One of the hardest parts of being gone for an extended period of time is leaving our cats, Maxwell Frederick and Sophie Laverne.  We don’t want to board them because we don’t think it is right to have them essentially be caged up for a month or two.  Fortunately, my son has been willing to come and “cat sit” while we are traveling.  He will be staying with the cats for our upcoming cruise.  I don’t know how much longer he will be willing/able to do this for us, so we are looking for other options for the future.