I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
home... let me know they missed me..
Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
work 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
I already use bulk water and dry food dispensers.. which I'd add one
more of each for safety ..plus a couple automatic litter boxes ..


I hate the idea of taking them to vets to be boarded in small cubicles
which I would consider to be worse unless they were sick..

With my current schedule, where I'm gone from 11 pm to 11 am, I leave
a curtain open where they can keep an eye on the squirrel population,,
just for entertainment.... I also keep a TV playing.. just so it's not
too quiet.. I'm sometimes gone for 3 days.. and don't worry too much..
I'm just wondering if 10 days is pushing it?
I'm considering paying someone from the Vet's office to come by once
or twice during these 10 day periods just to check on them and
hopefully stay and play with them a few minutes. I can't imagine how
much they'd charge.. I don't have any friends or relatives who live
nearby.. Don't like trusting my home and cats to neighbors I really
don't know....

My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
Thanks..
Chuck

Chuck wrote:
> I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
> With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
> home... let me know they missed me..
> Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
> work 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
> I already use bulk water and dry food dispensers.. which I'd add one
> more of each for safety ..plus a couple automatic litter boxes ..
>
> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
> Thanks..
> Chuck

Being left alone for that amount of time could create all sorts of negative
or destructive behavior. Not only stressful, but dangerous to boot. What
if one of them got hurt or became ill? What if (forfend) the house caught
fire?

Aside from that, bulk feeders or not, cats don't like dirty litterboxes.

I don't blame you for not trusting your home to neighbors you don't know. I
wouldn't, either. I think asking the vet staff is a good idea. One of them
might live nearby and for small reimbursement be willing to check on them
every couple of days, scoop the litter box(es), make sure the food/water is
adequate and spend some play-time with them. Or they might be able to
recommend a licensed pet-sitter who could do the same (they'd charge more,
probably).

Jill

On Sat 03 Dec 2005 06:54:39a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?

> I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
> With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
> home... let me know they missed me..
> Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
> work 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....

Let's just say that I would never even consider doing that to my cats. At
the very least you need a cat sitter or someone who could come in at least
once a day to check on them and give them a bit of companionship.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________________________

A chicken in every pot is a *LOT* of chicken!

Chuck wrote:
> I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
> With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
> home... let me know they missed me..
> Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
> work 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
> I already use bulk water and dry food dispensers.. which I'd add one
> more of each for safety ..plus a couple automatic litter boxes ..
>
>
> I hate the idea of taking them to vets to be boarded in small cubicles
> which I would consider to be worse unless they were sick..
>
> With my current schedule, where I'm gone from 11 pm to 11 am, I leave
> a curtain open where they can keep an eye on the squirrel population,,
> just for entertainment.... I also keep a TV playing.. just so it's not
> too quiet.. I'm sometimes gone for 3 days.. and don't worry too much..
> I'm just wondering if 10 days is pushing it?
> I'm considering paying someone from the Vet's office to come by once
> or twice during these 10 day periods just to check on them and
> hopefully stay and play with them a few minutes. I can't imagine how
> much they'd charge.. I don't have any friends or relatives who live
> nearby.. Don't like trusting my home and cats to neighbors I really
> don't know....

You really need to become friendlier with your neighbors... I'd trust
my neighbors before some transient doodoo shoveler from the local vet's
office (my next door neighbor has a key to my house). But regardless,
ten days at a time some 150 times a year is much too long and far too
often to leave any pets alone... I wouldn't leave a plant alone that
much... you need to keep your present job or find employment with more
normal hours or not have pets, it's as simple as that, there really is
no other choice.

The only time my cats get boarded is at the vet when necessitated for
some medical procedure, never for my convenience, I would never
consider it. The longest I've left my cats home alone is a weekend,
and fewer times than I have fingers on one hand. And I have six cats
to keep each other company. But even when I'm gone a few hours I can
tell they miss me, they're all lined up at the door as I pull in the
driveway. In fact two of them get very nervous whenever they see me
put on shoes, they know that means I'm going out.


