I'm a-gonna be fair here, LW...while three days IS too long, the fact that Ryan posed the question shows that he IS trying to be responsible. Life's a learning process, and the lessons they learn from this will prepare them for the future.

Ryan,

Are you guys attending church? You might find someone in the church who will watch them, especially if there's a couple bucks in the pot. Just a thought. And (my two cents...remember, I DID defend your position at the beginning of this response), the comment about you blogging "probably to the dismay of some" was unneccessary and argumentative. Might be a good sentence to eliminate if'n you wanna learn to "play nice with others".

Anyone who "forgets" that he has a pet that needs to be arranged for is not responsible enough to own a pet. That's just my opinion, of course, and I can't say it hasnt been influenced by other grotesque examples of Ziggy's immaturity and self-centeredness.

Could you possibly muster the energy to make a comment without some sort of insult or would that be too much to expect from you? Of all of the things I comment and post on, on here, you focus on only a select certain few things and then continue to focus all of your engery soley on those things and those things only. I dont know what force is driving you to only comment negatively, and then to add onto that with an insulting remark, time after time to help reinforce your own perception of me.

I've also learned that when he "asks for advice" he's really already decided exactly what he intends to do, and is simply looking for others to validate his choice.

Actually, you are wrong. I asked for advice, because that is what I wanted. I was thinking that it was too long for her to be alone, but I wasnt totally sure. After getting some advice on here and another place where I asked a similar question...Im thinking that it would be ok to leave her for a few days as long as she has a big ol bowl of food and water. My main concern is her just being alone.

Anyone who "forgets" that he has a pet that needs to be arranged for is not responsible enough to own a pet. That's just my opinion, of course, and I can't say it hasnt been influenced by other grotesque examples of Ziggy's immaturity and self-centeredness.

This is easy for you to say, because the only responsibilities you have are keeping your house, stroking your ego, and washing your husband's silky thongs *shivers*. Ryan works sixteen hours a day. We had talked about taking her with previously, because we'd assumed that we'd both have the whole week off. It turns out that he doesn't, and since I'm in bed when he comes home, and we hardly ever see each other, we really hadn't talked about it.

When we've left her before, she's always been okay. She doesn't "ignore" us, she's on top of us and won't leave us alone...which is good. I wouldn't allow someone else to pay for her kenneling, nor any other of her medical needs, because if I can't take care of her, she needs to go to a home where someone can. She is current on her vaccinations, and she is cared for and loved and basically spoiled rotten at home. She gets regular veterinary care. Again...passing judgement just because you can.

I'm so confused.....

You know how you have your childhood pets? I had Poochie, and Ginger, and a myriad of barn cats. They were my pets, but I think my parents handled most of their care. So now that Ryan and I are together, we decided to adopt the cat together--so...hence the "first time pet owners"...

Are you guys attending church? You might find someone in the church who will watch them, especially if there's a couple bucks in the pot. Just a thought.

We'd thought of that, too, last night...we just don't have the few bucks to give anyone right now.

It's my conviction that cats are self-centered jerks, and that "alone" is too good for them.

Lol....wow...What a load. Don't even know where to start shoveling the crap out of this one.

Lets just hope she doesnt knock the water over on day one, or choke on her collar (or anything else) and for gods sake lets hope nothing catches fire or she gets sick with no one there to notice.

Those are things that could happen in a twenty minute run to the store, or an 8 hour work day, JUST as easily. Are we animal abusers because we go to work? No. While I love her, she is, in fact, a cat. Not a human. Cats eat, sleep, and poop, and sometimes, if they want, they sit on your lap. The cat will do those same things while we're gone. I'm not leaving a two year old child here alone. THAT would be cause for concern. Lots of people do lots worse things to their animals than leave them alone for a few days. Yet, because animals are your only interaction with something alive other than plants and your "H"usband, you feel the need to crucify us for the horrible torture of leaving her alone for now, 2.5 days. The more venom you spew, the more I feel sorry for you.

The fact that you guys have been there for what, six months now and havent made the aquaintance of a single soul with whom you'd trust your cat by now speaks volumes. I guess you're as unpleasant in real life as you are in JU.

And how many people could YOU count on there in Richmond to come take care of your animals while you were away? Your crack-addict neighbors? The people your "H"usband works with? I don't exactly see you out on the front porch befriending the neighbors. We WORK alot. And I know when I come home, the last thing I want to do is go out and be involved in the Jaycees or go teach a Bible class. I'm completely whipped, and I just want to sit and veg out. That doesn't really leave a whole lot of time to go make connections so we can have someone take the care of the cat if we're going to be gone for more than an hour. I would feel comfortable asking people from my work, but they all have families and Christmas plans, too.

If she were more of a baby, and not used to us being gone, or if we'd never gone away and left her before, we'd take her with us. I'd rather save the money we'd spend on a kennel, which would be MUCH more traumatic for her than being left alone for a day or two, for her vaccines and check up coming up. She's going to sleep on her perch in the sun, eat her food, drink her water, and poop while we're gone. And then when Ryan gets back, she's going to bother him until he loves her up for an hour.

I do know this, though, I've never, EVER, went off and left an animal alone for more than an 8 hour work shift.

Cats are one thing, dogs are something completely different. Dogs need to be let out throughout the day. Cats don't. They are fine as long as they have food and water and a clean place to poo (some dont even care if its clean...as long as they can take a crap).

As a matter of fact, I could have gone to MY parent's home in Ohio this Christmas, but did not wish to incur the expense of kenneling 2 dogs and 3 cats, so guess what? I sacrificed my selfish wishes in order to take care of my responsibility.

This really makes me wonder...you have lived there most likely a lot longer than we have lived here. Your cats would be fine with food, water and litter. For the dogs, you could get a sitter to come in the house and let the dogs out 3-4 times a day. Sitters start at 10 bucks a day. So...instead of spending around however much (100 bucks, lets say) on gas and extra stuff like that AND 30 bucks for a sitter...as if that 30 dollars is the amount that is going to break the bank. A sitter is also less expensive than a kennel. Maybe you just have a problem with people entering your house while you aren't there...which makes me wonder as well what you could be worried about...especially if you get a professional, insured sitter.

convince yourself that your cat will be just fine, and go have fun.

These are quotes I took off of the replies where I posted the same question on another site:
"Only four days? She'll be fine. Make sure there's ample food, and set out several large bowls of water. "

"I would be personally fine with it. "

"We do this quite a bit and have never had a problem. My rule of thumb is that I'll call the pet sitter if I'm going to be away more than 4 days. My cats are always fine. "

"I had to go to Fort Knox for Erik's Basic graduation for 3.5 days and I left a lot of food out, and they have their water fountain..and my cats were fine."

"The water fountain should be okay if you clean it and fill it before you leave -- I always leave ours running because a bowl of water won't last 3-4 days (at least in our house) and I've never had a problem."

"I agree with everyone else. I think it will be fine. "

"I think your kitty will be fine too. "

Hmm...innnnnnteresting.

The fact that you guys have been there for what, six months now and havent made the aquaintance of a single soul with whom you'd trust your cat by now speaks volumes. I guess you're as unpleasant in real life as you are in JU.

Right, and the fact that like I said above...youve been there for howevery many YEARS and can't find someone to come to your house and take care of the animals....speaks volumes as well.

Thats all I said, nothing more, nothing less.

No, that's what you MEANT to say. Not what you SAID.

Right...thats why I don't ask (or take) handouts and pay my vet bills,

Aww, dude....that was SO not necessary. Really.

Lots of things that are said between us are not necessary and said anyways...but, how come you only point it out when I say things that are not necessary...especially when I don't sink to the lows that others do?