We try to keep things as low key as possible…..we hide the suitcases…..bringing them out to fill when he is in the other room napping.  His potty box stays in the usual spot until the last second….

I must say, however, Pookie is a seasoned traveler….He has been ‘on the road’ at least 4 times a year, cross country, which does not include our trips to Las Vegas to see his cousins, two beagles, an old barn cat, and a desert tortoise that will live longer than all of us. Pook came to us 12 years ago.He is one of those ‘ordinary’ American Shorthair designs.  Even when we adopted him from another family who were getting rid of children (graduating from high school and college) and pets (schooling unknown), we thought him cute but kind of dull.   However, we soon learned we were dead wrong and he has been an absolute joy, even a party at certain times.

First we found we didn’t have to worry about a water bowl….we already had them, scattered around the house….yes toilets.  Works fine for him, works fine for me.  Next, an even more important trick came to our attention….he can open doors.  Not too good with the knobs, but with the handle kind, he is killer.   Friends who come to visit, and who are not especially ‘cat’ people, come to find him sitting on their chest about 7:30AM.He is either looking for breakfast or a nice warm spot to cuddle for some extra winks.  Because of this, we station door stops for privacy.

Now back to vacation……well, the bags are packed, the maps are found, the Interstate has been picked out, the La Quintas have been chosen, and now we show him the red leash!  Yes he walks on a leash….and he’s pretty good at it….Or I’m pretty good walking with a leash, don’t know which. The leash isused for safety,cause  I don’t want him to jump and run when a German Shephard, also staying at the La Quinta, comes strolling down the hall.   We walk on a leash regularly cause it keeps him (or me) in shape.   Cat owners also know that when walking, a cat will always walk along the wall, not out in the middle of the  hall….that is the ‘wild part’ still in him.  The interesting part is that Pookie always follows the wall to the extreme…he even zigs and zags in and out of the doors to each of the rooms.   A little OCD maybe?  Who knows.

He also is good at sitting on top of hotel luggage carriers….He waits patiently til cat box, cat food, suitcases, and books are packed and then sits proudly as we stroll down to our room.  I might add he even understands the concept of elevators and waits til the door is completly open or closed before entering or exiting.

We have even been offered special deals while we were vacationing……A growing family of 5, packing and piling in the little tikes one morning, offered an even trade……our dutiful pet for all of their clan.   We passed.    Our clan is now in their mid-thirties.

As of this writing, Pookie is now visiting his cousins in Shreveport, La.  They include a black cat, 1/2 his size, who can chew him up and spit him out in a second, and a full-sized golden doodle.  Although they have know each other for 8 years, they have not grown tight.   His cousins try to show him a good time, however, he chooses to hiss in response, and head directly for his room.  He does not leave until the potty box leaves and there is no talking him out of it……

I know, I’ve heard it from Pookie a thousand times…..you can choose your friends, but not your family”.  It’s only a few days away from Thanksgiving….so forget what Pookie says…..don’t hiss at your relatives, know where the potty box is, and enjoy your meal.