I've had to turn down a number of social invitations this week: lunch, church, picnic, and even a sweat lodge. Why? Because I can't leave Casper in a hot van. People know I'm living in my van with a cat... but either don't realize the consequences of my leaving the cat in the van, or think it's OK to leave my cat in the van in the hot sun. I keep saying there is little to no shaded parking in Erie. That means in about 5-10 minutes the internal temperature becomes 105-120 degrees very quickly. This cargo van is just one layer of steel which makes a great heat conductor from the sun... and a baby/pet killer in summer.

Not only that but Casper needs eye ointment several times a day after his recent eye surgery, and he still has uncontrolled diarrhea.The antibiotic stops the problem, but I can't keep him on it forever. He's on his second treatment. If I stop the meds, the problem reappears. Now keep in mind, it is hot out, and diarrhea stinks. And draws ants and flies within minutes. I need to be ready to clean up right away. If I'm not there to clean up, the situation can become very unpleasant for Casper who is now confined outside, but in a small space.

Let me explain about the small space. I had a dog fence which gave Casper some room to enjoy lying on the grass under a canopy. I made the mistake of placing a piece of carpet on top of one of the wire cages so he would be in shade while I did a quick walk up to the office and back. When I returned he was nowhere to be found. He'd used the carpet as a springboard to freedom. I looked, but didn't see him for a good 30 minutes. He showed up with leaves all over him and caught in his whiskers. He was coming from the road, which he'd undoubtedly crossed and had been lying under someone's "fifth wheel".

So now I have taken away some of his wide open spaces, and he is now confined in the two wire crates which I have opened into each other. He has enough room for his water bowl, food dish and a small litter box plus enough room to lie down comfortably. But because the earth moves - not the sun - the shade isn't constant and I have to keep moving his extended cage. So you can understand leaving him alone for any more than 10 minutes is a bad idea.

Now all this may not seem like a lot to handle to you. But remember, I'm now in my 60's and don't have the stamina, energy or physical strength to do what I could do as a 30-year-old. This heat and humidity are tough on someone my age and even those younger than I.

Now some have told me: why don't you just give him to a shelter for adoption, or why don't you just have him put down? Well, if one of your children were an inconvenience would you put him/her up for adoption or have him or her put to death? I think not. So don't even hint at either one. Casper has been my child for 14 years. Only when he is too sick to continue living will I consider euthanasia. But thanks for asking.


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