All of Her Things

My husband and I will move to a town just outside Munich. Currently, my husband has an apartment in Bayreuth, and I have one in Philadelphia. We’re looking forward to living in a home we can call “ours.”

My biggest concern with this move to Germany has been my cat, Tobias. Tobias came into my life almost three years ago. He’s been with me through all the highs and lows of my life in Philadelphia. I’ve traveled extensively over the last year, and finding people to care for him has been challenging. My friends have been amazing and supportive through all of this.

Tobias has never been a good traveler. I remember the day I got him. I picked him up from a friend’s home. He cried the entire 20-minute drive home, but I thought, luckily, he’d only be traveling to the vet. I didn’t want to torment him. But every time we got into the car, the crying got worse. Tobias is a sweet boy, but just starting the car turns him into a completely different cat. His baby cry would turn into a deep, chesty voice that reminded me of a demon. Then I fell in love with a German man and decided to move. I genuinely felt like a move to another country would be way too much for him.

I was in Germany for almost three months while my friend watched him. She dropped him off at my apartment before I got home and told me Tobias scratched his carrier so much she was afraid he would get out while she drove. I was already trying to decide if I should take him to Germany in July or December, so I did a test when I got home from Germany in May. I put him in his carrier and drove. Of course, he got out of the carrier. That was dangerous, and July was not the right time. Another issue I had was finding someone to watch him for another two months, so it would have to be now or never. I hate to admit that there was a moment when I considered finding him a new home, but I couldn’t imagine my life without him, so I decided I’d start “training” Tobias for the move.

How to train a nugg to travel in 2 months

I decided to train him in early June. Step one started with making an appointment with the vet in early July to complete the paperwork for him. In the meantime, we started training.

Training started with him sitting in his carrier for about 5 minutes and then increasing the time each day. Eventually, I started leaving the room. Then, I’d be in and out of the room for up to an hour. Sometimes, I’d move him to another part of the room. He never reacted. Little man got comfortable. I did this for about two weeks.

Next, I’d start bringing him to the car without starting it. This was fine, but I couldn’t leave him in summer heat, so the silent car sits would only last a few minutes. When I decided to start the car, Tobias would go nuts. I started giving him some calming treats, which helped a little. He was still scratching and howling, but the deep demon sound from his tiny body disappeared, so I decided to start driving just around the block. Then I would drive, park, and walk down the street with him in his carrier, which is when I realized he really hates the car. Okay. I thought I was on to something!

The only issue is that a good chunk of this trip would include car travel, and I had no idea how he’d act on a plane. I decided to talk to his vet about prescribing something so maybe he could chill out. Before his July appointment, I sent an email explaining the issue I was having, and she prescribed gabapentin.

I started taking longer rides with him to Target, REI, and the King of Prussia Mall to test out calming treats versus gabapentin. After two months, he wasn’t ready at all, but he got clearance from the vet to fly (being a healthy cat), had his in-cabin pet ticket, and we were expecting his international health certificate in the mail within the week of departure. Unless the certificate didn’t show, this Nugg was going to Germany, whether he liked it or not.

Leading up to the day, I gave him one gabapentin every 8 hours or so, as instructed by the vet. On the day, I gave him three open capsules mixed with water about two hours before leaving. I also gave him a few calming treats. This didn’t work. He meowed the entire two-hour ride to the airport.

At the airport

Honestly, the airport was a mess. First, when checking him in, a United staff member couldn’t find his microchip information (even though it was right in front of her face). Then, I had my own issues because I’ve been working on changing my middle and last name. I updated my passport but not my driver’s license. That’s another story I won’t get into, but don’t be like me with a different last name as your ticket. We ultimately got through security though. I was instructed to take Tobias out of his carrier and requested we wait in a room so he wouldn’t run away. Also, I just wanted him to stretch his legs. I stayed with Tobias in a small room for maybe 5 minutes as TSA checked the carrier.

After TSA, we headed towards our gate to ensure it was correct and then went to lunch. Tobias was pretty relaxed during lunch in his carrier, but with a 7-hour flight coming, I wanted to ensure he stretched his legs, so we found the pet area. It was gross in there. It smelled like dog poop. I get it, but also, ew. I guess this is why I don’t have a dog. I made sure to give Tobias a Churu snack to keep him hydrated before getting him back in the carrier.

On the plane to Germany

When we got on the plane and put him under the seat in front of me, I cried a little. I hated seeing him this way, in such a small space and unable to move. He cried the entire time, but the plane was so loud that no one could hear him besides me. Tobias likes feet, so having my feet next to him helped A LITTLE.

Tobias scratched the carrier quite a bit, and I was scared it wouldn’t hold up. I don’t think he slept the entire flight; he just gave up at points. I ended up raw-dogging the entire flight—not sleeping or entertaining myself, just watching him and the flight information on the screen in front of me.

I have a German Nugg!

When we landed in Munich, we could not find a pet area, and I could tell Tobias was so uncomfortable; however, we lucked out at border control, and it only took a few minutes to get through. Once we got our luggage, we went to an accessible bathroom, where I let him out for a little bit, fed him, and gave him more gabapentin. Then, it was back in the carrier.

We went to declare him and show his papers to the guard. They checked his microchip, and we were good to go! It was weirdly easy. My husband’s friend drove us to our car in Ingolstadt, and we were on the final leg of our trip! Only 2 hours to get to Bayreuth. Thank goodness.

I sat with Tobias in the back. We were both tired, and I think we both passed out during the drive.

Post-travel

When we got home in Germany, Tobias was so tired. The vet instructed me to give him gabapentin every 8-12 hours, and I did, but he didn’t sleep and couldn’t relax. I’d try not to give him any of that anymore if possible. It didn’t work when I needed it to, and he was just not himself when we got here. He had trouble walking, and all he could do was lie down. He did catch up on his sleep, though.

I feel so bad because we have another move coming up, but it’ll be our permanent home. My Philly apartment was too small for him, and I couldn’t imagine him going outside there, but our new home will be much bigger. Tobias will have more rooms to explore, balconies, and even some outdoor space. The area is nice and quiet, with no loud cars driving by, and there is a lot for Tobias to see, even as an indoor cat.

Tobias has already been introduced to my husband’s aunt, who spoils him with only the best treats and toys. I think he’ll love it here and be a lot happier and relaxed as a German nugg.

Deutschland, das ist meine kleine Katze, Tobias “Lil Nugg” Richards Schmidt.