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.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I have multiple answers, although I never traveled for more than a month. Six months is a long time.

When I had a dog and a cat and traveled, I would leave the dog with my father and his wife. They eventually refused to return said dog because they fell in love with her and they worked from home and had a big house with a huge backyard and really, she was living her best life there so I couldn’t argue with that.

The cat has always stayed home, either with my kid if they were also home, or with daily visits from a cat sitter.

Sadly, cat passed away recently and, I must say, the freedom is a bit intoxicating and I haven’t gotten a new pet yet. I probably will at some point though.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

I have multiple answers, although I never traveled for more than a month. Six months is a long time.

When I had a dog and a cat and traveled, I would leave the dog with my father and his wife. They eventually refused to return said dog because they fell in love with her and they worked from home and had a big house with a huge backyard and really, she was living her best life there so I couldn’t argue with that.

The cat has always stayed home, either with my kid if they were also home, or with daily visits from a cat sitter.

Sadly, cat passed away recently and, I must say, the freedom is a bit intoxicating and I haven’t gotten a new pet yet. I probably will at some point though. View attachment 181414View attachment 181415

OMG, her little cheek muzzle-puffs! (I'm a sucker for a calico or any tricolour really).

 

[ShoshTrvls]

OMG, her little cheek muzzle-puffs! (I'm a sucker for a calico or any tricolour really).

I did love her, completely unintentionally. She was part of a litter of strays a friend was fostering. I had never had a cat before, being a dog person, but I had a mouse issue and so I “borrowed” her, assuming I’d give her back in a month when the mice were gone. I didn’t even name her - she was just “Cat.”

She never went back, but remained my Cat (or I her “Person”) for the next 16 years.

 

[JustOneGuy]

I will add that actually we will probably move to Galicia at some point. We are not sure yet but we are thinking about it and next week we will be visiting a few houses. That might make things easier.

The problem is that we are no longer city types, so we intend to settle in a rural area. And in a rural area it may be harder to find a cat-sitter, but who knows, maybe not.

Our cat is now used to living freely (although we track his movements with a gps device he has on his collar...). Sometimes, however, we keep him indoors, or take him on trips. He is a quite strange cat, extremely sociable and quite adaptable. He has already visited several countries and has developed a kind of travel routine when moving from one place to another.

For now, if we are traveling for a few days, like next week, we have two dear friends to keep him. They have a dog and a cat whom he has known since he was a puppy and with whom he gets along very well.

Thanks again for all the answers and comments, which I am slooooowly processing.... But it is a problem. In retrospect I might not have gotten a new pet, but during the pandemic we couldn't resist a very furry abandoned puppy...

And please keep voting the poll!

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Clyde, the heart stealer, playing peek, and in our kid's arms for a nap (Kid did not move for 3 hours so she would not be disturbed)
And the current darlings, a tabby and a calico...

 

[HappyValerie]

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 "

Ten years is a VERY LONG Camino, but I'm so glad you found someone suitable to house/ catsit for you!!! Your cat(s) must miss you. Hope they remember you when you return home. Buen Camino!

 

[dougfitz]

When my wife and I had cats we have used most of the solutions in your poll. After the last surviving cat died while being cared for by my granddaughter a few years ago, the cat hasn't been replaced, and there is a certain freedom in that which now allows us to plan much longer absences from home.

As a practical matter, have you considered using a trailer for the journey you are planning? These don't appear common on the camino, but the subject arises here from time to time, and recently one of my local friends of the camino group walked the Norte with a two wheeled version. @David has some practical expertise in this area. I am imagining that the addition of something like a small storage crate would provide a place for the cat when it wants a cat-nap and you don't want it wrapped around your neck or resting in your arms.

 

[CWBuff]

Ten years is a VERY LONG Camino, but I'm so glad you found someone suitable to house/ catsit for you!!! Your cat(s) must miss you. Hope they remember you when you return home. Buen Camino!

