Little Old Ladies

The trip is nearly upon us now, and I've been quite worried about two little old ladies.  This is one of them :

Jeepy will be 16 years old next year, with a little over 200,000km on the clock.  We’ve just had the timing belt replaced but there’s been something happening in the front left corner which causes it to creak and groan ominously.  She’s just back from the mechanic, minus the creak and with a new ball-joint in the front left, so hopefully she is fit to travel!

This is the other, and more worrying, little old lady.

Molly is fourteen years old and has aged noticeably in the last six months.  I’ve been worrying more and more about how she will cope with the ferry crossing, as she will have to go into a “kennel” in the hold – basically a cage, really.  If it’s anyway rough or cold I’m worried she will suffer needlessly. 

What are the options?  She can’t stay at home, Tansy's hours are erratic, to say the least.  Denis can’t take her, his apartment complex doesn’t allow pets.   Aideen can’t take her for the same reason.   Asking someone to call to our house at least once every single day for four months is a huge imposition, and I'm not comfortable doing it.  There is no way I will have her put to sleep just because we are going away, she is too well in herself at the moment to do that to her.  I had resigned myself to the fact that she would just have to endure the journey and that we would bring a comfy bed and old sleeping bag to try to keep her warm on the ferry. 

Last week, out of the blue, this little old lady came to the rescue!

My mum was having the same concerns and worries about Molly and spoke to me about it.  To make a long phone call short, she will take Molly home with her after Christmas and they will look after each other until we’re back.  My mother's biggest concern about taking her is whether she will be able to get in and out of the car by herself, as Mum is very arthitic and definitely won't be able to help her.  At the moment, Molly is learning how to use a ramp to get over this problem!

I am so relieved about this.  I will be heart-broken saying goodbye to Molly on Dec 27th, as I know there is a fair chance I won’t see her again, but this is the best solution for her.