It's difficult for me to put into words the incredible gift that Mike and John gave to Sammie Cat and I. Anyone who has traveled with their pet(s) internationally Trans-Atlantic, knows whereof I speak! Then, factor in extremely hot summer temperatures which mean that any location over 85F on your travel itinerary and your pet can't fly. The cost and the stress are formidable.
That's why when Mike and John offered to keep Sam for the two months I squeezed out for myself this summer; I jumped at the chance.
I knew I'd miss the little stinker (who can almost become an attachment to your own body at times), but I also knew that it would be best for both of us in the long run. I couldn't have been more correct.
Most mornings, I'd wake up in Cadrieu to the "Sam Report" complete with photos. Mike made sure that I knew exactly what was going on with our girl during her stay at Mahogany Oaks. Mike was the caretaker most of the time and even had a little hazardous duty with the remaining antibiotics for her UTI and the July administration of her flea and tick prevention...not much fun.
Pretty soon she was: following him around the house; chatting to him when it was time to eat; begging for treats; and, beng his new best friend and shadow.
Into the second month, the photos told another story. Sam had fallen in love with John. She began: sleeping with John; hanging out with John; and, even joining the two of them for treats at the Mahogany Oaks Bar (MOB) during happy hour. I knew I'd lost her when Mike told me that John had been feeding her tastes of his bacon during breakfast. She'd become John's girl.
Friends and family were taking bets that she'd become a Mahogany Oaks Cat, and would just turn her nose up at me, hiss, and walk away once I got there.
Fortunately, that didn't happen. Now that she's been home with me almost a week, we are settling back in to our own routines nicely. In the beginning, she'd wander around a bit as if she were looking for Mike and John. She was back in the bed with me that very first night. I did have some Baco's in the cabinet and gave them a try, but they just weren't the real thing. I'd halfway expected her to meow outloud: "Where is the bacon, Laury?...Oh, I guess this ham and salami will have to do!"
I am happy she's home and a very HUGE MERCI to Mike and John. Isn't it great when we can be better than family? Samme Cat and I love you both!
I'll share a little chronology of Mike's photos (with a touch of editing) sometime soon!
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