There was an article on the Improvisational Life site that caught my eye. It suggested that the key to productivity was to “move the ball forward a little every day.” The thrust of the article was really about creative productivity. The recommendation was to do one hour of creative work before anything else every morning.

Anyway, my interpretation of that quote, at least for this particular week, is much more down to earth. Forget fostering creativity. My goal has been to to do something every day towards getting ready to leave on Friday.

Packing for me shouldn’t be that hard. Packing for Daisy took a bit of effort. She eats 1/3 cup of cut up chicken and 1 1/2 cups of dry food (grain free, of course, but that’s another story) twice a day. So yesterday, I baked six large boneless chicken breasts, cut them up and bagged 22 individual servings and froze them. I then measured out the dry food into 22 sandwich size bags. They’re used to us at the kennel. I always package up her food into individual servings, but not usually this much at one time. I’m planning to send a box of biscuits too. She’ll be heading out with a shopping bag.

Hopefully, Daisy will be just fine. Her kennel situation is as good as it can be, with the freedom of all day daycare and a small suite with her own bed from home at night. They know her well there, and she’s familiar with the people and the routine.

I’m a little concerned about Sam. He’s getting more and more attached to us as he ages, and he doesn’t like his routine interrupted. Our neighbor will feed him and deal with his litter box, but he’ll hide from her. Grateful that our friends, Peter and Janet, have volunteered to come by and give him some TLC.

Living with animals enriches life in many ways. But providing for them in your absence and concern for their well being does complicate travel. Doesn’t prevent it. Just complicates it a bit.