Terrified of the cat carrier

by Donna
(New Hampshire )

I have a 2 year old male neutered orange cat. He is very affectionate, loves to snuggle, but hates to be picked up. I have been challenged every time that I have to get him into the cat carrier to bring him to the vet. I decided to try a harness and a leash, and that ended horribly. He tolerated the harness (not happily), but the leash just freaked him out. He was so afraid that he bit the back of my leg and wouldn't let go. I'm not talking a nip, a full blown ugly cat bite. Any ideas how I can convince my darling baby boy that it is perfectly okay to go in the cat carrier. When we get to the vet and it is time to come home, he gets into the carrier and hides in the back as if to say -- okay I'm ready Home Please!