Hi, my name is Buddy and I’d like to share my Longcroft holiday experience with you, as I enjoy my holidays so much now.

Of course, it never used to be like that – I’ve been away to places where I was miserable and sad the whole time but a few years ago that all changed when my owners discovered Longcroft St Albans. Anyway, today I sense a real buzz about the house – something’s up and I spy my pet carrier on the table. It can only mean one of two things – I’m either off to the vet, unpleasant to say the least, or I’m off to that lovely Longcroft Hotel for my holiday. Paws crossed it’s the latter. I’ll soon find out as we’re now in the car heading down the road. Are we going right or left …. wait for it – yipee, we’ve turned right towards Longcroft. As soon as we arrive I can’t wait to see which suite I’ll be staying in. Is it Daisy or Bluebell …. we walk down the hallway and stop outside Bonsai. It has my name on the door – I’ve stayed in this one before and it’s really comfy, just like all the other suites.

Quick, open my carrier door so I can get out.  If I had gone to the vet’s instead of course I wouldn’t have come out without a fight but I just want to stretch my legs and have a good sniff around.  It’s always so clean and fresh here.  I make a bee line for the bowl of food that is waiting for me and have a quick drink while my owner talks to the nice Longcroft lady, Gill. Soon it’s time to say goodbye to them as they need to catch a plane.  I get lots of hugs from them, I think they feel a little guilty for leaving me but I really don’t mind as I’m going to enjoy my holiday as much as they are.  Now, time to settle down on that lovely comfy wrought iron bed for a little snooze, that car journey has made me sleepy.

What I really love about my holiday is all the attention I get.  Lots of cuddles and playing, I even get brushed every day, so I look even more handsome!  The climbing trees are amazing, such great gym facilities to run up and down – although I like to sleep at the top as it’s just the right size to curl up on.

It’s so nice to be in a calm tranquil place.  I don’t have to worry about being chased by that big ginger tom who lives up my road.  I can spend my days relaxing, just watching the birds and squirrels in the garden or sleep all day if I want – that’s what holidays are all about.

Of course, I know how to work the system – I’ve only got to look at the nice lady with my big brown eyes and give her a nudge with my nose and I know I’m going to get some Dreamies – what a pushover, it works every time!  I might even jump on her lap and snuggle down, just to give her a treat.

A big part of any holiday is the food – we all come back a few pounds heavier but here at Longcroft we get just the right amount to avoid any excess baggage.  Some nights I even get a really special dinner from the A La Cat menu that my kind owners have ordered for me.  Personally I love the meze as I get lots of different flavours to sample.

The nice lady comes into my room sometimes with her camera.  I like to make it a game – she tries to take a cute photo of me but I tease her and turn round so she only gets a shot of my bum, hehe!  It’s great fun but then I’m feeling kind today so I’ll let her take a nice photo which she can use for my pet postcard I’ll be sending to my owners to let them know how much I am enjoying my holiday.

Like all holidays, they pass too quickly and its nearly time to go home. Of course I’ll be pleased to see my owners and I know they will be pleased to see me as they can tell from my body language what a great, relaxing holiday I’ve had.  My  owners like to go to different places each year for their holidays but if they took me anywhere other than Longcroft I’d make sure they know I was unhappy!

Right then, back in my carrier and home I head.  I settle down straight away, happy and content.   I fall asleep dreaming about my next Longcroft holiday, I can’t wait…

(Kindly translated from cat into human by Gill, Longcroft St Albans)