This was the cat's first time in the car besides coming home for the shelter. All of Bonnie's provisions were awaiting her in the car. No amount of comforting things could comfort her in this traumatising situation.
The initial release from the carrier was not fatal. It did, however, cause some alarm. She wandered around meowing, meowing, meowing. I started the engine. She was not a fan of the hum of our little cobalt. She coward.
The car started moving. I whispered to her that it is ok, she's fine, and tried to settle her down in the passenger seat. She had none of this. Let's face it folks, cats are no travel companions.
Luckily, the first trip got to break her into car rides. Charleston is only 3 hours from home base. The first hour was composed of chronic meows and moans of misery. She couldn't figure out where to sit. The backseat was terrifying. While in the back seat she experiences trembles and shakes of terror unless mom's hand was on her. I can't drive with one hand in the back seat so I pulled her up front to the passenger seat where she sat trembling and crying unless I had my hand on her. Finally, she calmed. Twenty minutes later she got bored and decided to climb on the headrest and ride there. That lasted 5 minutes. She returned to the safety of the passenger seat.
Bonnie's quickly set rules for me for our trip. I had to have one hand on her at all times. I was to avoid passing trucks at all costs. I was not to go anywhere near a rumble strip. And above all, it was highly frowned upon if music was played at a level over 15. Anything over that and she was having a cow.
Quickly, I see who is in charge on this trip. Thank goodness Charleston is close. I'll give her enough time to recover from the road trauma and then I will introduce her to a toddler for the first time. Good luck Bonnie. 
