3,000 Miles with a Deaf Cat

One of the challenges is changing coasts at this point in my life is what to do with an 8-lb wonder named Chester. He has been my buddy since I adopted him from a shelter over 9 years ago. He's been with me in two different apartments and has spent countless nights sleeping next to me. Or being banished to the bathroom.

Let me explain. Chester is very likely completely deaf. Of course, I didn't realize this until recently. But this diagnosis would explain why he sounds like a dying pterodactyl when he "meows." It can be disconcerting for someone who isn't used to it, and it also serves as a very annoying wake up call if he decides he needs to express himself in the middle of the night. Hence, the banishment to the bathroom when he just won't stop.

With this background in place, let's return to the problem at hand: how to get him across the country. Driving with him in the car for several days clearly was not an option. There were thoughts of him staying here with my parents, but the decision has been made for him to fly. With me. In the cabin.

So let me take this opportunity to apologize to all of the Alaska Airlines passengers on tomorrow's flight in advance. The vet says he can't take drugs because they could either a) kill him, or b) make him psychotic. If I had the drugs, I would freely distribute them to you, my fellow passengers, in addition to myself. At this point, I can only hope for a very engaging in-flight movie and no extra delays.