Well the past few months I've been living at my parents house that they were planning to demolish and build a new home upon. I was expecting that come June my parents would have all the permits submitted and we would need to be out by then. Well about 10 days into May my parents inform me that they are destroying the house in about 8 days and we need to find somewhere to live.
Well long story short we couldn't find anywhere that allowed cats at least not in our budget range, and on such short notice. When it was coming down to the last few days I told Mrs. BB that if I came home and the cats were suddenly gone I'd take it much better. So of course after we researched some no kill adoption programs and found only one that was taking cats instead of just kittens it was only going to be in town one day in the month, in the morning. Meaning only *I* could take the cats in.
I survived the last two three days just thinking about other things instead of the impending day. The day of, I felt like I was carrying an extra 50 lbs of mental weight all morning. When I left work to finally take the cats to the drop off point my composure deteriorated pretty quickly. It didn't help that as I walked in the door with one cat carrier and a duffel bag that both cats meowed affectionately to me.
The drive there I just didn't want to suppress the desire to talk to my cats. I never do, but for some reason I needed to tell them how to maximize their chances for adoption and that they couldn't hiss at strangers anymore. I felt like a fool, but it made me feel better, it was like dropping two children off for summer camp.
The people at the adoption agency were so kind, and I was so glad that they understood that when my cats hissed it was not out of malice but fear. I was informed that they would give my cats about 10 days to get used to being around all these other animals before putting them up for display. I filled out detailed descriptions of both of them, and then suddenly it was time to say goodbye. I kissed them both on the head and then just walked briskly for the door, I had been fighting back tears for about 10 minutes and I was out of willpower. I managed to make it to the car when I sobbed alittle, and about halfway back home I just lost it. I didn't cry for the dog I had for 4 years when I had to give him up because we moved to another country, nor did I cry for my cat I had for 7 years when I found out he had just disappeared. But I suppose that was because I shared those pets with my siblings. Mao Mao and Maya were MY cats and I had picked them and taken care of them. I spent more money then I care to think about at vets and many hours searching for both of them on separate occasions when both of them wandered outside.
It's been a few days since I said goodbye to them and I feel alot better, but it's all too clear to me now that when I have real children I am going to have to cultivate ALOT more self control. I'm a freaking pushover.
I hope Mao Mao and Maya find good homes, I just wish I could have given them one a few more years.
[ May 28, 2008, 09:50 AM: Message edited by: BlackBlade ]
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
I have 2 cats as well Orange thing and Skittles.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I'm sorry. That sounds very hard.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Oh, I am so sorry. I'm glad you found a no kill program but sorry you had to give them up. We have two cats and it would break my heart to have to give them away.
I know how you feel about the urge to do something you know won't make a lick of difference but it makes you feel better. When I had to leave Maggie at the hospital without me I left her a blanket that I'd been hanging on myself all day, so it smelled like me. It didn't matter to HER, but it made ME feel better. (The next night I took it home because by then it smelled like her and I was sure she would be fine, but I needed comfort!)
I hope they find good homes soon, will you be able to find out? (((hugs)))
Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :
Oh BB, I'm so sorry. Thank you for doing the absolute best for them that you could.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
(((Mao Mao & Maya))) I'll make a donation to our humane society on their behalves. Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
((BlackBlade))
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
((BB)) I can't imagine how hard that would be. Well, I can imagine and it makes me cry. I've wrestled back and forth for more than a year about what to do with one of our cats (who we've had a lot of bathroom problems with), since we now have a baby who will very soon be crawling. I'm glad you found a no-kill shelter to take them to and that you're feeling a little better. I hope they'll have a new home(s) soon!
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
((BlackBlade))
I may have to find a new home for my cat next summer, depending on circumstances. Reading your story broke my heart.
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
((BlackBlade)) When I moved from Indiana to Minnesota last fall, I had to find new homes for 3 of my 4 cats (was moving in with a roommate in a 2-cats-maximum apartment). I was able to personally place them all with people who I knew well and was sure would provide good homes for them, but I still bawled like a baby over each one. I'm so sorry you had to give them up.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I'm sorry you had/have to go through that.
I can't imagine having to give up my dog. She's getting old now (14 year old pure bred Cocker Spaniel) and despite the fact that I think of her as my little puppy (I got her when I was 10), the whole family is starting to realize that her health is deteriorating rather rapidly, and I'm going to be a wreck one day when she actually goes.
I hope they find good homes.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Stray: Tatiana (the cat) says hi Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
Give her a scritch for me, fugu.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Thanks for all the sentiments folks. One day I'll be in my own house and then I'll go kitty/puppy shopping once again.
[ May 28, 2008, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: BlackBlade ]
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Orange thing and Skittles.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Give her a scritch for me, fugu.