Of course the lady had been house and cat sitting for us for the last 10 years (not concurrently) and I haven't even dreamt of Camino when she started... but I like your chain of thoughts

 

[Robo]

We have a Cat. 'Tiger' is part of the family of course, and is wary of strangers and not happy when we are away.

He's very much a house cat, as we live quite near busy roads, and also the rules around cats and native wildlife here in Australia are very strict. (Cats will be Cats in that regard)

(1) Thankfully we are covered for a couple of years still, as we have our niece staying with us while she studies and gets a career under way. She and Tiger get on really well.

But when she is away, like now, overseas for 3 months doing an internship, we are really tied to home.

(2) Our next best option is for a good friend of our niece to come and house/cat sit. She too gets on really well with Tiger. That way he gets to stay at home with someone that he knows. She's been here for a few 'sleep overs'.

(3) We've also considered getting a house/cat sitter from one of those online agencies/services. A neighbour has used that for his Dog with great results. But that means having a 'stranger' in the house.

(4) Then the final option is a cat boarding place. The big plus is that he will be 'safe', in that he's not going to dash out the front door onto the road. Something we are very careful about at home. The big negative is that he is basically in a large cage, with an hour or two in the 'yard' each day. A bit like being in prison. But it's an option.

He gets very 'grumpy' when we go off and leave him at home!

Here he is with our Niece saying Hi on video chat.
Or more likely "So when are you coming home"!!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

you don't want it wrapped around your neck or resting in your arms

The hiking trailer is a great idea.
Especially as I don't think you're ever going to want it wrapped around your neck, even resting in your arms is going to get rather tiring pretty quickly. I met one once, those Norwegian Forest cats are not just big, they're HEAVY! The one I met was supposedly just "average" - and weighed 7kg.

Edited to add: Wikipedia says "Adult females weigh 3.6–8 kg (7.9–17.6 lb); males, 4.5–9 kg (9.9–19.8 lb)"

 

[lalaone]

We are in this situation now, with a senior cat we love to pieces. When my husband walked the Camino two years ago, I stayed at home with our cat. He did the same for me when I walked alone years before. At this point even short trips are difficult to manage, so all travel is on pause.

One thing I can add about cat boarding hotels: we found a very good one and were quite excited, but it may not be possible to board cats even if you want to. The hotel we wanted to use requires up-to-date shots for rabies and feline distemper, so we took our cat to the vet for both recently - and got the one for rabies but were told she is too old for distemper. So just a caution that even if you want to board your cat, it may not be possible. A trusted sitter is a great way to go if possible, and we miss the ones we had in the past who moved.

Here is a cartoon version of our beloved kitty, which my husband designed and carried across Spain on his water bottle - easier than a trailer or leash - basing it off a cute Japanese series which describes the facets of her personality well. Good luck, JustOneGuy, thanks for the question and wishing the best as you figure out your way!

 

[BarbaraW]

I'm wondering whether there is any sort of cat or breed club where you live that might help you find a suitable person to sit your cat.
A cat will be my consolation if I am no longer able to make long journeys.

 

[JennyH94]

We have a Cat. 'Tiger' is part of the family of course, and is wary of strangers and not happy when we are away.

He's very much a house cat, as we live quite near busy roads, and also the rules around cats and native wildlife here in Australia are very strict. (Cats will be Cats in that regard)

(1) Thankfully we are covered for a couple of years still, as we have our niece staying with us while she studies and gets a career under way. She and Tiger get on really well.

But when she is away, like now, overseas for 3 months doing an internship, we are really tied to home.

(2) Our next best option is for a good friend of our niece to come and house/cat sit. She too gets on really well with Tiger. That way he gets to stay at home with someone that he knows. She's been here for a few 'sleep overs'.

(3) We've also considered getting a house/cat sitter from one of those online agencies/services. A neighbour has used that for his Dog with great results. But that means having a 'stranger' in the house.