Sheldon

On 3 Dec 2005 08:45:03 -0800, "Sheldon" > wrote:

>
>Chuck wrote:
snipped.....
>
>You really need to become friendlier with your neighbors... I'd trust
>my neighbors before some transient doodoo shoveler from the local
vet's
>office (my next door neighbor has a key to my house). But
regardless,
>ten days at a time some 150 times a year is much too long and far too
>often to leave any pets alone... I wouldn't leave a plant alone that
>much... you need to keep your present job or find employment with
more
>normal hours or not have pets, it's as simple as that, there really
is
>no other choice.
>
>The only time my cats get boarded is at the vet when necessitated for
>some medical procedure, never for my convenience, I would never
>consider it. The longest I've left my cats home alone is a weekend,
>and fewer times than I have fingers on one hand. And I have six cats
>to keep each other company. But even when I'm gone a few hours I can
>tell they miss me, they're all lined up at the door as I pull in the
>driveway. In fact two of them get very nervous whenever they see me
>put on shoes, they know that means I'm going out.
>
>
>Sheldon

I agree with everyone above. Leaving them alone for more than a
couple of days may bring on stress behaviors like pee-ing in various
places of the house, compulsive fur cleaning/hot spots and just a
whole bad set of behaviors that are due to stress.

You need to have someone come in daily, ideally, or find good homes
for them if you plan to be away.

aloha, Thunder
smithfarms.com
Farmers of 100% Kona Coffee
& other Great Stuff

y question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
Thanks..
Chuck


Chuck, in my opinion, cats need to have some one stop in every dasy,
they could have an accident, get hurt, spill the water. Any number of
things, however, I think they need human company too.

I have a neighbor who comes in when ever I am gone, she keeps an eye on
them, feeds them changes the litter, and they like her , come out to
visit with her.

When she and her husband are gone, I do the same for her cats.
Rosie

Chuck wrote:
> I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
> With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
> home... let me know they missed me..
> Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
> work 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
> I already use bulk water and dry food dispensers.. which I'd add one
> more of each for safety ..plus a couple automatic litter boxes ..
>
>
> I hate the idea of taking them to vets to be boarded in small cubicles
> which I would consider to be worse unless they were sick..
>
> With my current schedule, where I'm gone from 11 pm to 11 am, I leave
> a curtain open where they can keep an eye on the squirrel population,,
> just for entertainment.... I also keep a TV playing.. just so it's not
> too quiet.. I'm sometimes gone for 3 days.. and don't worry too much..
> I'm just wondering if 10 days is pushing it?
> I'm considering paying someone from the Vet's office to come by once
> or twice during these 10 day periods just to check on them and
> hopefully stay and play with them a few minutes. I can't imagine how
> much they'd charge.. I don't have any friends or relatives who live
> nearby.. Don't like trusting my home and cats to neighbors I really
> don't know....
>
> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
> Thanks..
> Chuck


Yes. My daughter and her family were just gone for two weeks.
I went to her house once or twice a day every day (3 miles away)
to feed and play with her cats and clean their litter box.
When they got back yesterday their two cats, usually a bit aloof,
were all over them.

Our son, who lives an hour away, leaves his cat at our house when he
goes away. By the end of a week, the cat is just beginning to warm up
to us. He generally spends most of his time under the beds.

Are you staying in a hotel or an apartment? Can you take the cats with
you? The vet's office staff idea is OK, but you can expect the cats
to react differently than they do now.

gloria p

Chuck wrote:
> I'm considering paying someone from the Vet's office to come by once
> or twice during these 10 day periods just to check on them and
> hopefully stay and play with them a few minutes. I can't imagine how
> much they'd charge.. I don't have any friends or relatives who live
> nearby.. Don't like trusting my home and cats to neighbors I really
> don't know....
>
> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?

When we went on vacation, we boarded the dogs and paid a receptionist
from the vet's office $15 a day to come by daily to feed the cats,
birds, guinea pigs, and chickens, take in mail, etc.

I don't think 10 days will be too much for cats, especially since they
will have each other to play with, but I think it would be too much for
dogs.

