Flying jobs and pets

[Everskyward]

Doesn't seem to hurt me. I just don't understand people's obsession with things like this.

Me either. Good thing too, because I just unclogged the lav in our airplane the other day with a couple of plastic forks after some kids got overenthusiastic with the TP.

 

[Clark1961]

Me either. Good thing too, because I just unclogged the lav in our airplane the other day with a couple of plastic forks after some kids got overenthusiastic with the TP.

Don't you have an overeager FO to do things like that?

 

[Everskyward]

Don't you have an overeager FO to do things like that?

I was the FO that day.

 

[kimberlyanne546]

Spouses take a boatload more time, money, and attention than cats, lest they become one of those "exspouse" thingies, which are more expensive still.

You're making me not want to become a thingie . . . (guess someone has to ask me first, huh).

But in all seriousness: about the cat issue - like people said it really is about "who you know". I would start by going to your local shelter (in person). They will know a lot about animals and rescue groups and reputable sitters who can come to your home every day or every other day, probably for the same price (or less) as your "cat hotel." Other ideas: call your vet and other vets in the area, ask them who they refer people to. Or google cat breeders and cat rescue groups, call them, and see who they can tell you about.

Good luck, my life would be horrible without pets. I love my dog.

 

[Henning]

Find me the vet who'll do that in his or her office, and you'll have found an idiot. One slip and you get to buy a new office.

Please, all polecats have the same glands and they get pulled all the time. I wouldn't even think of bringing the animal to a vet that was hesitant about it.

 

[murphey]

I used to travel extensively for work. Sometimes I'd be in the same location for months. For those times, I found a small apartment that would accept pets, in my case, a small dog. Worked out great. The apt. was usually cheaper than a hotel, so the company was very happy that I was so cautious about finances.

These days I'm not gone for more than a week at a time. My dog would happily live at the kennel than with me! Afterall, he had an airconditioned hotel room, room service, other dogs to play with, etc. On a daily basis, depends how long I'm gone. If I know I'm gone all day, then the dog goes to doggie day care at the kennel. Otherwise he's quite content to sleep in his crate (large enough for him to sprawl out) for a few hours.

The same kennel also has a Cattery. Each cat has its own room, is allowed out each day to play (only 1 cat at a time), lots of toys, room service, and a TV screen that shows swimming fish all day. And a large floor to ceiling window to watch everyone outside.

Friend of mine has 4 cats that stay home when she travels. She pays one of the neighborhood kids (also a cat fan) to come in everyday to clean the litter boxes, refill food and water, and play with the cats for a bit. So far there's been no problem with the cats or the kid. As a rule, cats are quite content to spend the day alone.

 

[Henning]

You're making me not want to become a thingie . . . (guess someone has to ask me first, huh).

But in all seriousness: about the cat issue - like people said it really is about "who you know". I would start by going to your local shelter (in person). They will know a lot about animals and rescue groups and reputable sitters who can come to your home every day or every other day, probably for the same price (or less) as your "cat hotel." Other ideas: call your vet and other vets in the area, ask them who they refer people to. Or google cat breeders and cat rescue groups, call them, and see who they can tell you about.

Good luck, my life would be horrible without pets. I love my dog.

I'll marry you if you devote undying AvGas to me....

Good idea about the shelter lead.... Plenty of semi crazy cat ladies there...

 

[kimberlyanne546]

I'll marry you if you devote undying AvGas to me....

Good idea about the shelter lead.... Plenty of semi crazy cat ladies there...

I have never had an online marriage proposal - um - where's the emoticon for politely saying "I do not want to marry you"?

 

[jhausch]

Do you have a picture of your cat or you with your cat anywhere at work, tucked into your visor, or on your keychain? Maybe a student will notice and comment about how they have cats, too - then you just yank hard to set the hook...

 

[dennyleeb]

I would just have the cat stuffed and take it with you.

 

[Ted]

Tristan,

As you know, I travel all the dang time. As has been said, cats can survive quite happily for several days on their own. All you really need is a cat-sitter to come by every couple of days to make sure the food and water are still good. Cats make great pets for pilots because they are so self-sufficient. The dogs and the bird at my house require significantly more attention, and makes it more difficult.

