Question for cat/pet owners

[JustOneGuy]

I keep unfortunately postponing my first Camino because of work and various personal issues.

I enjoy good physical condition, have always done quiet sports activities and always walk without major problems. If things continue like this on the day I go on permanent vacation (=retirement) I would very much like to set off on foot to spend at least 6 months walking together with my lifelong partner/wife, assuming she also stays in good physical condition without major problems.

One problem I have though is what we are going to do with our cat. It is a pretty big Norwegian Forest that we almost always take with us when we travel. We cherish it so much and to leave it with someone else, besides being complicated (we would not know to whom) would be terrible for us.

How do you guys do it? Is it possible that none of you here have animals? Do you take them with you (but with a cat it is more complicated than with a dog)?

We have to find a “creative” solution but we don't know which one... I create this poll for cat owners (with a dog is much easier and relatively common to bring it with you).

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

It's a tough one. And there's a heck of a difference between what you are suggesting (six months walking) and what most here do (up to 8 weeks).

Back in the '90s I travelled fairly extensively which meant I hadn't seen my family for some years. Early '97 I promised to come home for Christmas.
A couple of weeks later I had a letter from my father asking if by chance I could come home a little earlier. A few letters to and fro revealed that his idea of 'a little' was the middle of August.

Why? To look after the cat whilst they visited my sister in Oz for four months.

So yes of course I went home a few months early, found a job, emptied half the deep freeze, and lavished copious attention on aforesaid cat

Obviously it's not as good as being home with your cat but knowing that he/she is safe at home with someone you trust does take a lot of stress out of it.

Whilst you may not have a family member you can call on (especially for that long!) do you perhaps have a retired friend? Someone who might benefit from a change of scenery. And perhaps financially, by giving them the chance to sub lease their own property.
You could perhaps offer to cover their transport costs, etc....

The next option of course is a house sitter. There are any number of organizations, the downside is of course that you do not personally know the individuals.

You've raised the issue of taking the cat on camino before, the majority of the replies you received were fairly negative. So many potential issues arise:
as interesting as the idea is, I personally would shelve it.

From the ages of 12 to 14 I worked at the local cattery; I agree they are not necessarily ideal however your cat is well housed, warm, safe, and well fed. That said I cannot imagine leaving my beloved cat in a cattery for months at a time.

The final alternative is to wait until the inevitable passing of your beloved animal, but waiting years could then mean it is too late.

Presumably if you cannot find an acceptable solution you mean that you will not be able to walk.

It seems to me that the biggest issue you guys have to work on is your own personal attitude to the situation.

 

[Roland49]

Last year on the CP I came across a pilgrim, that took his cat with him. AFAIR from France / Belgium.

Backpack on back, catpack on front. Most of the time the cat rested on shoulders or walked (on leash / harness) besides him. Well behaved and partly trained. It was a standard mixed european housecat, not a big (and heavy) Norwegian.

Hope you will find a fitting solution.

 

[suseia]

I understand your problem and i cannot add any more suggestions unfortunately ... I don't have animals..my wife had some dogs during her childhood when she lived in the countryside and as you said dogs and cats have different needs.. ..Consider only that for the frances and a bit of tourism one month and half or two months are enough.. My humble opinion is that it would be really a pity to postpone your first camino! Good luck and i hope somehow to see you soon on Santiago route!

 

[CWBuff]

We are Blessed with a very good friend of our niece who has been house/cat sitting for us for about 10 years now. She loves pets and our cats are quite used to her. When she was still a teenager we'd just stock up a fridge with all her fave foods and bring her a pretty descend present; nowadays we pay her (and still bring a small token of appreciation).
Slightly more to the point I walked my Camino alone so wife was home until she flew in to meet me in SdC and then WWE walked to Finisterre together during which time the above-mentioned girl "took over "

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

I keep unfortunately postponing my first Camino because of work and various personal issues.

I enjoy good physical condition, have always done quiet sports activities and always walk without major problems. If things continue like this on the day I go on permanent vacation (=retirement) I would very much like to set off on foot to spend at least 6 months walking together with my lifelong partner/wife, assuming she also stays in good physical condition without major problems.