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Sat 03 Dec 2005 06:54:39a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?
>
> > I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
> > With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
> > home... let me know they missed me..
> > Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
> > work 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
>
> Let's just say that I would never even consider doing that to my cats. At
> the very least you need a cat sitter or someone who could come in at least
> once a day to check on them and give them a bit of companionship.
>
> --
> Wayne Boatwright

Well said Wayne. We moved to Oregon in stages last year & made
numerous trips back and forth to CA over a 6 month period. At the end
of "the move from hell," we had cats "guarding" houses in both states.
Of necessity, we frequently used the services of professional pet
sittters on both ends when we couldn't be there to tend to our
furbabies on a daily basis. It was a major expense, but worth every
penny. The bottom line is that when you bring animals into your life
you make a commitment to their care and welfare.

Nancy T

On Sat 03 Dec 2005 06:49:46p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it ntantiques?

>
> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>> On Sat 03 Dec 2005 06:54:39a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?
>>
>> > I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
>> > With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
>> > home... let me know they missed me..
>> > Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
work
>> > 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
>>
>> Let's just say that I would never even consider doing that to my cats.
At
>> the very least you need a cat sitter or someone who could come in at
least
>> once a day to check on them and give them a bit of companionship.
>>
>> --
>> Wayne Boatwright
>
> Well said Wayne. We moved to Oregon in stages last year & made
> numerous trips back and forth to CA over a 6 month period. At the end
> of "the move from hell," we had cats "guarding" houses in both states.
> Of necessity, we frequently used the services of professional pet
> sittters on both ends when we couldn't be there to tend to our
> furbabies on a daily basis. It was a major expense, but worth every
> penny. The bottom line is that when you bring animals into your life
> you make a commitment to their care and welfare.

Also well said, Nancy. With that commitment comes responsibility which a
lot of pet owners don't seem to have. I get the feeling that the OP is a
relatively new pet owner and may simply be ignorant of his pets' needs.
Pets thrive on human companionship and when that is removed they do suffer
the lack of attention. Not to mention that an automatic feeder or waterer
might malfunction and the animals have to go without.

As you said, pet sitters may cost a bit, but they are worth every penny.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________________________

A chicken in every pot is a *LOT* of chicken!

Chuck wrote:

<snip>

>
> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
> Thanks..
> Chuck

Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would be
better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said, I
could not do that to my cats.

--
Cheers
Cathy(xyz)

On 4 Dec 2005 03:42:47 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

>On Sat 03 Dec 2005 06:49:46p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it ntantiques?
>
>>
>> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>> On Sat 03 Dec 2005 06:54:39a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?
>>>
>>> > I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
>>> > With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
>>> > home... let me know they missed me..
>>> > Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
>work
>>> > 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
>>>
>>> Let's just say that I would never even consider doing that to my cats.
>At
>>> the very least you need a cat sitter or someone who could come in at
>least
>>> once a day to check on them and give them a bit of companionship.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Wayne Boatwright
>>
>> Well said Wayne. We moved to Oregon in stages last year & made
>> numerous trips back and forth to CA over a 6 month period. At the end
>> of "the move from hell," we had cats "guarding" houses in both states.
>> Of necessity, we frequently used the services of professional pet
>> sittters on both ends when we couldn't be there to tend to our
>> furbabies on a daily basis. It was a major expense, but worth every
>> penny. The bottom line is that when you bring animals into your life
>> you make a commitment to their care and welfare.
>
>Also well said, Nancy. With that commitment comes responsibility which a
>lot of pet owners don't seem to have. I get the feeling that the OP is a
>relatively new pet owner and may simply be ignorant of his pets' needs.
>Pets thrive on human companionship and when that is removed they do suffer
>the lack of attention. Not to mention that an automatic feeder or waterer
>might malfunction and the animals have to go without.
>
>As you said, pet sitters may cost a bit, but they are worth every penny.

