relocation

TIPS FOR MOVING WITH YOUR PET

This is not only kitten season but also the time of year (with school out for the summer) when families move. We have two neighbors in the process right now. Both dads have been transferred due to the companies they work for moving out of the area. One family has two cats and the other has a cat and two dogs. Our cat friends, Savvy and Sage from Savannah’s Paw Tracks, also will be moving at the end of the summer.

Moving is stressful for the entire family and can cause your pets to experience anxiety. Cats especially don’t like change. From listing, with prospective buyers traipsing through your home, to selling and the actual packing and relocation to new surroundings, stress can intensify.

By following the tips in the infographic below, you can provide a less stressful move for both your family and your pets.

moving I’d like to thank Taylor’s Relocations of Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia, for their infographic. And I’d like to offer a few additional moving tips of my own:

If you are one of those individuals or families who do allow your pet to go outside, stop doing so at least a few days prior to the move. You do not want to be packed and ready to leave and unable to find kitty.
Do not leave open packing boxes around the house. We know how much kitties love boxes, and we’ve all heard stories about cats being sealed in moving boxes.
If you are still planning on allowing kitty outdoors after moving, it is essential that you wait several weeks before doing so. And when you do allow this, go with your feline friend and only stay out ten or fifteen minutes at a stretch. Allow puss to become familiar with its new surroundings while under your supervision. I suggest continuing to accompany your pet for a few weeks.

I know from first hand experience that cats will try to return to the home they know. When I was six years old, our cat, Tiger, walked back to our old house. By the time we were reunited he was in such bad shape my parents had no recourse but to have him euthanized.

Better yet, this could be the right time to retrain your pet to be an inside kitty only. Extra playtime with you can help eliminate some of the anxiety and pent-up energy of your now housebound cat.

If you are planning a move this summer, Kitties Blue hope you will find these tips to be helpful. And if you have any additional ones to share, please do so in a comment.

Get Ready to Party

On Caturday we will be celebrating Calista Jo’s third birthday. We’ll “doll” her up for the celebration as well as Athena and Marie’s Caturday Art Blog Hop. Hope you will join us. We’ll be giving away some swag from the BlogPaws conference.

Special Father’s Day Sunday Selfies

We’ll be sharing a special selfie for Father’s Day, and we look forward to seeing what each of you have to offer. Consider including your dad in your photo. Of course, anything goes, and all anipals are invited.

We had our best turnout last week with 60 entries (including our own). And we only have a couple more blogs to visit. It warms our hearts that so many of our friends enter every week and that we continue to have new entrants. Thanks!

June 18, 2015 by Janet Blue Uncategorized 19

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.