(4) Then the final option is a cat boarding place. The big plus is that he will be 'safe', in that he's not going to dash out the front door onto the road. Something we are very careful about at home. The big negative is that he is basically in a large cage, with an hour or two in the 'yard' each day. A bit like being in prison. But it's an option.

He gets very 'grumpy' when we go off and leave him at home!

Here he is with our Niece saying Hi on video chat.
Or more likely "So when are you coming home"!!

View attachment 181435

Oh Robo - Option (4) - Pussy Prison - is definitely not the way to go. Absolutely the last resort. As you would well know, much-loved cats who have a definite, secure place in their households don’t cope well by being placed in Pussy Prison - especially for several weeks. I speak from personal experience as our last cat, the beautiful NeeNee, was so stressed from a short stay in a cat boarding facility at the beginning of last year, that she suffered a heart attack and passed away.
If Tiger can remain at home it’ll be the best option and you and Pat won’t need to worry.
Cheers - Jenny
PS - Tiger’s gorgeous!

 

[JustOneGuy]

We are in this situation now, with a senior cat we love to pieces. When my husband walked the Camino two years ago, I stayed at home with our cat. He did the same for me when I walked alone years before. At this point even short trips are difficult to manage, so all travel is on pause.

One thing I can add about cat boarding hotels: we found a very good one and were quite excited, but it may not be possible to board cats even if you want to. The hotel we wanted to use requires up-to-date shots for rabies and feline distemper, so we took our cat to the vet for both recently - and got the one for rabies but were told she is too old for distemper. So just a caution that even if you want to board your cat, it may not be possible. A trusted sitter is a great way to go if possible, and we miss the ones we had in the past who moved.
View attachment 181438
Here is a cartoon version of our beloved kitty, which my husband designed and carried across Spain on his water bottle - easier than a trailer or leash - basing it off a cute Japanese series which describes the facets of her personality well. Good luck, JustOneGuy, thanks for the question and wishing the best as you figure out your way!

I am surprised by how many couples do the "pilgrimage" separately!

I may be wrong, but this really is a cultural divide. For most Italians like myself, this is unthinkable. Please note that I am not criticising, quite the opposite. After 25 years of living abroad in different countries, I am still surprised at how many differences there are between cultures.

Consider that my wife and I are regularly used to spending long periods, up to a year, away from each other, that is already very unusual for italians (and critiziced accordingly by families...). But that is because of work. When I go on holiday or hiking, it would be really hard for me to think about leaving her alone at home for more than a week.

But maybe this is personal, not cultural?

 

[JustOneGuy]

The hiking trailer is a great idea.
Especially as I don't think you're ever going to want it wrapped around your neck, even resting in your arms is going to get rather tiring pretty quickly. I met one once, those Norwegian Forest cats are not just big, they're HEAVY! The one I met was supposedly just "average" - and weighed 7kg.

Edited to add: Wikipedia says "Adult females weigh 3.6–8 kg (7.9–17.6 lb); males, 4.5–9 kg (9.9–19.8 lb)"

Mine weighs 6-6.5 kg. We are lucky because if it weighed more than 7.5 kg it would be difficult to take it in the cabin on a flight.

But I wonder how maneuverable (and heavy) these trailers are, especially on rough terrain.

An alternative is to take him in a sort of rucksack like this


which I already have for just this purpose, as a previous commenter mentioned. Weigh is not a big concern for me, I am used to carry heavy load someway. But it's bulky and difficult to carry together with a backpack.

I've also been looking for a rucksack that can hold a cat on top and my stuff below it, but haven't found anything good (a good business idea??? )

The other problem is where to sleep with a cat. He is extremely well "trained". He has never damaged anything or bothered people. But most Albergue don't take them - understandably.

It may seem like a silly problem, but for us it is a real hindrance, possibly preventing us from walking together in the future for more than a week or two. We love him and don't want him to get hurt (see some previous really worrying post about that...).