No mister Boatwright.. I (the OP) am not a "new" pet owner... I'm
just new at living alone in a city with no relatives.. and haven't
ever needed such services.. Well except for in August, had to go out
of town for work for 4 days with a 15 y.o. cat with bone cancer at
home.. My chief pilot came by and took care of my kids then.. 30 miles
round trip, Her mother in the hospital at the time but she came by
twice a day to feed and pamper them ( and take the sick one out on
leash for walk once a day)
Since then, I had to put the sick one to sleep.. Vet had said 4 to 6
weeks,,,, I got 53 weeks of good quality spoiling him after that..
I'd feel bad asking her to look after the kids, when the job I'd be
taking, would cause me to not be working for her, and her families
company..

I had been unaware of the pet sitting services... I trust my vets
office and the people there... if one of them are interested. They
specialize in cats only.. Also checked the local commercial pet
sitting services... and for around 13 dollars per visit... with them
being bonded... sounds like a good deal.
My 3 year old male.. as long as he has food (hopper,gravity feed, )
and water (when I'm going to be gone more than 18 hours I always have
more than 1 source of water, one being a 1.5 gallon water dispenser
from the big box store..) he really doesn't care what's going on...
except checking out the squirrels outside the window..
But my new little girl (around 7 months) is very social...
The commercial services claim that they stick around at least 30
minutes per visit.. And if they like cats at all.. they couldn't
resist petting my little girl for at least an hour..
I only asked to find out what my options are..since I had noted you
had a few "kids"..
Chuck

On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:

>Chuck wrote:
>
><snip>
>
>>
>> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>> Thanks..
>> Chuck
>
>Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
>home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would be
>better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
>more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said, I
>could not do that to my cats.
I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight it is
a 7 day stretch)
As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out about
pet sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...

On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:

>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:
>
>>Chuck wrote:
>>
>><snip>
>>
>>>
>>> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>> Thanks..
>>> Chuck
>>
>>Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
>>home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would be
>>better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
>>more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said, I
>>could not do that to my cats.
>I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight it is
>a 7 day stretch)
>As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out about
>pet sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...

Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading.. update
that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to working a
more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend er.. baby
sitter..
Chuck

Chuck wrote:
> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:
>
>
>>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Chuck wrote:
>>>
>>><snip>
>>>
>>>>My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>>>Thanks..
>>>>Chuck
>>>
>>>Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
>>>home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would be
>>>better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
>>>more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said, I
>>>could not do that to my cats.
>>
>>I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight it is
>>a 7 day stretch)
>>As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out about
>>pet sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...
>
>
> Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading.. update
> that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to working a
> more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend er.. baby
> sitter..
> Chuck

Your OP was indeed misleading. It read like you would be away for 10
days and then home for 10 and then away again.... If it IS only one 10
(or 7) day stretch, have them boarded at a professional cattery or vet,
or get a cat-sitter if you feel they would be happier at home.

--
Cheers
Cathy(xyz)

On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 08:15:37 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:

>Chuck wrote:
>> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Chuck wrote:
>>>>
>>>><snip>
>>>>
>>>>>My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>>>>Thanks..
>>>>>Chuck
>>>>
>>>>Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
>>>>home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would be
>>>>better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
>>>>more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said, I
>>>>could not do that to my cats.
>>>
>>>I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight it is
>>>a 7 day stretch)
>>>As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out about
>>>pet sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...
>>
>>
>> Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading.. update
>> that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to working a
>> more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend er.. baby
>> sitter..
>> Chuck
>
>Your OP was indeed misleading. It read like you would be away for 10
>days and then home for 10 and then away again.... If it IS only one 10
>(or 7) day stretch, have them boarded at a professional cattery or vet,
> or get a cat-sitter if you feel they would be happier at home.
Er.. Cathy.. You available to be a live in cat sitter by chance? ;-))

Chuck wrote:
> I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
> With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
> home... let me know they missed me..
> Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
> work 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
> I already use bulk water and dry food dispensers.. which I'd add one
> more of each for safety ..plus a couple automatic litter boxes ..
>
>

No way should a cat be left for 10 days without having someone check on
it. Two days, max, 3 if you have to.

