We went to Colorado for a week and Ginger Kitty had to go into boarding. She figured out we were going and made it known she didn't approve. You have never heard such complaints as we got for the whole week beforehand. I swear she didn't let me out of her sight the whole week.

She has been using her soft side carrier as a cave so we didn't expect any problems putting her in it, but suddenly, she just didn't fit. It took both of us to insert one cat who suddenly had at least 8 legs, rather than the usual 4. For some reason, DH simply had to go to Krogers rather than one of the other stores that carry the cat food Ginger will eat. We wasted 2 hours travel time going from Krogers to Scotts to another Krogers and he still didn't find the right food. When we finally got to the vet's, Ginger was still complaining but she was now directing her distress to the technician checking her in. Then, she released her fur. Have you ever seen a cat suddenly lose what looks like a quarter of it's fur? I know it wasn't really that much but it surely looked like it. There was white cat hair everywhere even though she was still in the carrier. All in all, the drop off was just a hint to the tech of what was in store.

When we got back I made sure to wear clothing that had not been marked by my son's 3 cats. I don't think it made a difference. When I arrived at the Vet's, the tech gave me Ginger's report card for the week and told me that Ginger was really a smart and lovable cat even though she upset all their routines. Ha! As if I didn't know that would happen. The first problem was Ginger did not like being near the other cats and became so upset they put her in her own private room with all her toys and bed from home. That calmed her down a bit but she was still upset and talked to them all the time. The tech was surprised that it really seemed like talking rather than crying. The first time they put down food for her, she looked at it, yowled, turned around and walked away. She did not eat for the whole week and lost 5 ounces which is a lot for a 6 and a half pound cat. They had to treat her for dehydration.

Since she seemed lonely, they gave her extra exercise time and let her out with them while they worked in the boarding area, especially the hour before opening in the morning. She wouldn't let them pick her up or cuddle her but she followed them around and discussed everything she saw. The tech was a bit embarrassed to admit she answered what seemed to be questions or comments several times. When they brought her out she was talking to them and when she saw me she had fits, scolding and in general, telling me off. She was still doing it when we got home.

She has been my constant companion this week. I can not move from one room to another without her behind or beside me. She is eating so much I was afraid she would make herself sick. It looks like she has gained back what she lost and more. As I do the laundry she sits on the dryer or checks out the clothing, especially what I wore when I played with the other kitties. She even gets into the dryer. What a week. It seems we won't be making very many trips from now on. It's too hard on the tech. Sandy