When I was a kid, we went on the family vacation, driving from Western Pennsylvania to the Delaware shore. Dad, Mom, Me, My Sister, Ralph the family dog, and Perandy the family cat all 30 plus pounds of him.

My parents drove a Citroen, for reasons I still don't understand. Mom and Dad rode up front, with Ralph, who was a miniature poodle. Ellen and I rode in the back seat. Perandy rode in the very back, on top of the luggage. He had a rug and a litter box.

People would start staring because of the unusual car. Then they'd see mega kitty in the back. We never caused an accident, but we collected more than our share of double takes.

We would, eventually come to the Chesepeake Bay Bridge, which is a long bridge. Perandy would perk up, and start to sniff the air. There were thousands of dead fish out there! He wanted his share.