> I hate the idea of taking them to vets to be boarded in small cubicles
> which I would consider to be worse unless they were sick..
>
> With my current schedule, where I'm gone from 11 pm to 11 am, I leave
> a curtain open where they can keep an eye on the squirrel population,,
> just for entertainment.... I also keep a TV playing.. just so it's not
> too quiet.. I'm sometimes gone for 3 days.. and don't worry too much..
> I'm just wondering if 10 days is pushing it?

Yes.

> I'm considering paying someone from the Vet's office to come by once
> or twice during these 10 day periods just to check on them and
> hopefully stay and play with them a few minutes. I can't imagine how
> much they'd charge.. I don't have any friends or relatives who live
> nearby.. Don't like trusting my home and cats to neighbors I really
> don't know....
>
> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?

Yes. have someone come every other day. The cats need interaction and
care - if for no other reason than to ensure that they are still alive.
A cat sitter should charge 15/day or less per one visit for two cats.

My brother left for an extended vacation and had someone come every 3-4
days. During the day of their last visit or so one of his cats died
unexpectedly and they failed to notice she wasn't alive (they thought
she was asleep in the window). He came home to a cat that had been
dead 5 days or possibly six. Not a pretty sight!

Get a pet sitter - if for no other reason than peace of mind.

-L.
(former vet tech, pet sitter, HS and shelter volunteer 17+ years)

On Sat 03 Dec 2005 10:51:32p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?

> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:
>>
>>>Chuck wrote:
>>>
>>><snip>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>>> Thanks..
>>>> Chuck
>>>
>>>Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
>>>home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would be
>>>better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
>>>more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said, I
>>>could not do that to my cats.
>>I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight it is
>>a 7 day stretch)
>>As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out about pet
>>sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...
>
> Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading.. update
> that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to working a
> more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend er.. baby
> sitter..
> Chuck
>

Yes, Chuck, your original post was a bit misleading. I interpreted it to
mean that your job would consist of regular 10-day trips away with an
unknown time period at home in between. This would be devastating to a
cat. Your one time 7-day trip can certainly be worked out. Pet sitters,
baby sitters, girlfriends, any or all would be the ticket. Good luck!

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________________________

A chicken in every pot is a *LOT* of chicken!

On 4 Dec 2005 07:37:01 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

>On Sat 03 Dec 2005 10:51:32p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?
>
>> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Chuck wrote:
>>>>
>>>><snip>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>>>> Thanks..
>>>>> Chuck
>>>>
>>>>Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
>>>>home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would be
>>>>better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
>>>>more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said, I
>>>>could not do that to my cats.
>>>I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight it is
>>>a 7 day stretch)
>>>As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out about pet
>>>sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...
>>
>> Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading.. update
>> that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to working a
>> more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend er.. baby
>> sitter..
>> Chuck
>>
>
>Yes, Chuck, your original post was a bit misleading. I interpreted it to
>mean that your job would consist of regular 10-day trips away with an
>unknown time period at home in between. This would be devastating to a
>cat. Your one time 7-day trip can certainly be worked out. Pet sitters,
>baby sitters, girlfriends, any or all would be the ticket. Good luck!
Pet sitters would be less expensive than girlfriend I'm afraid...
Chuck

On Sat 03 Dec 2005 10:42:40p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?