Probably, only people who have or have had a pet can understand our concerns...

And btw, this is the guy I am talking about:





I defy anyone to leave such an uncultivated mass of hair at home alone for more than two hours...

 

[JustOneGuy]

Clyde, the heart stealer, playing peek, and in our kid's arms for a nap (Kid did not move for 3 hours so she would not be disturbed)

Yes, I can understand. I too suffer from an extreme case of feline paralysis...

 

[Takahiwai]

I defy anyone to leave such an uncultivated mass of hair at home for more than two hours...

I walked a few days with a young Spanish couple who were doing the camino with their dog and their white Persian cat. They had been living and travelling in a campervan for a long time before deciding to do the CF. The cat would start off in the morning, perched on the woman's waist-bag (looked a bit like a handlebar bag from a touring bike). After a while, it would move up to her backpack, and from there to its preferred position on top of her (much taller) boyfriend's rucksack. From time to time, it would jump down to stretch its legs for a while, and then jump back up to the lowest bag to start its ascent once again.

Admittedly, there were a lot fewer pilgrims around in those days, but the only place they had any problem with staying in a refuge was in the municipal one in Leon. At every other place, the hospitalero/a would just canvass the other pilgrims to see if anyone minded about the animals. Nobody ever did.

They did tell me it had taken a while to get the cat used to travelling that way before they dared to set out.

 

[60LifeChange]

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 am looking into a house sitter who needs free rent. They can stay at my place for several months for free and in return, they take care of my cats, plants and water lawn. Looking at a local college that has said they will share with students and staff. so will see. if not? my neighbors have volunteered as have my co-workers, but I prefer someone to stay here if possible.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

I am surprised by how many couples do the "pilgrimage" separately!

I may be wrong, but this really is a cultural divide. For most Italians like myself, this is unthinkable. Please note that I am not criticising, quite the opposite. After 25 years of living abroad in different countries, I am still surprised at how many differences there are between cultures.

Consider that my wife and I are regularly used to spending long periods, up to a year, away from each other, that is already very unusual for italians (and critiziced accordingly by families...). But that is because of work. When I go on holiday or hiking, it would be really hard for me to think about leaving her alone at home for more than a week.

But maybe this is personal, not cultural?

I think it is circumstantial for many. Yes, there are some who prefer to be completely alone as “the way it must be”…. And I think there is merit to travelling alone in general (to expand one’s abilities to tolerate challenges, mostly).
For the most part, however, I see that is is connected to failures of community and family to step in to support members such that those of us who care for and love a disabled member (spouse, child, parent) find that the rest of the family/community is too busy following their own desires and bliss to support a couple pursuing a pilgrimage of anything else *together*.
Many people who are in families with high-needs disabled persons find that they can only do anything enjoyable if they go solo, leaving the partner behind in a constantly switching off tag team. Wanna see a movie? Go alone. Go for a nice coffee? Go alone. Art gallery? Alone… because *someone* has to stay on-call for the dependent/vulnerable person.
IMHO these constraints are a key symptom of a very sick society.
Alas, this illness has been repackaged as the “freedom of individuals” (to abandon others)…
I think this problem-set, in addition to economics and concerns about the planet, contributes heavily to reasons why young people are not having kids. they know the would-be grandparents would rather play pickleball in Florida than be grandparents… that they will have to move and move and move because “that’s the employment setting now”… and that increasingly, policies will romanticize “hospice at home”, so that even to be able to travel solo becomes a massive luxury.
I would love dearly to travel together with Dear Spouse. Never gonna happen again. We “leap-frog” our travels, but would rather travel together.

 

[Roland49]

An alternative is to take him in a sort of rucksack like this

That is, what I described as catpack.

 

[Annette london]

Mine weighs 6-6.5 kg. We are lucky because if it weighed more than 7.5 kg it would be difficult to take it in the cabin on a flight.

But I wonder how maneuverable (and heavy) these trailers are, especially on rough terrain.

