Teresa and Poopy
Very Active Member
Pre-travel: For a week before hitting the road, Poopy wore his halter full time. We started calling him Mr. Tinkle as the added tag ("Diabetic" on one side, my cell number on the other) would occasionally jingle against the vet tag and his name "necklace". As soon as we knew Poopy was diabetic and would need to travel with me, I started taking him on car rides and short trips to prepare him for the vacation trip. At first the howling was very unpleasant, for both of us. Poopy seemed to get used to the trips as he no longer howled, but would voice his displeasure before settling down to nap.
Night before the trip: all is well until the hour trip to Mom's. Poopy didn't howl for the car ride but did voice his objections at being trapped in the "land blurring" machine. Really liked the A/C blowing directly on him, imitating the "dog's head out the window" look. Once at Mom's, Poopy had his own luxury suite (the guest room, away from her pets) for the night. Libby, Mom's cat, offered to entertain Poopy with the "who can stick their paw further under the door" game. All is good.
Travel day: While Poopy enjoyed his own luxury suite for the night, he was ready for some mommy time. After a good loving stroke down, I packed Poopy in his travel crate - a Medium sized dog carrier large enough for Poopy to move freely around in and just small enough for momma bean to barely carry to the van. The captain's chairs lent themselves well for wedging the crate into the passenger seat behind the front passenger seat so we could keep an eye on the Poopster. We hit the road just before 5 am. No howling from the Poop but again voicing his displeasure at being trapped in the "land blurring" machine. Stopping just down the road for our travel coffees, Poopy got to stretch his legs and was offered his litter box. He did his morning business a la naturale (in the grass). The strange landscape and noise made the travel crate a welcoming sight. Once on the road again, Poopy wasn't so vocal in his displeasure. (I learned this trick during the prep. Make a short stop and he would be quieter once back in the car.)
About 7 am we stopped for breakfast, and to test the Poop and feed him so he can have his morning shot. After a nice walk around the neighboring plot in his halter and on a shortened leash, with two inquisitive ponies checking out the Poopster and Poopy taking care of business in his litter box (guess he didn't want to leave interesting scents for the ponies), Poop tested at 318. Not surprising due to the car ride. Since it was cool out, we parked in the shade, cracked the windows, offered Poopy his food and went to grab a quick bite to eat. Half hour later, Poopy hadn't eaten more than a bite or two so no shot. We hit the road again to minimal vocal displeasure.
While Poopy would talk to us while traveling, he wasn't howling. About every two hours Poopy would become vocal with a deeper voice, a bit more than just chatter, and we'd stop for a stretch. Most times Poopy would do a little business, either in his litter box or a la naturale. Keeping him from eating grass was the main concern (as it is always when he is outside).
Once we reached our destination, Poopy had to check out every inch of the motel room, then flopped on one of the beds, proclaiming it fit for a king! He is royalty, you know. Poopy's entertainment included the area feral cats, as they would come by the front window so they could check each other out. As can be seen by Poopy's BGs, he settled in nicely. (In the 200s except when I under dosed.) For not having a morning shot, I was pleased with the 296 BG reading for the evening. Poopy ate well so had his shot.
Poopy resumed his normal routine during our stay. Traveling changed one aspect of caring for Poopy. We had gotten into the routine of test, feed, and giving him his shot while he ate. Not knowing how he would do traveling, I waited to see his eating habits before giving him his shots. During the actual travel, this was a good thing, as he did not get his shots both mornings of travel as he wouldn't eat.
During our stay, we set up a large wire dog kennel to hold Poopy's litter box, food and water bowls, and with plenty of extra room to stretch out for Poopy to inhabit while we were away from the motel room (being unsure of how he would react in the room alone, and very unsure he wouldn't "escape" when maids came to do the room, we figured the crate was the way to go). Poopy did well with the arrangement. The second day at the motel, though, we did have an issue. When we returned to the motel room around 3pm, Poopy was laying in his litter box (not usual at all) and howled at our entrance (also not usual). After opening the crate, Poopy slowly emerged, chatting away, clearly signaling something was wrong. The poor baby had feces stuck to his back side. After draping him over my lap in the bathroom, and holding him still (thank goodness for halters!), he endured the indignity of having my mom clean him up. For folks who have yet to experience this adventure, it is not a one person job! Heck, it was difficult for two! Afterward, we hoped mom got all the soap off, and we were pleased to see Poopy resume his grooming without blowing any bubbles.
