Liza, my 5 lb Maltese, put down today

[Roly Nelson]

Liza (Doolittle) and I have enjoyed many camping trips together, but in the last few months, her health kept going down hill. When we rescued her from the shelter, about 5 years ago, we knew she was a "little old lady", and she might not last too long. I was able to take her for 1/2 hour walks, but lately she was only able to make it to the end of the driveway. At the end, couldn't see or hear very well. She only had one tooth, well actually, only a half of a tooth, so had a time eating even soft foods.

A couple of months ago, I took in a full-grown, young male tabby cat, "Professor Henry Higgins" full of love and very energenic. After getting him altered, he has become a fine companion for me. Liza wasn't too fond of him, but nevertheless, they got along fairly well. The loss of a pet, leaves a hole in your heart, and I know that I have done the right thing to put an end to her problems. Those of you that have experinced such a loss, know what I am talking about.

Now I am pondering putting a harness on Higgins to see how he handles on a leash. I would like to try to take him along on my TD trips, and wonder if anyone out there has had any luck with traveling cats. Some years ago, Ollie and I took our house cat back to the midwest, for about 8 months, in our motorhome. That cat even had his own "excape tube" from the MH to a fold-up cage placed on the ground. Worked out very well, and who knows, perhaps I can do it again. Oh oh, does that mean I'll have to build a similar cat-cage out of wood?

Roly, planning on another week's stay at our friends horse ranch near Fresno, CA........Great!

[satch]

My heart goes out to you Roly. Hope you enjoy the Fresno trip.

[Mightydog]

All pets are buddies that are tough to let go of, Roly. Hope you and the Professor carry on without her.

Enjoy your trip.

[doug hodder]

So sorry to hear of this Roly. Saying goodbye to Daisy was one of the hardest things I ever did in my life. Wishing you the best. Doug

[planovet]

Sorry to hear that Roly. That's the toughest thing I do as a vet, putting down someone's child. Puts a big damper on the day for me.

Talk to Dave Lovelace (davel). They travel with a cat in their tear on occasion. Surprisingly it runs around but not away. It did get in a fight with a skunk when we went to Lake Ray Roberts last weekend.

[Eunice]

Roly I am so sorry. It does leave a BIG hole in your heart. My LuLu was my baby but Rocky and Rosey have filled the hole for me. It sounds like your cat will be a fine companion. I am sure you can train him to walk on a leash and camp just fine. My mom took her cat in their RV and had no problems. My brother has a cat who acts just like a dog too. rides in the car, takes walks everything. good luck training him

[Pam Wright]

Roly,

I'm so sorry to hear about Liza and happy to hear about Professor Henry Higgins....

Shelly brought her 2 cats with us from Colorado, when we came to the Dam Gathering in 2007.... They travel with her often.... I used to have a Siameze named Rajah that traveled with me everywhere.... Also had Campie, a Tabby from AZ join us last September at the Last Gasp!!!!

Hope to meet the Professor sometime cmaping with you!

pam

[Cliffmeister2000]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Liza. You gave her some happy years at the end, and she returned the favor! We should all be so fortunate!

We went camping 2 weeks ago, and the folks in the huge motorhome next to us had a big orange tabby with a harness on it. The cat seemed to handle it quite well!

[S. Heisley]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Roly. She's gone but never forgotten. She's still with you in spirit. Here's hoping you and Mr Higgins do okay as camping bachelor-buddies.

[Miriam C.]

So sorry for your loss Roly. Hope you and the Professor work it out. I am not a cat person but my son's cats act just like the dogs. Better some times. Give it a try!

[Todah Tear]

Roly, may God send you another furry friend, to cover you with licks and fur that will fill the void that Liza left and really soon. Liza, was fortunate to have you and you her. Just think, in some shelter there is another pair of large eyes watching and waiting for the big heart who has enough room in it for them.

Todah

[Alfred]

Dear Roly,

Very sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is like losing a family member. I had a friend in Tampa who had two cats who were both leash trained. Local paper did an article about it several years ago.

Hang in there!

Al in Asheville

[Catoosa Grani]

Roly, I am so sorry to hear about your Liza. I have been through it before

and know what it is to lose a beloved pet. Good luck with your new buddy

and I hope he helps you adjust being with out Liza.

Grani

[swissarmygirl]

Sorry for your loss, Roly.

[Laredo]

Roly, please accept my condolences.

I believe Professor Henry will be fine if you don't get in a big hurry with the leash training. Cats are notoriously not obedience-class-able animals, but ...

my buddy Rushlight likes to go for rides. Born in 1994, getting a bit arthritic these days. He'll sit up on the console (Dodge truck, divided bench seat) and watch the world go by.

put into a carrier to go to the vet's, though, 'tis a much different story. If you'll be traveling far from home, look into a microchip for your friend, and make sure he's up-to-date on all vaccinations. You might want to get copies of the receipts/records to prove that from your vet and carry 'em along if you'll be crossing state lines together.

Good luck, best wishes, and may all your memories of Liza be joyful.