An alternative is to take him in a sort of rucksack like this

View attachment 181454
which I already have for just this purpose, as a previous commenter mentioned. Weigh is not a big concern for me, I am used to carry heavy load someway. But it's bulky and difficult to carry together with a backpack.

I've also been looking for a rucksack that can hold a cat on top and my stuff below it, but haven't found anything good (a good business idea??? )

The other problem is where to sleep with a cat. He is extremely well "trained". He has never damaged anything or bothered people. But most Albergue don't take them - understandably.

It may seem like a silly problem, but for us it is a real hindrance, possibly preventing us from walking together in the future for more than a week or two. We love him and don't want him to get hurt (see some previous really worrying post about that...).

Probably, only people who have or have had a pet can understand our concerns...

And btw, this is the guy I am talking about:

View attachment 181455

View attachment 181456

I defy anyone to leave such an uncultivated mass of hair at home for more than two hours...

Have cat will travel
Not our cat
Sadly she died in January this year, age 20
Never sick
Never visited a vet
No vaccines
The garden was her hunting ground
I’ve never understood the concept of a “house cat”
Aren’t cats meant to roam?
I absolutely love cats but if “himself” pops his clogs before me, I think I’ll get a dog

 

[JerryStroebele]

Yes, cats evolved into very efficient roaming hunters. You can have HOUSE cats. You can also have roaming cats. Or you can have songbirds. But you won't have both in the same area, like your garden. Buen Camino

 

[JustOneGuy]

Have cat will travel
Not our cat
Sadly she died in January this year, age 20
Never sick
Never visited a vet
No vaccines
The garden was her hunting ground
I’ve never understood the concept of a “house cat”
Aren’t cats meant to roam?
I absolutely love cats but if “himself” pops his clogs before me, I think I’ll get a dog

We're going quickly off-topic (as anyone always do when talking about cats...) but I hope that as long as we chat and don't go overboard with photos of our darlings the moderators will let us

Anyway, my big cat was indoors until about a year ago. We kept him attached to a very long thin nylon rope outside the house. We live in the countryside, on a very hilly island. We were told that someone was spreading rat poison around and many cats had died from it. I often took him around the countryside on a leash. He got used to it and even asked me every day....

Then we started letting him loose. He always has a GPS with a SIM card on his collar so we can see what he is doing. We want him to be used to it for when we travel, in case he runs away.

He usually spends the evening and night glued to me, but during the day, if there is no strong wind or excessively high temperatures, he stays outside about 100 m from the house where there is a ‘gang’ of cats. Sometimes, like today, he stays at home. He is gentle also with mice, lizards and gekos, and after playing a bit with them, let them go (keeping the tail as a reward, actually).

Occasionally we take him on car trips. Sometimes he reacts very well, especially when there is some strange new animal or when we go to a ‘real’ forest. In the road trips he sits on the rear window and stays there and watches the landscape go by. Sometimes, unfortunately, he gets stressed, but without any real pattern. In this case we stop and let it roam on the leash for 30-40 minutes. Then he get tired and fell asleep.

Of course it would be very important for him to get used to being on top of a backpack, but given his size it will not be at all obvious that he can! I am thinking to a sort of support handmade to be installed it...

 

[Luka]

My answer isn't in the poll. I always arrange house sitters to take care of my cats, house and garden.

 

[PelegrinNikolai]

I have a cat, but luckily my travel-averse Beloved will hold the fort while i'm away for nearly 2 months.

Otherwise, I'd get a cat/house-sitter in to also water the plants.

I would never consider a cattery.

 

[Annette london]

We're going quickly off-topic (as anyone always do when talking about cats...) but I hope that as long as we chat and don't go overboard with photos of our darlings the moderators will let us

Anyway, my big cat was indoors until about a year ago. We kept him attached to a very long thin nylon rope outside the house. We live in the countryside, on a very hilly island. We were told that someone was spreading rat poison around and many cats had died from it. I often took him around the countryside on a leash. He got used to it and even asked me every day....