The last day of our stay, the motel owner and her daughter came by to meet the Poopmeister. When booking the room, I had talked with the owner regarding traveling with Poopy since he was a diabetic, needing daily care. After mentioning the wire kennel for use during our absences, she was willing for him to stay too. It happens the daughter is an avid cat fan, caring for the the local feral cats, catching and having them fixed as well as feeding them, and having 18 cats calling her house their home, they were interested to check out a diabetic cat. Poopy thrilled them both by being on his best behavior, allowing them to stroke his fur and marvel at his size and beauty. Have I ever mentioned Poopy is spoiled? After much discussion of how healthy Poopy appeared, pre- and post- diagnosis, and his daily care, we were invited back to stay next year.
The trip back was a bit more eventful as Poopy had a better idea of how to cause stops, and while he was quicker at doing his business, either a la naturale or gracing his litter box, when we would stop, he asked to stop more often. He still didn't howl but he was noisier the first few hours of the return trip. Since we were in the mountains, it was a bit more stressful for me, the driver. Once we hit the highway, and smoother roads, Poopy was quieter. I wonder if it was the twisty turny up and down roads or the typical start of all his trips that had him so vocal? I do know he's not telling.
The last leg of the trip, from Mom's to home, Poopy rode as he does in my car - passenger seat with his short lead attached to the buckled seat beat. Enough lead to move around in the seat, to peer out the window, and to just reach my right leg without being able to crawl into my lap or between me and the steering wheel. Another round of "dog's head out the window" faces at the blowing A/C vents, some momma bean strokes on the head, and then nap time for the remainder of the trip home.
By no means will I assume to know what is going on in Poopy's head, but I think he prefers to travel outside the crate, able to at least touch momma bean and to be touched, even though it means less room to move around in. (Which wouldn't have been possible in the van we traveled in anyway,) That or the stinker actually understood we were on the last leg!
Once home, Poopy made sure the other fuzzies knew he was back, greeting each one, letting them sniff him all over, graced the litter box, and demanded to be fed. Yep. Back to normal in no time!
A side note: It was interesting to see the difference in Poopy's reaction when a car would go by versus an 18 wheeler. Cars would cause apprehension, ears on alert, and all that, but an 18 wheeler would cause an all out alert, body tense and crouched, ears back, eyes wide and fearful, with the occasional howl. Poor baby doesn't like 18 wheelers.
Night before the trip: all is well until the hour trip to Mom's. Poopy didn't howl for the car ride but did voice his objections at being trapped in the "land blurring" machine. Really liked the A/C blowing directly on him, imitating the "dog's head out the window" look. Once at Mom's, Poopy had his own luxury suite (the guest room, away from her pets) for the night. Libby, Mom's cat, offered to entertain Poopy with the "who can stick their paw further under the door" game. All is good.
Travel day: While Poopy enjoyed his own luxury suite for the night, he was ready for some mommy time. After a good loving stroke down, I packed Poopy in his travel crate - a Medium sized dog carrier large enough for Poopy to move freely around in and just small enough for momma bean to barely carry to the van. The captain's chairs lent themselves well for wedging the crate into the passenger seat behind the front passenger seat so we could keep an eye on the Poopster. We hit the road just before 5 am. No howling from the Poop but again voicing his displeasure at being trapped in the "land blurring" machine. Stopping just down the road for our travel coffees, Poopy got to stretch his legs and was offered his litter box. He did his morning business a la naturale (in the grass). The strange landscape and noise made the travel crate a welcoming sight. Once on the road again, Poopy wasn't so vocal in his displeasure. (I learned this trick during the prep. Make a short stop and he would be quieter once back in the car.)
About 7 am we stopped for breakfast, and to test the Poop and feed him so he can have his morning shot. After a nice walk around the neighboring plot in his halter and on a shortened leash, with two inquisitive ponies checking out the Poopster and Poopy taking care of business in his litter box (guess he didn't want to leave interesting scents for the ponies), Poop tested at 318. Not surprising due to the car ride. Since it was cool out, we parked in the shade, cracked the windows, offered Poopy his food and went to grab a quick bite to eat. Half hour later, Poopy hadn't eaten more than a bite or two so no shot. We hit the road again to minimal vocal displeasure.
While Poopy would talk to us while traveling, he wasn't howling. About every two hours Poopy would become vocal with a deeper voice, a bit more than just chatter, and we'd stop for a stretch. Most times Poopy would do a little business, either in his litter box or a la naturale. Keeping him from eating grass was the main concern (as it is always when he is outside).
