Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is she even bringing them? Cats generally find travel stressful.

I had one stored under my seat on a recent flight. Cried the whole damn time. It escaped its carrier. And when the owner tried to sooth it on her lap is got diarrhea everywhere.

I hate cats

lol Kids do the same thing and are often worse. It depends on the cats like it does the kids.

Anonymous wrote:Why is she even bringing them? Cats generally find travel stressful.

Agree.
Cats will be happiest at home with someone looking in on them every day or so.
If they do come to your house, they should absolutely be limited to one room/floor/bathroom for many reasons, not least of which is preventing them from going outside and getting lost.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait. I had thought teaching cats to use a toilet was an urban myth, or some kind of late night infomercial fraud.

How did she teach her cats to use the toilet? What kind of cats are they? Siamese? Or just regular cat-cats? Were they kittens when she trained them, and HOW did she train them to use the toilet?

No, it can be done. Our cats did it for a while (had to go back to litter box for a medical concern). We taught them using Litter Quitter. It was so awesome while it lasted. And it was hilarious when they did it when we had guest over. I mean, cats don't close the door for privacy. It really cracked people up.

My cat is 5, though. Is this too old to get the Litter Quitter and teach her? (because I'm ordering one today if it works on older cats)

This is lunacy. Cats HATE new places and generally spend a good amount of time freaking out. The hotel and your house are both new places. I can not imagine this going well at all.

Hotels that do allow cats, require them to be in carriers when the room is not occupied. So that's why she wants to bring them to her house.

Your SIL is nuts though. She needs to leave these animals at HOME and hire a cat sitter.

I love cats. But like a few PP's noted, the one huge advantage is that you can just leave them at home with a bunch of food and have someone come once a day to check on them and they will be FINE.

Taking my cats to someone else's house sounds like a total nightmare for everyone. They are much, much happier at home with an indulgent pet sitter visiting once a day.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Totally agree that I don't need a reason--usually I'm the one that says that! As soon as DH and I say no, my MIL will immediately insert herself and start calling/texting to get us to change our minds because she doesn't want to listen to SIL's whining (SIL is 27, btw) and because she thinks she should have a say in our decisions. DH and I have stood our ground before and dealt with the resulting fallout, but I wanted to see if I was justified before taking on this battle. Thanks, DCUM!

Oh, Lord.

Say no.

The first time your MIL inserts herself, cut it off. "MIL, we have made our decision. Please stay out of it."

Any further texting, ignore. Any further phone conversation, "I am not discussing that further. I have to go."

You and DH have got to start being firmer with your MIL. That behavior is ridiculous.

Anonymous wrote:Why is she even bringing them? Cats generally find travel stressful.

Agree. Leave plenty of water and food and cats can stay by themselves for 3-4 days. There are plenty of pet sitting agencies. Crazy to bring cats or dogs, for that matter.

Sorry sis. Bobbies best friend is alllergic. He comes here all the time and this won't be good for him.

Anonymous wrote:What the heck?? Who the hell travels with their cats?? Bizarre!

+ 1. And very unfair to the cats. Most cats don't travel well. Mine certainly don't.

I have a friend who brings her cat from NYC to Europe to visit family. This animal is so laid back, but definitely the exception & not the rule.

I have naughty, neurotic, impossible cats & had to stay in a pet friendly airport hotel to catch a flight (we were moving with them). They will be fine - just tell her to put the 'do not disturb' sign on the door. Cats don't need that much room to move & a hotel room is plenty.

But to a funeral with people everywhere, going in & out all day? Hard no.

Anonymous wrote:Wait. I had thought teaching cats to use a toilet was an urban myth, or some kind of late night infomercial fraud.

How did she teach her cats to use the toilet? What kind of cats are they? Siamese? Or just regular cat-cats? Were they kittens when she trained them, and HOW did she train them to use the toilet?

No, it can be done. Our cats did it for a while (had to go back to litter box for a medical concern). We taught them using Litter Quitter. It was so awesome while it lasted. And it was hilarious when they did it when we had guest over. I mean, cats don't close the door for privacy. It really cracked people up.

What the heck?? Who the hell travels with their cats?? Bizarre!

No. DH is allergic to cats and will take allergy medicine if we are going somewhere that might have cats, but he doesn't usually carry it with him. If you are hosting a lot of people, chances are someone will have an allergy and be very uncomfortable. It makes no sense to bring cats to a reception after a funeral. They will be scared and probably pee on things and you will have enough on your hands wih hosting duties and minding your toddler.

I would just say no, you are so sorry but it won't work out to have the cats there. Just don't engage your MIL, keep repeating that you and DH decided and change the subject or hang up.

BIL brought his car to FIL's the last time we were there. I think he was there for two nights. When it was time for him to leave nobody could find the stupid cat anywhere. I finally found it on a shelf in FIL's office.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is she even bringing them? Cats generally find travel stressful.

I had one stored under my seat on a recent flight. Cried the whole damn time. It escaped its carrier. And when the owner tried to sooth it on her lap is got diarrhea everywhere.

I hate cats