Worst Decision We’ve Ever Had To Make
Traveling and sailing the world with our two cats for the last ten years has been the biggest adventure of our lives. However, we’ve been confronted with some hard decisions and it’s been an emotional roller coaster. But, it’s a part of our story and not one we want to leave you out on.
Choosing to live an alternative lifestyle, especially one as a nomad, comes with its challenges. Luckily for us, both Singa and Cleo have adapted and thrived through the ever-changing journey.
They’ve sniffed, hunted and marked more territories in their lifetime than any other pawed creature I know. From climbing mountains, descending into canyons and lapping from glacial rivers, there isn’t much these two furry travelers haven’t done.
Our thousands of miles road-tripping together around North America were mostly seamless and straightforward. Even moving aboard a sailboat proved to be more of a challenge for us humans than the felines. But, 13,000 nautical miles later we’re at a crossroads.
This is the most difficult story we’ve ever shared, and you may want a handkerchief close by for the ending.
First, I just want to say that it is possible to travel internationally with pets and this is in no way intended to discourage you from doing so. It is challenging but can be done. If you want to get an idea of what you’ll need to do, check out the requirements to import a pet into Australia (click here). They have the most strict rules and if you’re prepared from the start with the proper paperwork, vaccines, and microchipping, it makes life a whole lot easier.
A Bitter Sweet Goodbye
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” -Winnie-the-Pooh
Both of us struggled to leave the ranch and we almost considered calling it quits to stay with them.
Saying goodbye to Cleo was the hardest. We knew given her age and health, that was potentially the last time we would see her. Which was gut-wrenching!
She lived a very long and full life right up until the end. Surrounded by friends she passed peacefully with Lynn, Clark, Singa and the whole gang by her side.
Sharing sadness or trauma isn’t something I do well. I don’t like crying in front of others and my default response is to stuff it and keep-it-together. That or shut down entirely. My emotions typically pack their bags and retreat until I’m all alone in a warm, safe space. Sort of like a scared cat I suppose. There I stay until I feel I can face the world again.
Picking up a camera and editing this video to share with you has been a huge challenge. It’s one of the few times I wished we didn’t share our lives so publicly. Mostly because of that default response to retreat until it hurts less. We would have loved to put together a beautiful tribute video filled with all the sweetest, funniest, most adventurous furry moments of Cleo’s life. But we simply don’t have the strength to do it. We have a gaping hole in our hearts that needs time to heal.
As for Singa, he really is loving the buzz and freedom of farm life at Mutiny Ranch. We get photos and video updates from Lynn that simultaneously make us oh-so-happy and just a tad envious. Our world doesn’t sound or feel quite the same without them both by our side. It’s a strange new world we live in now void of furry snuggles, meows, and purrs.
It’s the end of an era, but they will forever be with us in spirit.
And, when I feel the sadness tug at my heart, I reach for my phone and within a few taps, there is Singa on Instagram, climbing a tree at Mutiny Ranch.
Mutiny Ranch
My dear friends Lynn and Clark, I don’t know how you do it.
They open their home and hearts to so many humans and animals alike. But, to take in animals that are at the end of their life takes supernatural strength and superhero sized hearts.
Mutiny Ranch is in Cortez, Colorado. We spent a few weeks on the ranch helping the cats settle in, reconnecting with our friends and all around enjoying farm life. Because there is something incredibly rewarding and satisfying about working with your hands and tending to a farm. It’s therapeutic and takes me right back to my childhood.
Lynn can be found at the local Farmers Markets with the-best-in-the-world sourdough bread, homemade jams, freshly roasted coffee and who knows what else! The sales help keep the Mutiny crew fed and the haystacks fresh.
Follow the whole Mutiny gang on Instagram here: instagram.com/talesfromthemutiny/
Learn more about Lynn and Clark here: talesfromthemutiny.com/
🎥CAMERA GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO📷
- All of our Photo & Video Gear: gonewiththewynns.com/photo-video-gear
🎶AWESOME tunes:
- Source: http://bit.ly/artlist-gwtw
- Artists: – The Hunts, Ziv Moran, Amick Cutler, Loya, Muted, Giants and Pilgrims, & Ben Noble
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