When I considered the nomadic lifestyle, one of my biggest concerns was acclimating my cat to a life of travel. Shadow hadn’t set foot inside a car after I brought him home and he is incredibly skittish. Semi-ferals tend to bond with one person and generally either dislike or fear everyone else.
They require patience and an established routine. For more than four years, I had provided Shadow with these things and more. Over those years, we have marvelled at how he continues to evolve into a more carefree cat. He is a long way from friendly or tame to others, but to those who knew the cat I brought home, he has come a long way.
Even so, the first time I put Shadow in the truck, he howled so badly, I was sure PETA and the ASPCA were going to show up to arrest me. It was awful. My mom shook her head and said:
I don’t think this is going to work. If he doesn’t like the truck, how is he going to get used to the RV?
Still, I was determined and persevered. While cats can be incredibly stubborn, one thing I have always loved about Shadow is how easily he adapts. For instance, he is one of those cats you don’t need to train to find the new litter box when you move it. Every change I had made to our lives, he adjusted to with no hiccups.
I felt certain if I gave him a chance, he would grow to love life on the road. So, how did that turn out? Well, he’s currently sitting on the dinette table, soaking up the summer air and looking out the window. How did I manage to get him acclimated for travel and how do I ensure he stays safe and well-cared for on the road?
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