Thanks for all the puppy tips CATMAN and baobab. I have booked him on the flight with us ($50). Good ideas about where to pick him up and not to feed him (he will only go about six or seven hours without food, I am sure that he will survive). baobab ... he is a five month old German Sheperd (dad) and Black Lab (mom) mix. Looks just like a Sheperd except for the webbed feet and already weighs 65 pounds ... monster dog! Unfortunately, my wife named him as I bought him for her as a present to keep her company while I travel and to make her feel more secure at home (we live in a safe neighborhood, but you know how it goes). His name is Tuffy (after the beenie baby dog). I digress ... will call the aireline and get the other details and am planning to call the vet too.

TCrazy

As Rudi would say I'm sooooooo jealous.

I don't have a pet as I am not at home all week. I feel even worse that usual now.

I'll just have to make do with the stuffed-giraffe SAA gave me last Christmas.
MF :-((

It's tough to have a pet when you travel a lot but if your traveling slows down Merry
FLyer cats are easier than most other pets
(Sorry DOg people.)

Cats are independent and only need food, clean litter box, combing and some love --
which they give in return ten times over.
Cats I guess are also very regal and royal,
very British too. Just ask Sir Edwin Landseer (Eddie... he got his Royal papers
the right way, unlike Sir Richard!) CATMAN

MF - I sympathise. If you don't have family/housemates who are willing to look after an animal in your absence it can be really difficult. The best thing about travelling less is that I can have a cat again (for the first time in ten years).

You'll just have to visit Catman and hang out with Eddie and Yaz. Catman might even have tips on how to balance being an animal-owner and an ff.... Swiss chocolates probably wouldn't work on pets.

A better treat for cats is catnip or one of those store bought cat treats.

Never ever feed a cat anything of the chocolate variety. It's toxic and deadly to
animals, esp. cats. (sorry Rudi even Swiss
Chocolate.) And try as they might, my cats
will not get Chocolate. (They can watch me
enjoying them though!) CATMAN

My life and "Cats"...

Since everyone here seems to be so into the subject, maybe I should tell everyone a story.

Since I moved to this house a year ago in the suburbs of Los Angeles, I've been having interesting feline related incidents.

A couple of months later I found a dead black cat in the attic. It got there from the roof and made its way to the attic. Not being able to get out, it died from hunger or whatever. I sometimes heard funny noises coming from the attic, but never suspected a cat. (Had it removed by "dead-animal disposal company)

Six months past and I found a cat stuck in the bathroom vent inside my warehouse. I walked into tbe bathroom and I heard a weird "meaw". The kitten had fallen from the roof of the warehouse to the vent that connects to the fan inside the bathroom. I called the landlord and he told me to call the fire dept. and not to touch the animal since it could be carrying a virus. Two minutes later the FD shows up all geared up and ready to rescue the kitten. Pretty embarassing. (Humane Society)

Two days later I found 1 kitten on my front door. While working downstairs, I heard another meaw. Funny how my ears were really "tuned" to that particular frequency. Voila. There it was. (Gave away)

The same day I found another one. (gave away)

Two days later I found another kitten inside a crack by the wall dividing my house to the neighbor's. (Gave away)

A month or two before moving into the house I met my girlfriend "Cat", short for Catarina. (We're still together).

So, could this be a sign? Hmmm.


I'm highly allergic to cats. I feel indifferent to them. I love animals but I suppose my health comes first. I'll keep you posted on the latest.

tim

I travel a lot so cats are great for me. I felt guilty leaving one cat home alone when I traveled, so I got a 2nd cat for company since they would be alone for days. Unfortunately, just after I got my 2nd cat, my 1st cat developed a kidney infection and now must have daily IV fluids injected for the rest of his life. Now traveling means trying to find someone to come over everyday that I am gone AND it must be someone willing to use a needle. I have almost had some trips cancelled because I couldn't find anyone for my cats. Cats are easy to care for, but when they get sick, realize that they will require much more time and money to care for; I estimate my cat's kidney infection will require an additional $8000.00 throughout his life to hire cat sitters and buy medical supplies. This is his 3rd year on fluids.

Aubie's story is the exception rather than the rule - most cats live to be about 15 years old, so it's a major commitment, but they are usually healthy until a year or so before they die, and even then their ill health is usually just a matter of slowing down & needing special food for old cats - having to IV a relatively young cat is unusual.

But having any kind of pet is a commitment, and you have to be willing to take care of them as Aubie is doing.

Sorry guys for going off the topic, but feeling creative today...

What about a mascot for FlyerTalk? If Inside
Flyer has that plane flying overhead, then
maybe FlyerTalk can have a cat in the cockpit for airlines, another sleeping in a suitcase
for hotels and a car in a car for car rental
firm postings WHEN WE GET THE SEPARATE BOARD!!!

Just a suggestion, but it might be fun to have a mascot or fun trademark symbol! (Maybe my cats can help!!!) CATMAN