I'm so sorry, Merry. I had to leave my cats when I left AXH. It was so hard. But it was DS and I getting away or none. I wish I could've thought of a way to sneak them away like BoxinRotz did hers and been brave enough to do so.
I got through it by telling DS stories about the silly kitties. I concentrated on getting to a place (location and financially) where DS and I could finally have our own cat. Now we have Sasuke, who thinks he's a dog: he plays fetch and walks on a leash. We're his just as much as he's ours and he can never be taken by AXH.
I'm so sorry, Merry. (((hugs)))