> On 4 Dec 2005 03:42:47 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
>>On Sat 03 Dec 2005 06:49:46p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it
ntantiques?
>>
>>>
>>> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>>> On Sat 03 Dec 2005 06:54:39a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?
>>>>
>>>> > I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well
together.
>>>> > With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
>>>> > home... let me know they missed me..
>>>> > Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
>>>> > work 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
>>>>
>>>> Let's just say that I would never even consider doing that to my cats.
>>>> At the very least you need a cat sitter or someone who could come in
at
>>>> least once a day to check on them and give them a bit of
companionship.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Wayne Boatwright
>>>
>>> Well said Wayne. We moved to Oregon in stages last year & made
>>> numerous trips back and forth to CA over a 6 month period. At the end
>>> of "the move from hell," we had cats "guarding" houses in both states.
>>> Of necessity, we frequently used the services of professional pet
>>> sittters on both ends when we couldn't be there to tend to our
>>> furbabies on a daily basis. It was a major expense, but worth every
>>> penny. The bottom line is that when you bring animals into your life
you
>>> make a commitment to their care and welfare.
>>
>>Also well said, Nancy. With that commitment comes responsibility which a
>>lot of pet owners don't seem to have. I get the feeling that the OP is a
>>relatively new pet owner and may simply be ignorant of his pets' needs.
>>Pets thrive on human companionship and when that is removed they do
suffer
>>the lack of attention. Not to mention that an automatic feeder or
waterer
>>might malfunction and the animals have to go without.
>>
>>As you said, pet sitters may cost a bit, but they are worth every penny.
>
> No mister Boatwright.. I (the OP) am not a "new" pet owner... I'm
> just new at living alone in a city with no relatives.. and haven't
> ever needed such services.. Well except for in August, had to go out
> of town for work for 4 days with a 15 y.o. cat with bone cancer at
> home.. My chief pilot came by and took care of my kids then.. 30 miles
> round trip, Her mother in the hospital at the time but she came by
> twice a day to feed and pamper them ( and take the sick one out on
> leash for walk once a day)
> Since then, I had to put the sick one to sleep.. Vet had said 4 to 6
> weeks,,,, I got 53 weeks of good quality spoiling him after that..
> I'd feel bad asking her to look after the kids, when the job I'd be
> taking, would cause me to not be working for her, and her families
> company..
>
> I had been unaware of the pet sitting services... I trust my vets
> office and the people there... if one of them are interested. They
> specialize in cats only.. Also checked the local commercial pet
> sitting services... and for around 13 dollars per visit... with them
> being bonded... sounds like a good deal.
> My 3 year old male.. as long as he has food (hopper,gravity feed, )
> and water (when I'm going to be gone more than 18 hours I always have
> more than 1 source of water, one being a 1.5 gallon water dispenser
> from the big box store..) he really doesn't care what's going on...
> except checking out the squirrels outside the window..
> But my new little girl (around 7 months) is very social...
> The commercial services claim that they stick around at least 30
> minutes per visit.. And if they like cats at all.. they couldn't
> resist petting my little girl for at least an hour..
> I only asked to find out what my options are..since I had noted you
> had a few "kids"..
> Chuck
>

Sorry, Chuck. You didn't explain as much in your first post, and I along
with others also may have misinterpreted it. Boarding your pets is fine
since they get daily attention, but home care is the best (I'm sure you
already know that) if it's at all possible. Good luck on the new job!

Moving to a new city is difficult, especially when you don't know anyone.
We moved from NE Ohio to AZ in 2000 and knew only one couple who lived 85
miles from where our new house was located. I was not alone, as my partner
and I moved here together, and it was still difficult working out some
things about moving to a strange city.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________________________

A chicken in every pot is a *LOT* of chicken!

On Sat 03 Dec 2005 11:37:40p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?

> On 4 Dec 2005 07:37:01 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
>>On Sat 03 Dec 2005 10:51:32p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Chuck?
>>
>>> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>Chuck wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>><snip>
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>>>>> Thanks..
>>>>>> Chuck
>>>>>
>>>>>Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
>>>>>home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would
be
>>>>>better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
>>>>>more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said,
I
>>>>>could not do that to my cats.
>>>>I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight it is
>>>>a 7 day stretch)
>>>>As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out about
pet
>>>>sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...
>>>
>>> Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading.. update
>>> that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to working a
>>> more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend er.. baby
>>> sitter.. Chuck
>>>
>>
>>Yes, Chuck, your original post was a bit misleading. I interpreted it to
>>mean that your job would consist of regular 10-day trips away with an
>>unknown time period at home in between. This would be devastating to a
>>cat. Your one time 7-day trip can certainly be worked out. Pet sitters,
>>baby sitters, girlfriends, any or all would be the ticket. Good luck!
> Pet sitters would be less expensive than girlfriend I'm afraid...
> Chuck
>

Yes. You would not have to buy pet sitters gifts or take them out to
dinner. :-) And...no strings.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________________________

A chicken in every pot is a *LOT* of chicken!

