As your moving date approaches, try to maintain your pet's routine, including feeding, exercise and play times. When you begin to box up your belongings, and particularly when movers arrive, you may want to consider recruiting a friend to pet-sit to avoid undue stress for your companion. Make sure your pet is wearing updated identification, and that you're carrying some kind of identification for your pet, including recent photos. If your pet escapes at any time during your move, you'll be prepared.

Veterinarians also recommend that if you pack a water supply from home you're leaving. Changing water sources could cause your pet stomach upset and ultimately, dehydration. Keep your pet's food as bland as possible; this isn't time to experiment with new brands or varieties. Check with your vet for his or her recommendations. Bring your pet for a thorough physical exam prior to your move, and make sure you obtain your pet's updated records from your vet. If your vet can't refer you to a new health-care provider in your new hometown, call American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) at (800) 883-6301 for a list of local veterinarians in your new hometown.

Another tip: Several weeks before your move, find out what regulations are in your new home state regarding importation of animals. These laws often vary from state to state and even among counties.

Coming next week: Stay tuned for some enlightening tips specific to moving of cats, dogs, birds and other small critters such as gerbils and hamsters. Each one of these pets possesses a set of personality characteristics unique to species, and they affect how well your pet is able to adapt to moving experience.

MoreMoving Advice

INURE: Take effect

LEASE: A type of legal agreement establishing a landlord-tenant relationship

LESSEE: Tenant

LESSOR: Landlord

LIABILITY: Responsibility, loss; a negative element

NOTICE TO QUIT: Notification from landlord to tenant ordering tenant off property, usually after thirty days from first day of rental period

NOTICE TO VACATE: Notification from tenant to landlord stating tenant's intention to leave property, usually after thirty days from first day of rental period

PARTIES TO A LEASE: Those who agree to abide by provisions of a lease; typically you as a tenant, any roommates, and landlord

POSSESSION: Lawful occupation and use of land, subject to protections of "quiet enjoyment"

REPLEVIN: Legal action to recover property that was unlawfully seized

SUBLET: Agreeing to permit someone to use a rented property for a term less that full term of lease, and to be paid for that permission

SUMMARY PROCEEDING (to recover possession): Eviction. It is called "summary proceeding" because it is a swift and simple procedure for landlord

TENANT AT SUFFERANCE: A tenant who has remained in a unit after a lease or tenancy at will agreement has expired or was terminated

TENANT WITHOUT A LEASE: A tenant with landlord's consent to occupy a premises without a lease

TENANT WITH A LEASE: A tenant with a contract that allows for a certain length of occupancy at a set rent

TERM OF LEASE: The length of time that a lease shall be in effect; duration of obligation

WAIVER: Relinquishment of a right, agreeing to give up something to which you are entitled

WARRANTY OF HABITABILITY: Promise that property is safe and usable for residential use.

Hopefully these definitions will help you make it through reading of your lease. If you still feel like you don't understand terms of your lease, don't feel like you can't ask questions. This is YOUR lease for YOUR apartment, so don't sign anything you don't completely understand.