Facing a problem yourself? Annie has answers. Ask away!

Dear Annie,

I am going to grad school in new york city next year. I have two cats in dc and can’t bring them with me to nyc because of apartment/ space reasons. My parents have kindly offered to take them for me, but I don’t know how I will survive without them! How can I not miss them so much!

XOXO,
worlds best cat mom

Dear worlds best cat mom,

The worst part about having a pet — besides maybe scooping up their poop — is saying goodbye, whether it’s for forever, to go to class or, in your case, for a new opportunity. As much as we want to take them everywhere, we can’t.

Focus on the love you have — the affection you feel for your cats, the support from your parents offering to take them for you and the appreciation for the opportunities New York City will bring. Paying more attention to the positive will not fill the ache of your cats’ absence, but it may help put your separation from them in perspective.

I don’t mean to suggest it isn’t reasonable to miss your pets while on your new adventure; I wailed like a banshee when I hugged my dog goodbye while leaving for college. I wasn’t alone — a relatively recent study from Washington State University reported that 75 percent of college students have anxiety about leaving their pets. But we can’t live at home forever and, as much as we may want to, we can’t bring our pets everywhere.

Develop a routine with your parents to help ease your separation anxiety. This routine could include regular updates or pictures of your furry friends. If they agreed to take the cats — and their litter box — into their home, sending updates is an easy part of the arrangement. If you FaceTime your parents, ask them to share their screen time with your cats — assuming your cats aren’t moody little guys who hide from the camera.

Additionally, consider finding a way to spend time with animals while in New York City, whether this means volunteering at a shelter or buying an overpriced drink at a cat café. It’s known that spending time with animals can reduce stress.

Remind yourself that your situation will not last forever. You may not be separated from your cats for the rest of your life. Further, having your parents house your cats serves as a good motivator to come home regularly — whether it’s for a weekend visit, a birthday or a holiday.

You are leaving your cats in a safe home with people you trust while you experience the Big Apple. And it sounds like you have the necessary questions figured out — where to leave the cats, where you will live when you arrive and where you will spend your days. It’s time to start asking yourself the exciting questions — like which Sex and the City character will inspire your wardrobe?

Meow we’re talking,

Annie