When Nathan and I brought Pepper home three years ago, I certainly never anticipated having problems with allergies or asthma - which started happening right after we adopted her.
I vacuumed extra, dusted extra, kept the house aired out, ran air purifiers, gave her extra grooming . . .
My lungs have just not quite recovered from the double pneumonia - and the doctor said it was time to find her a new home.
She went to live with a wonderful mama and teen daughter. In a lucky happenstance, the woman that took Pepper in was also a student of my grandmother when she taught school. So, I know it's a good home, because Grandma - even from the great beyond - is clearly guiding and helping - just like always.
But I feel like my heart is breaking - and I know Nathan is terribly sad, too. She was such a wonderful part of our family - and we miss her so much. We start to call for her, and then stop and realize she's not here - I keep listening for her purr when I am in bed - nothing.
She is such a unique character - I know she'll settle in with the new family and do well. It's just hard to say goodbye - I'd forgotten how that hurts.
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The family that took her said we could come and visit. I don't want to go too soon - she needs to settle. On the other hand, maybe a brief check-in would be better than waiting for two weeks?
It is so empty without her hopping up on my lap while I type. The squirrels that used to tease her through the sliding glass door are looking a little lost, too -
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I'm sorry you had to give her up, Shan! Are you allergic to rabbits? They make great pets - I had one that roamed free and knew how to use the litter box. He was very affectionate, too, and very easy to train.
I'm severely allergic to cats, myself. My in-laws had a cat that passed away last year at 19. I couldn't stay in the house for more than an hour at a time and even now that the cat is gone, I still can't stay in there long (my mother-in-law is not very domestic). That works out well for me and my husband has gone from being a cat person to being a dog person, so everyone is happy.
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So, I only cried for about 10 minutes last night. Improvement. My lungs aren't rattling in the morning. That's improvement, too. The family Pepper's with say that she is settling in - a little unsure still, but eating well, using the litterbox, coming out for some loving from time to time . . . Nathan and I catch ourselves calling for her when we get home in the evening -
Mrs. M - I am allergic to ferrets. I don't know about rabbits - would they be similar in allergans, do you suppose? I told Nathan that if all goes well with lungs recovering, we could consider a hamster or gerbil in the fall. Or would they cause similar reactions?
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