The Maitais Prepared For Everything in Central Europe, Except The Sorrow
 

We just got back from four incredible weeks in the Czech Republic, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia and Venice.

I planned our routes perfectly. Our hotels/apartments exceeded expectations. The weather was nearly perfect in all locations. The food was exceptional. The people in all those countries could not have been nicer. We witnessed some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

The only thing I did not plan on was for our beloved cat, Cupid, to die a few days before we got home. It may seem silly to some, but it I just can't get my arms around writing a trip report for awhile.

Tracy and I feel quite a bit of guilt, although we had so many things in place to make sure this would not happen. Cupid had other ideas, however, and decided this was his time to go. He truly was "our golden ray of sunshine," and is deeply missed. Fortunately,our other cat, Spencer, is still crazy and keeps us laughing.

I have all the trip notes that Tracy meticulously wrote down, and between the four of us, we took about 2,500 pictures (don't worry, we'll narrow that down).

Anyway, I did want to thank those posters who helped me in my preparations. At some point, hopefully in the not too distant future, you will be subjected to my detailed report, which fortunately will not contain any rental car demise stories, but will include such things as an interesting interlude with the Slovenian police.

I will give this one recommendation to start: If given the opportunity, do not miss Plitvice National Park. Simply incredible, and one of the most (if not the most) beautiful places we have ever visited.

((H))

Oh Tom, that is just horrible. As a fellow cat-owner, I commiserate entirely and can believe how shaken up you are.

Take your time and remember your little one. My thoughts are with you.

Tom...

So sorry to hear about your beloved cat. But, sounds like your trip was a good one, looking forward to hearing about it when you are ready to share.

Tom, I am so sorry. I am a proud cat owner and cat lover and completely understand what you are going through. Fuzzy (my cat) and I send you, Tracy and Spencer best wishes.

Tracy

Hi Tom,

I don't think it's silly at all. How's this for silly: Before I leave on a trip, I take a picture of Gracie (my dog) and Buddy (my cat) so I can look at them while I'm away.

I'm glad you and Tracy otherwise had a lovely trip. I'm anxiously awaiting your trip report when you're up to writing it.

Any diesel mix ups this time??

Hugs to you and Tracy from me, Gracie and Buddy.

Johanna

Oh so sorry about your beloved cat. My childhood dog died 2 days before I returned from university for xmas...soo very sad.

Looking foward to the report!!!

One of our adopted dogs died while we were in France one year. We both cried in front of everyone and had to come home rather than continue, because we still had another dog and weren't sure why the first one died. Our poor petsitter may have cried harder than we did. So I'm also sorry to hear about your kitty, as I do know how upsetting it is, especially while you are so far away.

Tom, my heart goes out to you and Tracy. We had our beloved 16 year old cat die while we were on vacation and we were devastated too. We felt so guilty for not being there with him, but as time went on I thought maybe he wanted to spare us. I hope you can find comfort in knowing that you gave him the best life possible and he knew it. Hugs.

"We both cried in front of everyone and had to come home rather than continue.."

I know how you felt. We heard about Cupid's death just before we took the early morning ferry from Rovinj, Croatia, to Venice.

That afternoon, which happened to be a gorgeous, sunny afternoon in Venice, Tracy and I just meandered through the city, crying at many intervals.

((H))

Sorry to hear about Cupid, M.

Hi maitaitom,

Been a fan of your reports for years.

Like everyone here, I am so sorry for your loss. I understand how strongly we mourn our smaller family members -- I lost my sweet kitten after 18 years together. Losing her was the last in a long series of family losses, and in many ways it was the hardest. Or maybe it just was the last straw, so to speak. But I do understand your sorrow.

Anyway, I send wishes of healing to you, and may your memories bring joy.

s

Sorry to hear about your kitty, maitaitom. I have a sickly cat - actually took him to the vet today as he is on a hunger strike - and every trip I take I worry about him...

Looking forward to your report when you're up to it.

I'm so sorry about your cat, MTT.

RIP Cupid. ((r))

Sorry about your little Cupid. I think all of us with ailing or older pets think about this every time we go on a trip.
I agree with you about Plitvice National Park. Even though the two days I was there it rained non stop it was still beautiful. I will wait patiently for your trip report.

Maitai, as awful as this news was to hear, it seems that Cupid decided to slip away while you were gone to ease the pain of finding him or watching him go.

See it as a gift and you can now remember only the lively kitty you loved.

Oh Tom, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved cat. I miss my kitties so much when I travel and I am so happy to see them when I get home. I lost a beloved cat last November and I know it takes time to be able to enjoy yourself again. Take your time writing your report.

So sorry Tom, to hear about your precious cat. As a dog and cat lover I know how you feel.
It does help the mourning process if you lay some photos of happy times with you kitty around where you can see them. You will know when to put them away.

Sorry to hear about your cat. I am a cat and dog lover myself (have 4 cats and 1 dog). I miss them so much whenever i'm on a trip. Hope you find comfort in the thought that you gave him a good life.

I'm sorry about Cupid. Was he an old cat?

Ever since my Lucky got deathly ill last year, I worry about leaving Lucky at home for too long. I always take a picture of her in a mischievous pose right before I leave.

Tom, my eyes are filling with tears as I type. My beloved Teddy-cat died (not entirely unexpectedly) two days before we left on our last trip, and I still blubber at the slightest reminder.

Don't feel guilty. Maybe Cupid thought this would be easier for you than being there at the end which, I can assure you, is no piece of cake.