luckily, they will last more than a month. Goats are cheap to keep, but every dollar I can save between now and September will be a big help.

 

On that note, just a reminder that my fundraiser to get Charli and me to Costa Rica this fall is still alive. If you can help with a donation or by spreading the word, I will very much appreciate it.  To those of you who have already gone above and beyond (we’re halfway to the goal!), beaucoup thank yous. Just share the link, if you will,with your friends and put in a good word for us when you do, won’t you?

 

HUGS!!!