Then we started letting him loose. He always has a GPS with a SIM card on his collar so we can see what he is doing. We want him to be used to it for when we travel, in case he runs away.

He usually spends the evening and night glued to me, but during the day, if there is no strong wind or excessively high temperatures, he stays outside about 100 m from the house where there is a ‘gang’ of cats. Sometimes, like today, he stays at home. He is gentle also with mice, lizards and gekos, and after playing a bit with them, let them go (keeping the tail as a reward, actually).

Occasionally we take him on car trips. Sometimes he reacts very well, especially when there is some strange new animal or when we go to a ‘real’ forest. In the road trips he sits on the rear window and stays there and watches the landscape go by. Sometimes, unfortunately, he gets stressed, but without any real pattern. In this case we stop and let it roam on the leash for 30-40 minutes. Then he get tired and fell asleep.

Of course it would be very important for him to get used to being on top of a backpack, but given his size it will not be at all obvious that he can! I am thinking to a sort of support handmade to be installed it...

Ok
No more photos then
Yours are quite large photos aren’t they? but lovely of course as are all cat photos
I don’t think the mods will stop the thread because of photos of cats though
Not unless the posters get their “cat claws” out!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I had a couple of cats growing up and I adored them. I love the pictures of forum members' cats! My hubby is allergic to both cats and dogs, so I have been unable to have a furry friend in adulthood.
P. S. I think 6 months is a very long time to leave your cat behind. If you find someone to watch him for so long, the cat will probably grow attached and bond to the cat sitter and likewise. You could consider giving your cat permanently away to that person who watches him.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

I had a couple of cats growing up and I adored them. I love the pictures of forum members' cats! My hubby is allergic to both cats and dogs, so I have been unable to have a furry friend in adulthood.
P. S. I think 6 months is a very long time to leave your cat behind. If you find someone to watch him for so long, the cat will probably grow attached and bond to the cat sitter and likewise. You could consider giving your cat permanently away to that person who watches him.

I think that's possibly true... about the new bonds and the grief... and possibly very good advice to think about that length of time seriously...
It is why we won't decamp overseas for retirement until our senior cats have passed... they are too old to travel the distance... and we don't want to change their lives now, nor be without them for long periods...
I love any albergue on camino where a cat is allowed to visit.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hmm, cats. Useful for rodent control; fairly self sufficient. A bit of a bugger for low and ground nesting birds. May imitate affection if fed regularly.

Dogs. Useful for rodent control, hunting and retrieving, and for perimeter defense. Will demonstrate reliable dependency if fed regularly.

Pets. Are totally dependent and provide all sorts of opportunities for pretending that they love you.

People. Will never cease to astonish me

 

[domigee]

Cat lover here. Don’t take your cat on the Camino, especially if you’re off for 6 months
Get a cat sitter, it’ll cost you but it’s worth it, for peace of mind and for the well being of your beloved pet.
I have no answers really, I can only stay in our flat in Spain for a week at a time because of our cats (who are in the Uk). When I go for longer walks, my husband looks after them and vice versa..

Get a cat sitter! (When we both go together, that’s what we do)

 

[chinacat]

Hmm, cats. Useful for rodent control; fairly self sufficient. A bit of a bugger for low and ground nesting birds. May imitate affection if fed regularly.

Dogs. Useful for rodent control, hunting and retrieving, and for perimeter defense. Will demonstrate reliable dependency if fed regularly.

Pets. Are totally dependent and provide all sorts of opportunities for pretending that they love you.

People. Will never cease to astonish me

You cynic!!!

And anyway, geese make the best ‘perimeter defence’. ….