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>> Pet sitters would be less expensive than girlfriend I'm afraid...
>> Chuck
>>
>
> Yes. You would not have to buy pet sitters gifts or take them out to
> dinner. :-) And...no strings.
>

and they go home...

--
..:Heather:.
www.velvet-c.com

Chuck wrote:
> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 08:15:37 +0200, cathyxyz
> > wrote:
>
>
>>Chuck wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Chuck wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>><snip>
>>>>>
>>>>>>My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>>>>>Thanks..
>>>>>>Chuck
>>>>>
>>>>>Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
>>>>>home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would be
>>>>>better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
>>>>>more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said, I
>>>>>could not do that to my cats.
>>>>
>>>>I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight it is
>>>>a 7 day stretch)
>>>>As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out about
>>>>pet sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...
>>>
>>>
>>>Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading.. update
>>>that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to working a
>>>more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend er.. baby
>>>sitter..
>>>Chuck
>>
>>Your OP was indeed misleading. It read like you would be away for 10
>>days and then home for 10 and then away again.... If it IS only one 10
>>(or 7) day stretch, have them boarded at a professional cattery or vet,
>> or get a cat-sitter if you feel they would be happier at home.
>
> Er.. Cathy.. You available to be a live in cat sitter by chance? ;-))

Sure. Send me an air-ticket and I will gladly come and cat-sit for you

--
Cheers
Cathy(xyz)

On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 09:39:29 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:

>Chuck wrote:
>> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 08:15:37 +0200, cathyxyz
>> > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Chuck wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Chuck wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>><snip>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>>>>>>Thanks..
>>>>>>>Chuck
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and your
>>>>>>home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think it would be
>>>>>>better if you found another home for your cats, where they would have
>>>>>>more hoomin love and company on a daily basis. Like others have said, I
>>>>>>could not do that to my cats.
>>>>>
>>>>>I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight it is
>>>>>a 7 day stretch)
>>>>>As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out about
>>>>>pet sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading.. update
>>>>that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to working a
>>>>more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend er.. baby
>>>>sitter..
>>>>Chuck
>>>
>>>Your OP was indeed misleading. It read like you would be away for 10
>>>days and then home for 10 and then away again.... If it IS only one 10
>>>(or 7) day stretch, have them boarded at a professional cattery or vet,
>>> or get a cat-sitter if you feel they would be happier at home.
>>
>> Er.. Cathy.. You available to be a live in cat sitter by chance? ;-))
>
>Sure. Send me an air-ticket and I will gladly come and cat-sit for you
Well.. be carefull for what ya' offer... as I could use a full time
cat sitter!
Chuck

Chuck wrote:
> On 4 Dec 2005 07:37:01 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
>> On Sat 03 Dec 2005 10:51:32p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it
>> Chuck?
>>
>>> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Chuck wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> <snip>
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>>>>> Thanks..
>>>>>> Chuck
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and
>>>>> your home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think
>>>>> it would be better if you found another home for your cats, where
>>>>> they would have more hoomin love and company on a daily basis.
>>>>> Like others have said, I could not do that to my cats.
>>>> I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight
>>>> it is
>>>> a 7 day stretch)
>>>> As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out
>>>> about pet sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...
>>>
>>> Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading..
>>> update that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to
>>> working a more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend
>>> er.. baby sitter..
>>> Chuck
>>>
>>
>> Yes, Chuck, your original post was a bit misleading. I interpreted
>> it to mean that your job would consist of regular 10-day trips away
>> with an unknown time period at home in between. This would be
>> devastating to a cat. Your one time 7-day trip can certainly be
>> worked out. Pet sitters, baby sitters, girlfriends, any or all
>> would be the ticket. Good luck!
> Pet sitters would be less expensive than girlfriend I'm afraid...
> Chuck

JESU CHRISTE... This is NOT the ng for you to find an online girlfriend. I
now suspect you don't have cats at all but are trolling for dates.

As an adult, I sure can't wait for school to get back in session.

