It takes a village to 1) raise a child and to 2) back you up when you've got critters and are going on vacation, which I've been reminding myself this past week as I've attempted to line up someone in the neighborhood to come in daily to feed my three cats.
Finally, after being turned down by two young ladies, both of whom live within two minutes walking distance from my house, my wonderful next door neighbor (who has always taken on the role of cat nanny) agreed to help me out again. She knows my cats, I don't have to leave a detailed, written list for her, and, as close as she can, she'll stick to the routines that my cats rely on.
The dogs were easy. Josephine always stays with another of my good friends who lives down the street and around the corner from me. Margo has always had dogs. Her current canine bud is an ex-racing greyhound. She's got a small, fenced yard and Josephine loves to stay with her.
Jasper boards at Orchard Kennels and this time, Tessa will tag along with him. They'll be in runs with a door allowing access to each other. I've known the owner and her staff for years and their philosophies on raising and living with dogs are similar to mine. (Shh! She's ten pounds -at least - under their weight requirement, but they got a good look at her when she visited. So, they already know that.)
Tessa will go with her anxiety wrap. In fact, she'll be wearing it. She's been out to Orchard Kennels once before to check things out in anticipation of this coming week. And, she's beginning to understand what "Tessa, guard the house" means.
But. This is the first time she'll be in a boarding kennel since we got her almost three months ago. And, somewhere in her conditioned response memory are the sights and smells of being in a shelter in Indiana. The shelter where she was slated for euthanasia.
I know that this time, boarding will be good for her. She needs to know that there are times when she does get left behind, that other humans will take care of her and that her human family will come back for her. And, she'll have Jasper.
I've left verbal instructions with our vet's office (we've been taking our animals to Brighton Animal Hospital for more than 15 years) that they have our unconditioned approval to handle any and all emergencies in our absence. I used to write this all up in a letter with copies distributed to everyone, but, after all of this time, a phone call carries the same weight as my written permission.
We're almost ready to go. And, Jasper, Josephine, Tessa, and three cats, are almost ready to stay.
"Tessa, Josephine and Jasper: guard the house."
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