Our daughter has 2 Norwegian Mountain cats and 2 Maine Coons. When they travel her partner’s parents visit to make sure they’re okay. They also use a cat-feeder which has a camera and speaker in it. We borrowed it when we visited them for Christmas and had great fun talking to our cat through the App. We controlled the amounts of food that appeared in the feed tray via the App too.
The only problem was the slug that blocked the feed tunnel when it went to steal his food

 

[JustOneGuy]

Hmm, cats. Useful for rodent control; fairly self sufficient. A bit of a bugger for low and ground nesting birds. May imitate affection if fed regularly.

Dogs. Useful for rodent control, hunting and retrieving, and for perimeter defense. Will demonstrate reliable dependency if fed regularly.

Pets. Are totally dependent and provide all sorts of opportunities for pretending that they love you.

People. Will never cease to astonish me

Hmm, people who find attachment to pets astonishing: I have seen so many of them turn into a kind of mucous spineless mess no more than three weeks after ‘accidentally and/or unwillingly’ having one at home.

 

[Tincatinker]

I have dogs, cats and, pushing the boundaries, fish ( some of whom I’m quite fond of). Little Dog is sat on my lap as I type. She’s old now. She can’t even do a five mile walk though she’ll still try. I don’t push her that hard. A sniff and widdle around the block two or three times a day does for her now. When she goes she’ll be the last one. I don’t have the mileage for a puppy. I don’t foster anymore because she can’t handle new dogs. She just likes a bit of peace. She takes herself of to a quiet corner when the grandkids are around.

Mucous, spineless mess. Oh, I’ll cry when she goes. I’ve wept over most of them over the years. I’ve spilt wine and made smoke for every companion that has passed from my company.

I remain astounded.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Mine weighs 6-6.5 kg. We are lucky because if it weighed more than 7.5 kg it would be difficult to take it in the cabin on a flight.

But I wonder how maneuverable (and heavy) these trailers are, especially on rough terrain.

An alternative is to take him in a sort of rucksack like this

View attachment 181454
which I already have for just this purpose, as a previous commenter mentioned. Weigh is not a big concern for me, I am used to carry heavy load someway. But it's bulky and difficult to carry together with a backpack.

I've also been looking for a rucksack that can hold a cat on top and my stuff below it, but haven't found anything good (a good business idea??? )

The other problem is where to sleep with a cat. He is extremely well "trained". He has never damaged anything or bothered people. But most Albergue don't take them - understandably.

It may seem like a silly problem, but for us it is a real hindrance, possibly preventing us from walking together in the future for more than a week or two. We love him and don't want him to get hurt (see some previous really worrying post about that...).

Probably, only people who have or have had a pet can understand our concerns...

And btw, this is the guy I am talking about:

View attachment 181455

View attachment 181456

I defy anyone to leave such an uncultivated mass of hair at home alone for more than two hours...

GAH! FLOOF!

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

We have a Cat. 'Tiger' is part of the family of course, and is wary of strangers and not happy when we are away.

He's very much a house cat, as we live quite near busy roads, and also the rules around cats and native wildlife here in Australia are very strict. (Cats will be Cats in that regard)

(1) Thankfully we are covered for a couple of years still, as we have our niece staying with us while she studies and gets a career under way. She and Tiger get on really well.

But when she is away, like now, overseas for 3 months doing an internship, we are really tied to home.

(2) Our next best option is for a good friend of our niece to come and house/cat sit. She too gets on really well with Tiger. That way he gets to stay at home with someone that he knows. She's been here for a few 'sleep overs'.

(3) We've also considered getting a house/cat sitter from one of those online agencies/services. A neighbour has used that for his Dog with great results. But that means having a 'stranger' in the house.

(4) Then the final option is a cat boarding place. The big plus is that he will be 'safe', in that he's not going to dash out the front door onto the road. Something we are very careful about at home. The big negative is that he is basically in a large cage, with an hour or two in the 'yard' each day. A bit like being in prison. But it's an option.

He gets very 'grumpy' when we go off and leave him at home!

Here he is with our Niece saying Hi on video chat.
Or more likely "So when are you coming home"!!

