A Cat's Journey

Chico, my cat, is a vagabond. Before the pandemic he would rise early with my husband, get fed and roam the streets until early evening. He also had developed a reputation on our Marigny block as a little bit of a bully. I noticed that neighbors walking their innocent dogs would cross the street instead of walking past Chico. One neighbor even accused him of flattening his car tire—as if! Like all good cat moms, I defended my poor Chico. I had witnessed his hissing at dogs and chasing random cats, but damaging someone’s tire was too much, even for Chico. Nonetheless, Chico, my lovely foundling, had developed a bad rap among my neighbors and friends. So when my husband and I were invited to New York City for the premiere of an opera, we were challenged with what to do with Chico. Should we ask our friends to cat sit, or find a safe place to board him? Our options were not clear, and no one wants to take care of a bully.

Cats love a routine. While working from home during the pandemic, Chico’s routine changed. He usually slept on the living room couch and woke up at 5 a.m. with my husband, who would feed him and let him out to roam the streets at the crack of dawn. When I began working from home, Chico would wake up later around 8 a.m, moving onto the bed and leaning heavy body against me as I enjoyed my late morning sleep. By 9-ish Chico’s morning hunger compelled him to beckon me awake with a touch of his paw on my face. When this did not work, he would begin a plaintive sing-song chorus of meows that seemed to be saying, “Hey, seize the day … It is time to get up, feed me, I have people to see and things to do, the world awaits.” With Jarred awake, I would feed him and let him outside. But instead of roaming all day, he would return around noon and chill around the house, eat more, nap more, and even walk across the laptop during my regular Zoom meetings. This became our routine for nearly a year and a half.

As the New York trip got closer, which would be my first trip in almost two years, I was overwhelmed with what to do with Chico. I approached several friends, dangling staycation offers like, “You can stay at my house, have wine, make margaritas, watch Netflix, and chill with Chico.” I checked on boarding options and, somehow, I could not trust that his bullying would not get him into trouble. Imagine getting thrown out of kitty daycare! Without any takers, I approached a friend who we will call “The Cat Lady,” in honor of her ten cats that she feeds in her Uptown neighborhood. After “The Cat Lady” said that Chico did not like her, she declined the staycation offer. When I appealed to her love of cats, she agreed to do the evening shift and would check in on Chico after work. Now, I just needed to find someone to cover the morning shift. So I approached my neighbor, who will be known as “The Dog Guy” for his collection of Dachshund puppies. He agreed to do the morning shift since he walks his pups by my house every morning and Chico had gotten used to their presence.

With a plan in place finally, I left Chico for five days in the hands of “The Cat Lady” and “The Dog Guy”. Worried about his “bad” reputation, I was pleased to receive several texts from both of my helpers that Chico was behaving well, was home in time for dinner and even sat with “The Cat Lady” to watch Netflix.

While in New York, I thought there must be a better solution. I cannot continue to depend on the kindness of my friends. Upon my return, I learned about Kathy Slimp and Michael Liebaert who take their two cats, Jaguar and Fluffy Tail, sailing through the Caribbean. Avid sailors, Kathy and Michael were planning a year-long sailing trip, explaining that they “could not bear leaving their fur babies at home for so long.” So, Jaguar and Fluffy Tail, both rescues from the streets of New Orleans, became traveling cats. They fly from New Orleans to Key West, Florida, then sail from Ft Lauderdale to multiple ports in the Bahama Islands; from there, onto the Turks and Caicos; and to multiple ports in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St Croix, St Martin and Antigua. And to think that I have only been to Puerto Rico. What a lucky pair of felines!

Imagining the distance between these exotic locations, I asked Kathy if her furry companions had good sea legs. Kathy stated that both Jaguar and Fluffy Tail are “fair weather sailors and that rough weather with high winds and seas are not their thing. Unfortunately, both cats can get seasick.” On the upside, Kathy added that “Jaguar and Fluffy Tail are great company, especially when you are sailing at night by yourself in the cockpit.”

I wondered if Jaguar and Fluffy Tail needed passports. “Just like humans,” Kathy shared, “every country or island nation has their own set of requirements for entry, even if the pets never leave the vessel. Most need an application, proof of vaccination, flea and tick treatment, tracking chips, an inspection upon arrival and a fee. Both cats have a health certificate from the US Department of Agriculture stating they are free from and have never had rabies.” As she prepared for their next voyage with Jaguar and Fluffy Tail, Kathy shared that the best part of sailing with her cats is watching them enjoy the sea. “They stretch out in the sun—we call it beaming!” They also venture around the boat. “Fluffy Tail is lighter than Jaguar and can jump to high places. Her favorite spot is on a ledge above the closet; it has a porthole where she watches the world go by.” Kathy’s love for her furry babies is evident in the planning and care it takes to have them join her on incredible sea voyages.

If your feline companions are not as lucky as Jaguar and Fluffy Tail, then Crescent City Cat Sitters may be a great option for kitty caretaking. Founded by Becky Livaudais, Crescent City Cat Sitters, provides reliable and professional cat sitting service in the comfort of your cats own home. They offer sitting service plans available in 15-, 30-, or 60-minute sessions. Each session includes feeding, fresh water, litter box scooping, daily visit updates and pictures that are shared with owners. The different packages range from Basic, Standard and Plus, with added services including mail collection, plant watering and expanded time for pet engagement that take into account shy cats, active cats, or households with multiple cats. Becky admits firmly that she is a “cat person,” and that she has always been one since growing up in a farm in Hammond, where she fed the animals and had a cat and a dog. Becky relishes in the comfort that cats give owners. “I probably am a cat!” she revealed.

Crescent City Cat Sitters take cat psychology very seriously. They begin the cat sitting process with clients by setting up an initial meet-and-greet with the cat and owner, observing the cat’s behavior. Becky says that you can learn a lot from observing the cat’s behavior. Do they sit in the distance, as if to say “I’ve never seen you before”? Do they rub on your leg? Are their ears perked up? Do they wag their tail? These are all indicators of their comfort level. During the meet-and-greets, Becky sits on the floor and tries to get to know the cat, possibly introducing a toy to add comfort. “Cats are just like people, they have different personalities,” Becky says. “We take the time to know our clients and convey to them that we are going to take care of them.” The staff of Crescent City Cat Sitters are all trained on cat behavior, pet First Aid and CPR certification. “We have learned that some cats don’t like certain people, and some get stressed out and keep their distance. We adapt and take the cues from the cat. Every effort is made to match the kitty with the right sitter,” she explains.

They also keep up with new developments on pet care, including techniques on medicinal care and pet emergencies. Members of staff also undergo background checks, and the company is insured and bonded. Valuably, the Crescent City Cat Sitters do it all, from replenishing cat food to plant watering, and even bringing in the mail. Most of all, they understand that owners need their cats to experience safety and human touch while they are away. Becky reports that, as some owners have returned to work, they have decided to bring in sitters to ease the transition. “Cats know what is going on,” adds Becky. The service can also be utilized when an owner needs some support while still at home, like scooping the litter box for pregnant women, or assistance with giving meds. With the holiday season upon us, Becky suggests that owner’s book early because of the high demand. Becky shares that she began Crescent City Cat Sitters to “give owners a sense of relief and give cats a feeling that someone is going to take care of them.”

Like many of us who have reevaluated our lives and our reason for being during the pandemic, Chico has stopped hissing at passing dogs and he has even let some neighbors pet him. It’s as if the time spent at home and his week of being cared for by others has made him reevaluate his life’s mission—why fight and hiss when you can just accept love and friendship from others? Plus, you get to eat and sleep more!