I think it might be even more difficult than leaving (human) "children."

No, I get it.

clearly you are bonded with your cat and I presume she with you

When I'm sitting on the driveway chilling, she'll be on the windowsill meowing the whole time until I come inside. It's kinda funny, actually.

It’s just what they do….

We have 3 cats. Well, four if you count our "parade of fosters". We travel at least 3-4 times a year now that we're retired. We've found an excellent pet sitter in our area that just adores our cats. She works at the local spay-and-neuter vet office, which is how we got to know her. We find that our kitties are extra affectionate when we get home. I don't like to leave them either, but I love to travel.

One of them really responds well and seens to be reassured by it. The other 2 don't seem to care. Is it just one cat? Having more than one makes it easier. Even when they don't like each other, they can have perverse pleasure in interactions with their "enemy".

I only travel to places he can go to, too. My neighbor looked after him the weekend I went up to Door County to see a play by the Pennisula Players. He didn't seem to even miss me.

I've done gigs in eighteen different countries on three different continents, but now I don't want to travel anymore. The most I can deal with is two or three nights. We have to go to a wedding next month. We're flying in the night before and heading home the day after. I need to have a cat in my lap most of the time, according to my cats.

Maybe do a Friday through the following Saturday or Sunday. That way everybody's happy.

Don’t like leaving our cats alone either. Don’t really have anyone anymore we could have check on her and my vet doesn’t board animals any longer.