<<   Any expert advice that anyone could offer would certainly be appreciated.

Thank you.

Lynn >>

Well, my advice is not expert, by any means.  Personally, I think it's best to
leave them home.  Cats are as attached to their surroundings as they are to
their owners (even more so, I've read in some places).  Since it's only 3 days
that you will be gone, it seems  like it might be more stressful to take her
especially since you say she will be alone most of the time.  I'm sure she
would be confused and stressed as to where she was.  If it was for a longer
period of time, I would say take her but for only 3 days, it seems easier to
keep her home.  However, that said, 3 days is a long time to leave her without
someone checking on her.  Do you have a neighbor or friend close by who could
drop in and spend a few minutes with her once a day?  We leave our cats alone
for one night once in awhile but that is all and I don't have anyone check them
for that period of time but I don't think I would want to leave them for 2
nights without someone looking in on them.  Other people do, though, with no
problems.

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human."  (Loren Eisely)

Personally, I would leave her at home, but I would have someone check on her
daily to check food and clean litter box.  I hire a pet sitter to check on
my cats twice a day...even if I'm going to be gone only over night.  Guess
I'm a little crazy......

Sue

I agree with Candace.

I used to rely exslusively on friends and had a bad experience with an
absent-minded friend that did come but forgot to feed her the last visit.
She's also skittish and easily put off by bad weather.

Rather than jeopardize my cat's well being and the friendship, I don't rely on
friends anymore.  I still ask if a friend or two can pop in for some company,
especially for an extended time away.  But for the necessities I pay a sitter
to come in once a day (bonded, insured).  Costs me $15 a day, includes a 30
minute visit.  She does food/water/litter, takes in mail/newpaper, waters
plants, a little play time.  If medication was invovled she'd do that do.  

Unless your cat has medical issues that require supervision, I think a
pet-sitter is a great way to go.

If you can find someone that makes a full-time living at this, you're likely to
get someone who cares about and is knowledgeable about cats.