Vet techs are usually looking for money, know animals, and are responsible. If there are any at your local vet's office who you like, talk to them or give an ask. One of my pet sitters is a vet tech.

I would NOT recommend getting rid of the cat. It is effectively a death sentence for cats if you take them to the local animal shelter. You and everyone else all think "She's such a nice cat, she'll get adopted." Nope, there are way more cats than there are homes for them.

This is not an insurmountable problem by far.

 

[Henning]

Vet techs are usually looking for money, know animals, and are responsible. If there are any at your local vet's office who you like, talk to them or give an ask. One of my pet sitters is a vet tech.

Yep, that's my ex wife. I always said if their is reincarnation, I want to come back as one of her animals.

 

[Tristar]

Thanks for the advice everyone. It's not a time critical issue but something I was thinking about.

BTW Ted, I wouldn't be getting rid of her. I know all about cats at shelters considering almost all of my parent's cats are shelter cats. She's sort of like my fuzzy kid now.

Do not buy one of those $100 automatic litter cleaners. They do NOT work as advertised. I had one and got rid of it for the traditional manual scooper model (me).

Thanks Roger! I'll keep you in mind just in case!! I know she'd be fine for a week. I'm not worried about a week. I'm more worried about weeks back to back.

 

[wabower]

I've been thinking about a new business deal called Cat-X-Change. When you leave town, just drop off your cat and some money and we'll take good care of it. When you come back, just stop by and pick one up that kinda looks like the one you dropped off (cats are totally interchangable and your friends will never know the difference.)

You never know, you might get the same cat back several times in a row, but the cat won't care one way or the other as long as somebody shows up with the food and water, keeps the litter box clean and leaves them alone to do whatever they want to do. Anybody want to invest in the deal?

 

[denverpilot]

What is it with cats named Scarlett being mean? This is the second one I know of.... perhaps the nams?

Add me for number three and a "whoa, that's weird". My grandparents had a tortoise-shell calico (the cat pictured also appears to be a calico?) who was a real piece of work.

 

[denverpilot]

Me either. I'm aware of the data... but I grew up on a farm, and I'm familiar with moving so many different types of crap that the stuff that gets shovelled around at the office or on the internet doesn't even raise my eyebrow.

+1. I worked on a pig farm a couple summers. Crap doesn't scare me, but the f-ing rattlesnakes were annoying and dangerous since they'd gotten used to sunning near the farmhouse. Bubba the boar, you didn't want to turn your back on him for sure.

Like most kids around farms I got my first driving experience there too. 1976 Toyota Corolla off-roaring around the place, moving feed, tools, picking up lunch from the farmhouse... Pretty much any excuse to ask grandpa for the car keys. Heh.

 

[steingar]

That vet tech idea is mondo good. Score one up for Ted. Vets often have volunteers lurking about as well. The nice thing is if they screw the pooch (figuratively or literally) you have recourse.

 

[Henning]

I've been thinking about a new business deal called Cat-X-Change. When you leave town, just drop off your cat and some money and we'll take good care of it. When you come back, just stop by and pick one up that kinda looks like the one you dropped off (cats are totally interchangable and your friends will never know the difference.)

You never know, you might get the same cat back several times in a row, but the cat won't care one way or the other as long as somebody shows up with the food and water, keeps the litter box clean and leaves them alone to do whatever they want to do. Anybody want to invest in the deal?

You say it in jest, but you may be on to something.... No kill shelters can "rent" pets to people who can't really own one. "In town for a week and need a pet? Give us a Call" How cool would it be to call the concierge desk and order a Calico or a Lab?

 

[woodstock]

You say it in jest, but you may be on to something.... No kill shelters can "rent" pets to people who can't really own one. "In town for a week and need a pet? Give us a Call" How cool would it be to call the concierge desk and order a Calico or a Lab?

What kind of background checks are they going to do to make sure they aren't renting out fluffy to some weirdo?