Jill

On Sun, 4 Dec 2005 06:33:05 -0600, "jmcquown" >
wrote:

>Chuck wrote:
>> On 4 Dec 2005 07:37:01 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On Sat 03 Dec 2005 10:51:32p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it
>>> Chuck?
>>>
>>>> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 05:46:53 GMT, Chuck > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:33:15 +0200, cathyxyz
>>>>> > wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Chuck wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> <snip>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
>>>>>>> Thanks..
>>>>>>> Chuck
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes. Not to mention potentially dangerous to both the cats and
>>>>>> your home. If you are seriously considering the new job, I think
>>>>>> it would be better if you found another home for your cats, where
>>>>>> they would have more hoomin love and company on a daily basis.
>>>>>> Like others have said, I could not do that to my cats.
>>>>> I'm still talking about ONE 10 day stretch ( I found out tonight
>>>>> it is
>>>>> a 7 day stretch)
>>>>> As stated in another line in this thread.. I have now found out
>>>>> about pet sitters...which I'll still feel guilty about...
>>>>
>>>> Also,, I just noticed in my original post, it was misleading..
>>>> update that to 7 days gone (for training) then 10 days off prior to
>>>> working a more normal schedule,,, but I gotta find a new girlfriend
>>>> er.. baby sitter..
>>>> Chuck
>>>>
>>>
>>> Yes, Chuck, your original post was a bit misleading. I interpreted
>>> it to mean that your job would consist of regular 10-day trips away
>>> with an unknown time period at home in between. This would be
>>> devastating to a cat. Your one time 7-day trip can certainly be
>>> worked out. Pet sitters, baby sitters, girlfriends, any or all
>>> would be the ticket. Good luck!
>> Pet sitters would be less expensive than girlfriend I'm afraid...
>> Chuck
>
>JESU CHRISTE... This is NOT the ng for you to find an online girlfriend. I
>now suspect you don't have cats at all but are trolling for dates.
>
>As an adult, I sure can't wait for school to get back in session.
>
>Jill
>
Run out of your medication Jill?
Chuck

Chuck wrote:
>
> I have two cats, one 7 months, one 3 years.. They play well together.
> With current job, I'm home every day.. and they greet me when I get
> home... let me know they missed me..
> Now the problem.. I'm considering a new job that will require me to
> work 10 days (away from home) then 10 days off....
> I already use bulk water and dry food dispensers.. which I'd add one
> more of each for safety ..plus a couple automatic litter boxes ..
>
> I hate the idea of taking them to vets to be boarded in small cubicles
> which I would consider to be worse unless they were sick..
>
> With my current schedule, where I'm gone from 11 pm to 11 am, I leave
> a curtain open where they can keep an eye on the squirrel population,,
> just for entertainment.... I also keep a TV playing.. just so it's not
> too quiet.. I'm sometimes gone for 3 days.. and don't worry too much..
> I'm just wondering if 10 days is pushing it?
> I'm considering paying someone from the Vet's office to come by once
> or twice during these 10 day periods just to check on them and
> hopefully stay and play with them a few minutes. I can't imagine how
> much they'd charge.. I don't have any friends or relatives who live
> nearby.. Don't like trusting my home and cats to neighbors I really
> don't know....
>
> My question is.. Will 10 days alone be too stressful on them?
> Thanks..
> Chuck

Get a professional catsitter to stop by every day and
put out the food and water and clean the litter box
and play with them and pet them a little. Nowadays
they are bonded, etc. Ask for references and check
them.

Kate

-L. wrote:

> My brother left for an extended vacation and had someone come every 3-4
> days. During the day of their last visit or so one of his cats died
> unexpectedly and they failed to notice she wasn't alive (they thought
> she was asleep in the window). He came home to a cat that had been
> dead 5 days or possibly six. Not a pretty sight!


A friend went on vacation once a several days into the holiday his
Doberman just sat down and died. Big drama, the vacationer was on a
cruise (this was about 15 years ago) and the pet sitter (not me) was
all freaked out...


> Get a pet sitter - if for no other reason than peace of mind.


And be sure to register the pet sitter with your vet - just in case.
That way in case of any problems the sitter can take the pet to the vet
and there won't be any red tape, payment hassles, etc....

--
Best
Greg