When I first started RVing in June 2001, I had an adult Birman cat named Sunshine who would hackle all over at the word "travel" - put her in the car and she would literally howl the whole time. Since she was also used to me working at home, and now I'd be gone for long stretches of time, I thought that would be too many changes for her psyche to handle at once. I was so happy that a good friend loved and wanted her so I could leave her in a good home. I told myself I really didn't want the responsibility and expense of caring for an animal, anyway, and traveled for 5 years not knowing how much fun it could be to have a kitty companion.

As time went by, I'd find myself buying cat food and treats to feed the feral cats sometimes found in campgrounds. I became more and more interested in having a kitty again, but kept talking myself out of it. Where would I put the litter box - I didn't want my little house to smell like cat poop. What about food and vet bills - I certainly didn't need any more expenses. Nor did I want my furniture ripped up by cat claws.

More than anything else, though, I wanted a "lap cat" - if I was gonna put forth all that effort and expense, I wanted an affectionate return on my investment. Sunshine was beautiful, but certainly didn't fit that bill. I started researching and found a breed called Ragdoll that were known for how people friendly they are - called the dog of the cat world because they'd follow their owners around like little puppies and always wanted to be near them.

No way would I spend that much money on a fullbred cat, though! But my prayers were answered when Doyle gifted me with this little angel for my birthday. I've never had a present that brought me so much continuing joy!

So all of the concerns and fears I had about traveling with a cat in an RV have been overshadowed by the sheer joy of having her around. She sits next to me when I'm working on the computer, sits on my lap when we're driving down the road, sleeps on the pillow at the top of my head and gives me kitty kisses on the nose in the morning when we wake up. When I come in from a day of exploring, she's right there at the window waiting for me and her purrs make me happy when she shows she's happy and content.

As for my worries, I got a covered kitty litter box with a door and since I'm meticulous about cleaning it every day, I never notice a smell. It fits perfectly underneath the vanity area and even when the slide's in, she can get to it. The food and vet bills are minor, especially compared to how much I love having her around. She has a scratching post she uses instead of the furniture. But I have covered the leather chairs because although she doesn't scratch them, when she climbs up on them, it leaves little claw holes. One thing's for sure - all the negatives are far outweighed by the fun I have traveling with my little Gypsy!