A Kitty, a toddler and a Pet Carrier
15October 31, 2012 by CassieCravings
We are moving to a new house. With moving houses comes moving the cat.
Our grumpy 10 year-old cat Winston abhors the pet carrier. There is not a kitty treat or fuzzy stuffed mouse that can lure this cat into that carrier.
I had put off moving the cat until the last minute. I stood in the empty living room, sighed and placed the carrier in the middle of the floor.
“All right, Cat. Let’s do this.”
“Let’s do whats?,” squealed a bouncing 2 year-old Eli. “I’s can help. I’s can do it! What’s that? Is it a house?”
I explained to my little one about the pet carrier and how we would move Winston the Grumpy to our new house. Eli was delighted by this idea. He wanted to show his friend his new green room and the “park” in the backyard. Eli exclaimed that Winston can even ride his scooter.
Winston was not impressed. He cowered behind the door. He grumbled a low meow. I’m sure he was cursing at us in Cat.
Eli got down on his hands and knees. His nose touched Winston’s nose. I must say, as grumpy as Winston can be, he is so gentle with my energetic and noisy toddler. A quiet Eli and a very somber kitty sat like statues for a moment. Their noses touching, their eyes staring at one another. I wondered what they were thinking. I wondered what they were communicating with one another.
Slowly Eli got to his feet. He carefully reached down and hoisted Winston up from the ground, “C’mon, TinTin! You’s gonna goes in ‘da zoo.”
Poor Winston’s head and front legs dangled down to the ground. His face poked between Eli’s legs as he tried to wriggle away.
“Be still, Kitty Cat!”
Winston was not still. I swooped down to rescue Winston and to save Eli from kitty claws.
Eli sat down defeated. “Mama. ‘Dat kitty cat not going in ‘dat zoo.”
I told him that Winston is probably feeling afraid and unsure.
Eli sighed.
Again he was down on all fours touching noses with Winston. His face was serious. His voice was low, “TinTin, you’s don’t be ascared. It’s o’tay. I’s your fwriend.”
Even Eli’s pep talk wasn’t going to get Winston into the cage. 30 minutes later, we laid out food, water and sat the “zoo” in the middle of the floor. We told Winston we would be back in the morning to try again.
to be continued…when we finally do get Winston the Grumpy into that pet carrier
mamacravings 
Moving, in and of itself, is tough. Add a toddler and a cat to the mix. . .tougher. Eli does seem to have some kitty speak going for him though and Winston may come around. I wish you luck.
Thank you so much! I’m sure that Winston will be able to calm down enough to move…eventually. Eli will just have to continue work his kitty speak magic.
That was precious.
_____
You’re precious. Eventually we will have to figure out how to lure him into the zoo.
lol adorable! so been there. our cat wedged itself behind the washing machine and dryer on move day once. nightmare.
I would treat the cat like a baby. swaddle it head out. post it in the carrier and close the door. it will work out the unwrapping. lol
Swaddling! Of course! Swaddling fixes everything 🙂 I’m going to try that tonight.
doesn’t it ! Jake used to adore being swaddled. ah I miss those days.. good for medicine giving too .. cats that is lol
I miss it too 😦 I was so bummed when Eli outgrew his sling. I loved swaddling and baby wearing….I don’t think the sling would work for the cat though.
lol imagine. It goes too fast.
🙂 If anybody can do it Eli can…he can talk “Tin-Tin” into anything just be paitent and it will happen. Good luck!
haha! I don’t doubt it. 🙂 Thanks, Staci!
I do declare–Casi, you are positively an unpublished amazon author!
Gasp!!! You just made my week!! ❤ Thank you so much!!
Oh yes, I am very familiar with the “moving of the cat” ordeal.
We always had to leave capturing the cat until the very last minute too. Poor Winston!! I can’t believe he’s 10 years old now!
It was awful
I thought of Sadie hiding in that cabinet for days.