We arrived in France on Monday and are busy getting settled in our new (to us) home, so I have asked Neville to be a guest blogger today and share his thoughts on our recent move.
Hi, I’m Neville.

I don’t understand why humans can’t stay put. Until a few weeks ago, I had a comfortable home with all of my favorite things, a fireplace, a catio, comfortable places to nap, and lots of people came to visit me, so why did my pet parents have to move all the way to France? Let me tell you all about my traumatic experiences in getting here.








At first, I thought all of the boxes in the house were for my benefit. Like most cats, I have a thing for boxes; they’re great for playing and sleeping in. However, I started getting suspicious when my pets started putting things in the boxes and taking them away.
Soon, larger items started disappearing too, like tables, chairs, the couch, beds, and other things that I have grown accustomed to.

At first I thought new furniture would be arriving and I would be busy getting it broken in. But alas, that wasn’t the case. Not long after the furniture disappeared, I was put in the carrier and taken to the home of my pet mom’s sister. I have been there before, so it wasn’t too much of an adjustment. They have two small humans, who are pretty nice, they don’t scream or pull my tail like some small humans do. They pet and play with me; I can handle that.

However, they have a dog – yuck. But I don’t see her very often; so I figured this wasn’t too bad of a situation and started settling in.

But as with most humans, they can’t stay put, and I started getting suspicious again when the suitcases came out. Not long after that, I was shoved into the carrier again and taken to a place called Seatac International Airport. I do not recommend ever going to this place; it’s noisy, chaotic, and the humans there don’t listen.

I tried telling everyone to take me home, but no one would listen. Lots of humans came up to my carrier and cooed and talked at me, telling me that I am a handsome feline, which, of course, I am, but no one would do what I asked.
But wait, it gets worse; my pets took me onto a plane; I have never been on one before and I hope I NEVER have to be on one again. And while my pets were sitting in what looked like comfortable chairs; I was shoved under the seat in front of them. I kept trying to get the attention of the human sitting above me; but again, I was totally ignored.

Soon, the plane started moving, faster and faster, the engines were screaming and I truly thought I was going to die right then and there. The weird thing was that the humans around me looked totally relaxed; my pet dad was even asleep! Hello!?!? Don’t you realize we’re all about to die?? But soon it felt like we were flying, and it quieted down a bit, but I was stuck on that thing for ten hours; it was sheer torture, but I did manage to get a nap.
When we finally got off the plane, in a place called Charles de Gaulle International Airport (I strongly suggest you never go to this place either) everyone was talking strangely, and it was also noisy and chaotic. I was not a happy camper.
After leaving the airport, we drove for four hours; I thought I’d never get out of that damn carrier. But we eventually stopped and I was taken into a strange house where I was finally let out. There was a nice human there who showed my pet parents around. He spoke the language I am familiar with, but in a funny way. My pet parents say he is from England; I guess they talk differently there.
At this point, my pets started taking things out of suitcases and boxes and putting them away. They brought some of my toys, and other things I’m familiar with which made me feel a little at home.

SIGH. I’m slowly getting use to this house, which my pets tell me is over two hundred years old. It’s really quiet and I can see lots of mice and birds from the windows; so maybe I’ll get to go outside one day and have some fun. Hmm, do French mice taste different than the ones at home? I hope to find out. So maybe it won’t be so bad after all. Time will tell.
Neville
Neville is such a trooper, he did so well, sometimes I think better than we did, as we were so anxious for him. But all is good now, thanks Nevill for telling your side of the story.
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Trooper is the right word, this article had me smiling throughout, nicely written. I’m sure it won’t be long before Neville feels perfectly at home in the new pad.
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Thanks for your comment! I’m so glad you were entertained. We are surprised at how adaptable he is. We’re thinking we might spend a few months in the south of Spain this winter, and are not at all concerned about him adjusting.
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What a wonderful and clever post! So fun to hear about the journey from Neville’s perspective 🙂
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Thanks! I’m really pleased at how adaptable he is.
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Oh Neville, such a good sport! Tricia, the blog was great and made me laugh! I’m glad to hear you are settling in.
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Thanks Nancy! We’re all enjoying getting settled in our rustic home.
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Aww, Neville will learn to meow in French in no time 🙂 Maggie
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Agreed; he’s a quick learner!
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I loved reading this! Neville is one cool cat 🙂
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Thanks Terri!
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Claudine and JJ think you are extraordinarily strong, Neville. We hope your pet parents appreciate your fortitude during these few trying days (an airplane?!?!) We wish you your own grand adventure once your pets let you roam ourside.You might want to work on a French sounding meow; might help you new friends (BTW–you are a great storyteller…!)
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Thanks so much Claudine and JJ! Good advice too.
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We just adopted 2 kittens in the new year (now age 7.5 months), so I loved this. Just curious, Neville: how did you hold it for all those hours en route?
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As our vet explained to us, animals tend to shut down in stressful situations. We had a pee pad in his carrier just in case though. It didn’t take him long to use his litter box once we got here!
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Oh, and thanks for your comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
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I laughed so much as I read Neville’s adventures. Loved the story he told of the adventure. I’m sure he will adjust to the French way of life in a short time.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Neville is settling in nicely now.
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Loved all the pictures of Neville and also loved his story of the big move. I am right there with him about flying, hate it! So, do you guys have to learn French now, or do you already speak it?
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Thanks Peg! I’m glad you enjoyed the post, it was fun to write. We both speak some French, although many people in Normandy speak English, since it is a popular spot for UK residents to settle in. I do hope to be fluent after living here for a while; fingers crossed!
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Good luck!
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Neville, you are a super-duper writer! I’m sure that flying was a bit scary … sometimes I wish I can hide under the seat 😉. Loved this story – had put a huge smile on my face early in the morning!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment and have a great day.
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Dear Neville: I adore your on-the-floor selfie with your cousin B. But who’s that old codger in his pj’s with you and your pet dad? I can’t imagine he’s a good influence on your pet papa…
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Neville does have a side to him only touched by old codgers
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Neville, you have a future as a blogger! Your story was most interesting, and you are so brave and strong for putting up with your pet parents and their shenanigans. Parents can be so difficult. But, reading between the lines, my guess is that you will love your new home. Chasing French mice in the French countryside will be a whole lot of fun. Welcome to your new home!
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😺
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This gave me a smile
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment.
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Thank you
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