 

[Henning]

What kind of background checks are they going to do to make sure they aren't renting out fluffy to some weirdo?

None, fluffy is on her own. Fear of prosecution may be a deterrent. The animal was lucky enough to hit a no kill shelter....

 

[Mandy]

Am I the only person who puts the lid down every single time - before flushing?

Including in public restrooms, if it may be an option?

Nope, one of my four thinks the toilet is his own personal whirlpool. Just wish he'd learn to crap in it instead of swim in it.

 

[Henning]

Nope, one of my four thinks the toilet is his own personal whirlpool. Just wish he'd learn to crap in it instead of swim in it.

You can toilet train a cat by suspending a litter tray over the toilet bowl for a couple of weeks. When you remove the tray from the house, they will often continue to use the toilet.

 

[Mandy]

I've been thinking about a new business deal called Cat-X-Change. When you leave town, just drop off your cat and some money and we'll take good care of it. When you come back, just stop by and pick one up that kinda looks like the one you dropped off (cats are totally interchangable and your friends will never know the difference.)

You never know, you might get the same cat back several times in a row, but the cat won't care one way or the other as long as somebody shows up with the food and water, keeps the litter box clean and leaves them alone to do whatever they want to do. Anybody want to invest in the deal?

Some places actually do have "Rent-A-Pet." Good for the holidays so people aren't buying that cute little puppy for under the tree and dumping them off at the shelter when they're tired of cleaning up crap in January.

 

[Mandy]

Add me for number three and a "whoa, that's weird". My grandparents had a tortoise-shell calico (the cat pictured also appears to be a calico?) who was a real piece of work.

There's a reason it's called "Tortitude." Several vets have admitted they are neurotic. My current vet, a cat-only one with two torties of her own, said she thinks it's the red-headed gene.

I have two torties (a form of calico). The oldest, Scarlett; the youngest Wildfire. Wildfire isn't as bad as Scar, but she has her moments. Maybe I shouldn't be naming them after spoiled little southern belles and wild mustangs

 

[TMetzinger]

I have never had an online marriage proposal - um - where's the emoticon for politely saying "I do not want to marry you"?

It's Henning... politeness not required.

 

[jason]

The spouse thingie is not an option at this point. I don't trust the kids around here and I'm still working on making friends....apparently I'm at work a lot. I'd probably consider one of those pet sitter companies. I have a hard time trusting strangers in my house when I'm not there so advertising on craigslist wont work. Having an irratic schedule would make it an added challenge.

Tristan,

I don't know how much they cost, but one of the owners of this company (Tonia) used to be a neighbor of mine.

http://www.apauseforpaws.com/

Can't vouch for the service..but I know Tonia and her husband. I know of no reason not to trust her...

Hope that helps!

 

[Ted]

What kind of background checks are they going to do to make sure they aren't renting out fluffy to some weirdo?

The same that the local animal shelters do when they adopt out pets.

The problem, though, is that it'd be very hard on the pet emotionally to keep thinking it's in a new home, and then find out it's not. Yes, animals do care about that stuff.

 

[olasek]

I recall reading Bill Cox's columns in Plane-And-Pilot and he sometimes flew with his dogs. He once wrote like during a challenging approach his dog licked his face from behind - the dog was rewarded with a rib-eye that evening.

 

[Jeanie]

Tristan, I used to have a pet care business w/ lots of clients in Dallas. I kept the house keys on clips w/ the pet's name on them and kept the house info in a notebook - with things like alarm codes, vet's info, emergency contacts, location of circuit breaker box and water cut off -stuff like that.
Whenever a client had to leave on business or whatever they'd just call and schedule it and I would do whatever... according to the schedule. I had one house w/ 6 cats! one had a very aggressive Rottweiler, a weird cat and 2 ferrets. They got charged extra because of the dog.
One time the 6 cat house had a major plumbing leak and I arranged for it's repair and stayed to meet the plumber.
Anyway, it's possible to find pet sitters that are legit. And, like others have said it's always good to ask your vet first for their recommendation. And then ask the sitter for references. I got a lot of my jobs from references. One Christmas day I went to 13 houses.