One problem I have though is what we are going to do with our cat. It is a pretty big Norwegian Forest that we almost always take with us when we travel. We cherish it so much and to leave it with someone else, besides being complicated (we would not know to whom) would be terrible for us.

How do you guys do it? Is it possible that none of you here have animals? Do you take them with you (but with a cat it is more complicated than with a dog)?

We have to find a “creative” solution but we don't know which one... I create this poll for cat owners (with a dog is much easier and relatively common to bring it with you).

I have not been without a beloved cat or 2 or 3 for over 45 years... We are fortunate that if/when Spouse and I travel together, there's a really wonderful person who moves into our house and cares for house and cats. The cats love her as much as they love us.
It is harder for me, I think, and I end up really missing a feline companion... and I find the entire Meseta pretty tough because the cats there are in rougher condition in general than those in Galicia (who are friendly, well fed, not skittish -- for the most part).
If you are to be away for 6 months, might you consider a housing exchange for someone on a sabbatical, or for a graduate student who would not mind some no-charge housing in exchange for caring for your Fur friend and home?
Our friend lives in a basement apartment and loves staying for any amount of time in either our house or our son's to care for our cats and things...

 

[Paladina]

I postponed my long trips until the last of my children had left home and my various cats, goats and dog had died, but the Scottish adventure traveller Dean Nicholson, who set out unaccompanied on a round-the-world cycle tour, acquired a feline fellow traveller en route. In ‘Nala’s World’ he has written a delightful account of his derailed — should that be deroaded? — trip, which was completely reoriented to take into consideration the needs and comfort of the cat. The experience changed the course both of the cat and the cat-saver’s life. Now read on…

 

[J Willhaus]

Just as a side note, on the Camino it may be difficult to find pet friendly accomodation. I am unsure about the rest of Europe these days.

 

[m108]

This is a very difficult question for me. I have a cat and until a few years ago I took care of her in various ways - never for more than two weeks (this is why I never walked the Camino Frances from SJPDP to Santiago "in one piece"). My cat was found on the street as a kitten. When I took her in, I also took on the responsibility. Over the years, it has become increasingly difficult for her to bear my absence (regardless of whether she was with friends, in a cat hotel or someone visited her every day).So I reduced the absence. She is 13 years old and I started thinking about waiting for her time to come. But I am 70 years old - it is entirely possible that this may happen me, or that I will no longer be able to walk long distances. So I decided to compromise - 8 days maximum. Yes, it is an obstacle. But I do not regret it - what she gives me every day with her presence and warmth is very precious.In any case - just like people, cats are different. Mine has clearly become attached to me - I guess that's not typical of cats.I wish you a decision that will be so good that it won't burden you.
And finally: now when I go somewhere, I pay someone to visit her twice a day.

 

[JerryStroebele]

You will meet many friendly cats on the Camino. They may not be friendly to your cat and they may offload lice to it. Many people have serious allergies to cats. You could have big problems finding accommodations. It's possible you will miss your cat more than it will miss you. When you are ready and able to walk a Camino maybe you should just go. When it was time for my youngest daughter to live larger and walk many Caminos she gifted her two beloved cats to her best friends. She has had no problem meeting new cats on the Camino. My oldest daughter has finally found a good dog and cat sitter and now for the first time will accompany my wife and me on the Camino next March. Buen Camino

 

[JustOneGuy]

I postponed my long trips until the last of my children had left home and my various cats, goats and dog had died, but the Scottish adventure traveller Dean Nicholson, who set out unaccompanied on a round-the-world cycle tour, acquired a feline fellow traveller en route. In ‘Nala’s World’ he has written a delightful account of his derailed — should that be deroaded? — trip, which was completely reoriented to take into consideration the needs and comfort of the cat. The experience changed the course both of the cat and the cat-saver’s life. Now read on…

Thanks, I know very well the story. Is not unique. I remember a guy that was travelling in Chile by bike, and found a stray cat too. They never got separated and travelled together since then.

I read all the comments so far btw. Thanks a lot everyone. I am thinking about and appreciate everything you wrote, guys, and will reply soon!

By now: thanks, thanks and thanks!

 

[bullingtonce]

I keep unfortunately postponing my first Camino because of work and various personal issues.