Once we reached our destination, Poopy had to check out every inch of the motel room, then flopped on one of the beds, proclaiming it fit for a king! He is royalty, you know. Poopy's entertainment included the area feral cats, as they would come by the front window so they could check each other out. As can be seen by Poopy's BGs, he settled in nicely. (In the 200s except when I under dosed.) For not having a morning shot, I was pleased with the 296 BG reading for the evening. Poopy ate well so had his shot.
Poopy resumed his normal routine during our stay. Traveling changed one aspect of caring for Poopy. We had gotten into the routine of test, feed, and giving him his shot while he ate. Not knowing how he would do traveling, I waited to see his eating habits before giving him his shots. During the actual travel, this was a good thing, as he did not get his shots both mornings of travel as he wouldn't eat.
During our stay, we set up a large wire dog kennel to hold Poopy's litter box, food and water bowls, and with plenty of extra room to stretch out for Poopy to inhabit while we were away from the motel room (being unsure of how he would react in the room alone, and very unsure he wouldn't "escape" when maids came to do the room, we figured the crate was the way to go). Poopy did well with the arrangement. The second day at the motel, though, we did have an issue. When we returned to the motel room around 3pm, Poopy was laying in his litter box (not usual at all) and howled at our entrance (also not usual). After opening the crate, Poopy slowly emerged, chatting away, clearly signaling something was wrong. The poor baby had feces stuck to his back side. After draping him over my lap in the bathroom, and holding him still (thank goodness for halters!), he endured the indignity of having my mom clean him up. For folks who have yet to experience this adventure, it is not a one person job! Heck, it was difficult for two! Afterward, we hoped mom got all the soap off, and we were pleased to see Poopy resume his grooming without blowing any bubbles.
The last day of our stay, the motel owner and her daughter came by to meet the Poopmeister. When booking the room, I had talked with the owner regarding traveling with Poopy since he was a diabetic, needing daily care. After mentioning the wire kennel for use during our absences, she was willing for him to stay too. It happens the daughter is an avid cat fan, caring for the the local feral cats, catching and having them fixed as well as feeding them, and having 18 cats calling her house their home, they were interested to check out a diabetic cat. Poopy thrilled them both by being on his best behavior, allowing them to stroke his fur and marvel at his size and beauty. Have I ever mentioned Poopy is spoiled? After much discussion of how healthy Poopy appeared, pre- and post- diagnosis, and his daily care, we were invited back to stay next year.
The trip back was a bit more eventful as Poopy had a better idea of how to cause stops, and while he was quicker at doing his business, either a la naturale or gracing his litter box, when we would stop, he asked to stop more often. He still didn't howl but he was noisier the first few hours of the return trip. Since we were in the mountains, it was a bit more stressful for me, the driver. Once we hit the highway, and smoother roads, Poopy was quieter. I wonder if it was the twisty turny up and down roads or the typical start of all his trips that had him so vocal? I do know he's not telling.
The last leg of the trip, from Mom's to home, Poopy rode as he does in my car - passenger seat with his short lead attached to the buckled seat beat. Enough lead to move around in the seat, to peer out the window, and to just reach my right leg without being able to crawl into my lap or between me and the steering wheel. Another round of "dog's head out the window" faces at the blowing A/C vents, some momma bean strokes on the head, and then nap time for the remainder of the trip home.
By no means will I assume to know what is going on in Poopy's head, but I think he prefers to travel outside the crate, able to at least touch momma bean and to be touched, even though it means less room to move around in. (Which wouldn't have been possible in the van we traveled in anyway,) That or the stinker actually understood we were on the last leg!
Once home, Poopy made sure the other fuzzies knew he was back, greeting each one, letting them sniff him all over, graced the litter box, and demanded to be fed. Yep. Back to normal in no time!
A side note: It was interesting to see the difference in Poopy's reaction when a car would go by versus an 18 wheeler. Cars would cause apprehension, ears on alert, and all that, but an 18 wheeler would cause an all out alert, body tense and crouched, ears back, eyes wide and fearful, with the occasional howl. Poor baby doesn't like 18 wheelers.
Okay, excuse me, you think the cat is going to be out of the carrier and not get on a single piece of furniture?? Or, what if I hold one, then get into bed and the hair falls from me to the bed...oh, PUH-LEASE!