We made it this far!! (move update)

[Tina B and crew]

Just wanted to stop in and say hi We closed on the house last Friday, November 18...so we are officially homeless and unemployed..LOL. The cats made the transition to my dd's house just fine. Cricket hissed a lot the first day. We isolated her in the same room with Frodo and Willow and Gizmo, poor boy, got a room alone. Over the weekend we managed to let them all out into the house and so far all 7 cats are getting along beautifully!! Now, don't get me wrong...they aren't buddying up or anything. And dd's cat Lily doesn't take to well to Gizmo getting near her. But so far we have had no fights, no peeing outside the litter box and not much growling We did have a poop or two outside the box, but that was a klingon I believe *snork* Right now we are letting all the cats have free roam of the house and it's so quiet..yay!! Frodo adjusted immediately..which amazed us because when we moved 11 years ago she went beserk. I wonder if her loss of hearing has anything to do with it *shrug*

Anyway, Gizmo and Cricket had their vet visit this past week and I'm still waiting to get Giz's bloodwork back..but all looks fine with him. Vet gave me some acepromazine (sp?) to use for traveling. We tested it out on Cricket last night and while she didn't get "knocked out" she was quite calm once I confined her to a room. We leave with her tomorrow. I've got her records and vaccination certificate that I will carry with me. We have reservations so stopping won't bring us any surprises. I hope she adjusts as well up there as she did her. She's LOVING having all these cats to play with

Anyway...I'll try to let you know how it goes...my dd only has dial up and I'm being tortured trying to use it...grrrr. Take care!

[Traci]

Glad to hear "phase one" is working out so far

[Tina B and crew]

Phase II complete!

Cricket made the trip to VA without a hitch, and she LOVED the drugs She made hardly a peep the whole way....she did seem somewhat nervous in the hotel room, but the next morning she took her pill and got in her carrier without one bit of resistance. We made it to my parents at about 3 that afternoon and she settled in there just fine. We decided against driving her down to my daughters since it was another 1 1/2 hours that night. Sunday morning we took her down there and she came right out of the carrier and started exploring. All of their cats hid at first, there were a few growls and hisses but no fights. It was hard for me to leave her, but she seemed to be adjusting just fine and my dd said that when we left all the cats came out and by the next day were cautiously checking each other out. So far so good!! Tuesday next week we pack up Frodo, Gizmo and Willow and head out for good...let's hope that goes without a hitch too

In other news...Gizmo was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism too. I suspected as much since he had lost weight in the last few months. So now we have two geriatric cats to move with hyperthyroidism...and then to try and find some place to treat them up there *sigh*...that's been my major stress factor

I'll check in again when I can.

[Traci]

Did you discuss thyroid medications with your vet before leaving? Are you giving them now? I'd be concerned about the stress for them and not having that treatment plan.

[Cleo]

Just wanted to chime in and say I'm glad things are going well so far. I'll keep a good thought for the rest of the way!

[Tina B and crew]

Traci..yes, we did discuss using Tapazole until I can get permanent treatment in VA. We did a second T4 level on Frodo this week and I'll discuss it with my vet once the results are returned. Right now I'm just trying not to stress...I think the cats are all doing better than I am.

Of course it was just my luck the my test run of acepromazine on Willow did not turn out well. She freaked!! She did not calm down and I was up with her all night last night. When I confined her to her carrier she went vocal on me. The other cats simply became quite calm and went to sleep, none of them freaked out like Willow did. Now we have to look at another alternative for her because she doesn't travel well at all.

Tell me this will all work out and I won't have ulcers when it is said and done

[Traci]

Ace isn't a cure-all for all pets, and it does have it's limitations.

For Willow, try tiring her out the night before with a good meal, exercise and cuddle-time.....try making her blankets warm in her carrier right before you leave. Talk to her in a soft voice when you start out, then reduce the talking to a mimimun...when she doesn't get a cooing response from you, she may settle into her carrier and be calmer.

[Tina B and crew]

We made it all the way!!! Woohoo!! The cats all did fine considering it was an 800 mile trip. Willow didn't travel well at all and tranquilizers didn't work for her, so she meowed the entire way. But once she got here she settled in and has been just fine. She enjoys watching the birds and squirrels out back. Gizmo and Frodo are doing good too. They've adjusted well except for Gizmo thinks he can go out the back sliding door just like home. He's gotten out twice now but fortunately he stops about 2 feet out the door and turns around. Not sure he likes the cold

Oh...and I guess this is good news for Frodo...her thyroid levels have dropped!! I'm gonna have her checked again in February and if they haven't dropped anymore I will look into treatment. She's doing great though...I think the cold weather actually agrees with her

So we are here...our travel trailer is delivered on Thursday and we will move into it with Frodo and Willow. Gizmo will stay at my parents house which will be all of about 20 feet from us Then we get down to business of looking for jobs and deciding on a permanent dwelling...yay!!

[Traci]

I'm so glad to hear things are working out so far, thanks for keeping us updated.

Woohoo on Frodo's thyroid levels!

[Tambrey]

Well...taht is a relief to be behind you now...and it sounds like you will be in your own home in time for the Holidays?!

Good luck on the job hunting!...If you need some good paying one day jobs to get you through until something permament...go to NARMS and register there...I get called for one day reset jobs...and get paid an average of $12 an hour...last week I did two resets for GE (lighting)...I rearranged the lightbulb aisle acccording to a new plan-o-gram...EASY work...and they have a rep for the company there to work with you...
OR...I have a friend who ONLY does this full time...he has alot of companies he just checks or stocks/resets merchandise for...and he schedules his days so that he will not walk out the door unless he is going to make $200 that day...he also mystery shops, and chooses a restaurant that is on the local list that needs to be shopped, so then he gets reimbursed for his meal there too! It has taken him abour 3 years to get that many companies, but he only works 3 days a week and makes ad ecent living at it! His wife also does the same, so they try to schedule their working days the same, and have days off together...sometimes it works, sometimes not...

Edited one more time...BTW...where in VA are you?...I grew up in VA!