Adapting or Not

We have been staying with my parents for 4 days now. Rumor has it they have a cat named Lilah. I have yet to see her. It is because of Lilah that my pets are banished. I have two cats who are 13 years old, totally indoors, declawed and "people" oriented. They both take a nap with my daughter and follow her around the house. Now, my parents didn't want Lilah upset about the visiting kitties so my cats are banished to the patio room and back yard. Back yard!!! These cats haven't been outside a day in their life in the 13 years we've owned them. One cat is so lonely she tries to follow anyone around who happens to go outside. The other cat is hiding in a cabinet. This patio room is not very big. It is long, but narrow and is also used as a storage room. My husband and I had to get away and so spent the day together (with the kids, of course). Got home to the news that the one cat went next door and the two dogs had him trapped. The neighbor's dogs hate cats. Great, let's let two old, declawed cats loose. One of the next door dogs even came under the fence and got into my parents yard. Do I see trouble on the horizon...oh yeah! The sad thing is our dog can't do anything to protect the cats. Lady likes the cats and they get along great, hence the lack of fear in the cats around dogs. You see, our dog has been banished to the side yard. Not the garage, not the back yard...the narrow walkway of a side yard. All concrete and garbage cans. When she is not in the side yard she has to be in her crate in the upstairs bedroom. She can't be in the backyard because, according to my father, she could "pee" and burn his grass. She can't be in the house because their invisible cat, Lilah, is terrified of dogs. I feel so bad for these pets. You look into their eyes and all your see is confusion. They are used to being with us 24/7 and now are banished. Our two-year old is just as confused. She is having a hard time going to sleep without her kitties. I am hoping our "vacation" will be cut short. We can see trouble on the horizon and are worrying about how our son will take it if something happens to one or both of the cats. They are too old to have to worry about running for their lives. They should be able to live out the rest of their lives in comfort; they've earned it. What's ironic is the invisible cat used to be wild. She can take care of herself outside, mine can't. Or at least let the dog out to protect his sisters...