View attachment 181435

This muzzle-puff is *too much*. I feel drunk just looking at that face.

 

[camino07]

I am looking into a house sitter who needs free rent. They can stay at my place for several months for free and in return, they take care of my cats, plants and water lawn. Looking at a local college that has said they will share with students and staff. so will see. if not? my neighbors have volunteered as have my co-workers, but I prefer someone to stay here if possible.

My grandson house/cat sat for me on my recent camino. No plants watered but Puss loved him.

 

[DonnaS18]

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 get a Housesitter. Free accommodation for them and they look after my animals and send me pictures/reports back.

 

[CorinneH]

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).

Our pets, Izzy Kitty and Susie-Cutesie-Dog, a New Zealand Huntaway, have both passed away now, but on our first two Camino's I advertised for a house-sitter to stay in our house, to look after them. I paid a gardener and house cleaner to visit every week, so my house-sitter could focus on walking Susie (Huntaways are herding dogs who need a great deal of exercise and mental stimulation.) and keeping Izzy company. Neither Susie nor Izzy would have been happy boarding at a kennel, so I wouldn't have left them for so long if I couldn't have arranged for them to have the routine and attention they normally enjoyed.

 

[lalaone]

I am surprised by how many couples do the "pilgrimage" separately!

I may be wrong, but this really is a cultural divide. For most Italians like myself, this is unthinkable. Please note that I am not criticising, quite the opposite. After 25 years of living abroad in different countries, I am still surprised at how many differences there are between cultures.

Consider that my wife and I are regularly used to spending long periods, up to a year, away from each other, that is already very unusual for italians (and critiziced accordingly by families...). But that is because of work. When I go on holiday or hiking, it would be really hard for me to think about leaving her alone at home for more than a week.

But maybe this is personal, not cultural?

Personal or cultural – it’s interesting and I can understand why you would wonder. In our experience, the constraints are largely work-related, so maybe similar to how you also think? Vacations for us fall into a different category because two weeks in a row is pushing it, so coordinating four weeks, and then at the same time for both people – well, for us it’s just been so hard that pilgrimage never even entered that category. It's outside work constraints, but also inside them, you might say. Pilgrimage has always been something different. We've tried shorter stages together and it just did not work for us (though it does for others). Vacations though, like you, yes, we take them together as a couple. What that means, I don't know, because even here in the US, many younger colleagues are changing traditional patterns with certain vacation times allocated with their spouse and kids, others to visit their parents without spouse or children, others separately with friends. So I guess it’s probably very individual and unique...much like every beautiful cat... Buen Camino!

 

[DonnaS18]

Personal or cultural – it’s interesting and I can understand why you would wonder. In our experience, the constraints are largely work-related, so maybe similar to how you also think? Vacations for us fall into a different category because two weeks in a row is pushing it, so coordinating four weeks, and then at the same time for both people – well, for us it’s just been so hard that pilgrimage never even entered that category. It's outside work constraints, but also inside them, you might say. Pilgrimage has always been something different. We've tried shorter stages together and it just did not work for us (though it does for others). Vacations though, like you, yes, we take them together as a couple. What that means, I don't know, because even here in the US, many younger colleagues are changing traditional patterns with certain vacation times allocated with their spouse and kids, others to visit their parents without spouse or children, others separately with friends. So I guess it’s probably very individual and unique...much like every beautiful cat... Buen Camino!

I think it’s personal and happenstance.
I walked my first camino solo, part of one with a girlfriend and the second full one with my souse.
They were very different experiences.
I like Alburgues, and dorm sleeping is no issue for me, but my girlfriend and spouse both needed private rooms with bathroom.
My spouse and I agreed that we’d walk separately part of the day if needed, but 98% of the time we walked together or in a small group with people we met. He’s not very social, but I’m glad to say with compromises on both parts we both loved our experience as a couple.
Would we do it again as a couple -yes. Would I do it again solo - absolutely!