I enjoy good physical condition, have always done quiet sports activities and always walk without major problems. If things continue like this on the day I go on permanent vacation (=retirement) I would very much like to set off on foot to spend at least 6 months walking together with my lifelong partner/wife, assuming she also stays in good physical condition without major problems.

One problem I have though is what we are going to do with our cat. It is a pretty big Norwegian Forest that we almost always take with us when we travel. We cherish it so much and to leave it with someone else, besides being complicated (we would not know to whom) would be terrible for us.

How do you guys do it? Is it possible that none of you here have animals? Do you take them with you (but with a cat it is more complicated than with a dog)?

We have to find a “creative” solution but we don't know which one... I create this poll for cat owners (with a dog is much easier and relatively common to bring it with you).

I one hundred percent always take my pet with me when I travel. Sure, my pet can be a lot of trouble, inconvenient, and, at times, quite demanding. Sure, it would be easier to travel without my pet, but at times, sacrifices in life have to be made so grin and bear it. My pet is a human; my pet is my wife. So far, it has worked out well. Chuck

 

[CWBuff]

The cats love her as much as they love us.

WHo?! What!? Cats....LOVE?!!!!
they are CATS!!!!

With Cats, some say, one rule is true:
Don’t speak till you are spoken to.
Myself, I do not hold with that –
I say, you should ad-dress a Cat.
But always keep in mind that he
Resents familiarity.
I bow, and taking off my hat,
Ad-dress him in this form: O CAT!

not exactly the same but we have a small plaque that says "you're nobody until you've been ignored by a cat"

and btw - people who don't like cats were surely mice in previous life!

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

WHo?! What!? Cats....LOVE?!!!!
they are CATS!!!!

With Cats, some say, one rule is true:
Don’t speak till you are spoken to.
Myself, I do not hold with that –
I say, you should ad-dress a Cat.
But always keep in mind that he
Resents familiarity.
I bow, and taking off my hat,
Ad-dress him in this form: O CAT!

not exactly the same but we have a small plaque that says "you're nobody until you've been ignored by a cat"

and btw - people who don't like cats were surely mice in previous life!

I liked your post cuz I "get it" --- and yes, my cats absolutely love me... and my kid once had a cat who loved him more than she loved tuna fish. They would play hide-and-seek at her pet door; she would fetch toys for him; and, when he was sick, she would sleep with him. Devastatingly... she developed FIP after her spay and died... I don't think any of us will ever stop missing Clyde (so named because she stole his heart like a thief).

 

[KDub]

I walk solo and my husband watches the house while I am away. If he has to travel at the same time, then we have a professional pet sitter that we have been using for the last decade.

 

[antepacem]

My little pal has now passed on to the next realm, but I always had a house/catsitter for my long trips. My cat didn't like to be anywhere but his own territory, so someone would move in for the month and live in my house while I'm away. I'm lucky enough to live in a university town full of students desperate for a break from their roommates, but you can always pay professional petsitters to do the job, and I have done that too.

 

[GPeachy]

I was fortunate that when I walked my husband was at home with our cats. However, I understand your predicament as we have sometimes struggled to find someone when we are on vacation together. We have a friend who uses a site called Trusted House Sitters. We have not had to use them, but she has used them many times and strongly recommends them. (moderators please feel free to remove if providing this name is not appropriate).

 

[oursonpolaire]

I have three friends for whom lengthy cat-sitting gigs form part of their livelihood. One is an artist/modern dancer in Vancouver, whose gigs usually last for the entire winter (in Vancouver, that means December-May) when the well-heeled take off for Mexico or wherever-- she also house-sits for them (insurance!!) and provides their beasts with company and human support. Another (a photographer) rotates through a list of month-at-a-time-minimum gigs in England-- she has been doing this for about ten years now. And a t hird, working on her LèsL at Laval also does the winter house-sitting/cat-sitting life while using the internet for library access. They all have friends who do back up for them when needed.

Making casual enquiries around town, there seems to be a supply of graduate students whose lives consist of making perpetual drafts on low income and who are happy to provide cat support. There are agencies, of course, and they have the advantage of support and/or replacements as needed. Friends of mine sent overseas by the Sovereign's Majesty for brief (1-2 month) stretches have told me of the one mentioned in another posting.