Editor's Note
As
we enthusiastically present to you our annual fall travel issue, I couldn’t
help but consider the traveling I’ve done lately in my own city. You see, I’ve
recently moved into a brand-new apartment. This is very exciting to me. I was
disappointed in the last space I rented, so this is a welcomed change. It’s the
largest apartment I’ve had in the last couple of years and is ground level (a
feature that my cats will love). If travel is all about exploring new places,
then I’ve definitely taken a huge trip. Naturally, I can’t help but wonder what
my cats think of the transition. I’m sure they’ll appreciate this space more
than the last one. An increase in size is always a plus for animals who spend
their lives indoors. Besides, I’ve been adding new furniture and knick-knacks,
which drive them wild with curiosity. Also, they will surely be captivated by
the street-level views of squirrels, insects, and people passing them by on a
regular basis. I can’t imagine they’re ever going to leave the window sill! However,
I have a confession to make: This is the third time I’ve relocated them in the
past year. I was pretty settled into a nice apartment for the better part of
the decade, but leapt at an opportunity to spend last winter in
When
I returned from Down Under (tan and relaxed, I might add), I found a summer
lease that I took in haste because I needed to quickly re-acclimate myself. However,
within the first several days of living in this apartment I noticed something strange.
Nearly all the fur on the bottom half of my cat Parker’s coat was short and
matted, as if it had been licked off. I quickly alerted the cat experts in my
life, who informed me that she had probably licked it away in stress, due
perhaps to the change in surroundings and also to my absence. While her fur has
grown back nicely, it has made me realize how my actions affect my companion
pets. After all, what child would want to be separated from his parent for an
entire season and then moved three times in one year? I have definitely become
more sensitive to these issues and even find myself internally lashing out at people
in my life who don’t treat their pets with the utmost care and respect. For
example, a friend of mine told me he was thrilled to be moving in with a couple
of people who were renting an amazing apartment. However, because one of them
had allergies, his two cats were going to live in the suburbs with his parents.
While I am certain his family will provide a loving home for these pets, I was
still outraged. I thought, “I would never surrender my cats for a nice
apartment, especially when there are so many pet-friendly rentals and roommates
in the city.” Maybe people don’t realize that moving is among the top five
reasons why cats are given up for adoption.
I
have since cooled off and also realized that I don’t want to spend my life angry
with friends, co-workers, and acquaintances, especially since the underside of
my cat this summer clearly indicates that I am not infallible, but I’m
learning. So what do we conscientious pet guardians do knowing we live in a
world where some people think their pets are as disposable as an old sofa?
Unfortunately, I don’t have the perfect answer. However, the best thing I can
do is to continue advocating for shelter animals, while also holding my own
pets in high regard. I may not be able to save the millions of unwanted pets in
this world, but I saved the two whom I live with, and that means something,
especially to them. Now that we’re settled into our new digs, I can safely say
that my cats have done enough traveling for a while. However, we know there are
pets (especially canines) who love the wide-open road as much as we do. So
buckle up, bring all the necessary pet supplies, and don’t forget to pack this
issue of Chicagoland Tails.
Have
a safe trip!
Jason A. Heidemann
jason@ChicagolandTails.com
