Another Lucy Update- Travel Cat

May 17, 2022

Pre-Travel Cat Prep

Hi there! Lucy (my travel cat companion) is doing as well as to be expected with all things considering. The new vet is working out great. All meds are filled easily now. I visited the pet store and stocked up on her favorites before heading out. Leaving was pretty straight forward.

Before traveling, Lucy had never been on a trip except to the vet. She did not like traveling at all. So before her first trip out, I went to the (old) vet and asked how to make her a travel cat. I needed a way to calm her anxiety and relieve her motion sickness. The vet prescribed alprazolam. It’s worked really well. I give it about an hour before we leave. Lucy’s reaction has become predictable which helped me. I have to restrict food and water or I am constantly pulling over to clean her up.

Pre trip prep also included lots of rest, a good ear cleaning and fresh bandana. Bandanas are staying. It keeps her from scratching and licking the area of her neck which has become itchy. A bandana is not only stylish, it also keeps the area dry. She doesn’t try to get it off. The new vet agreed that because of her age and we can’t determine the cause of her itchy spot, a bandana works.

On The Road

As I said, she’s become predictable. She lets me know when she’s ready for a fresh pee pad which may or may not require pulling over, depending on the severity. The link is to the ones I love the most. I’ve tried several brands and keep coming back to these made by Glad. #ad

She tells me when she’s thirsty and hungry and gets a small snack and water during gas fill ups. Which is usually around every 3 hours. As I said before, restricting keeps us both calm and clean.

Lucy in her carrier in the front seat of my truck

This carrier continues to amaze me. I got it on Amazon. Here’s the Link if you want to check it out. #ad

It’s by Siivton and airline approved! All sides fold out to become this large tent like thing. It doubles as a carrier and a litter box. I put a pee pad inside and she goes in and does her business. It’s so easy and convenient. It unzips all the way around so when we get to where we are going. I can unzip it, spray it down and keep using it. This carrier is completely soft sided but it’s maintained it’s structure for now.

Easy carry on straps. If I’m going somewhere I don’t want to advertise I have an animal, I throw a blanket over the carrier and it looks like luggage. Whoever designed this was a genius.

Staying In Kansas City

Lucy is becoming an old pro at being a travel cat. We have developed a routine when we get to where we are going. I get her set up and leave her alone. She needs time to herself. Then when Lucy is ready, she interacts and acclimates to her new surroundings.

One trip to the pet store while in Kansas City was required to stock up on food and more treats!

Travel Cat Leaving KC

The road trip back to Kentucky was uneventful. We talked for about 4 hours. Then she decided to nap the rest of the way. When we got back, she was tired so she slept some more. She was her usual self the following morning. She purred, ate, and did all of her kitty things. Until our next adventure!!

Thanks for reading! Feel free to ask any questions or leave any tips. We are still learning on this new adventure of ours.

One response to “Another Lucy Update- Travel Cat”

Linda shidler

May 17, 2022 at 1:52 pm

Hi Lucy, you are looking good and I miss you

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About Me and My Grief Journey

My grief journey began in the Summer of 2020. I became a widow overnight. Without warning, my entire life was turned upside down, broken into pieces I didn’t know how to put back together. Writing became my anchor—my way to breathe, process, and heal, even in small, fractured moments.

After losing Eric, I was diagnosed with PTSD, complicated grief, and an anxiety disorder. For a long time, I was paralyzed by my own emotions. I traveled across the U.S. for over two years, mostly alone, learning how to carry myself through the aftermath of sudden loss.

Along the way, I found love again. Greg became an important part of my life, bringing companionship, laughter, and even new challenges. Losing him to suicide has been another unimaginable heartbreak that shapes much of what I write here. Through it all, my emotional support animals —Odin (dog) and Freija (cat)— keep me grounded and remind me there is still love, life, and care to give.

I moved and now reside in Chicago, Illinois. This city, this home, is my space to rebuild, to grieve, and to explore who I am beyond loss.

What you will find here

This blog started as a place to house my writing. Over time, it’s become much more. Here, I reflect on grief, healing, and the messy, beautiful, often difficult journey of life after sudden loss. I write about my day-to-day experiences, the struggles and triumphs with my diagnoses, and anything else that captures my heart and attention.

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