Something I need to say....

...that really isn't "appropriate" (??) for social networking sites (i.e. Facebook and Google+).

We (if you didn't know) recently re-homed our cat, Zelda.  We rescued her from behind our apartment in Mercer 6 years ago when she was a tiny kitten crying night after night because she was locked in a crate in the heat and storms of August.  She was living in a litter box with her food and water dish usually empty or full of rain water also in the litter box.  Ron couldn't take the kitten crying anymore so asked me one night to bring her in.  We left several notes for the owner with no response.  We're pretty sure we knew WHO it was but no contact and then they just up and disappeared.

We were not in a place to have a pet (landlord said no until we someone "convinced him" that she wouldn't destroy anything, etc.) and we weren't looking for one.  I will admit she was entertaining while Ron worked (he had terrible hours at AE when we got her) and kept me company but I wouldn't have known any differently had we just left her.  Also, had we just left her, she would've died...there was no surviving her living "arrangements".

A few times I asked Ron that we get rid of her - once before Caroline was born b/c, honestly, I was tired of the fur and cleaning the litter box (never a good place for it either) and the extra expense.  He enjoyed her company and kept telling me no.  I tried again after Caroline was born but he only agreed if we knew the person that took her...I got the reason why but at the same time...NO ONE we knew wanted her (not cat people, had the pets they wanted, etc etc - the list went on).  I wanted to re-home her before moving but it didn't happen.  She became a "basement cat" when we moved b/c I was tired of not knowing what she did or was on (table, counters, etc) while we slept.  Plus with boxes and stuff out, who knows what she would have done.  Plus I was tired of having all doors shut to keep her out.  Some say that's mean but our basement is finished and I think she enjoyed it down there....her own space, dark, and away from a lil munchkin that got in her face. :)  She did well until a few months ago when Ron wasn't going down there at night (she got to the point where she didn't want anything to do with me...even though I was the one that fed her and cleaned her litter box...) and she started shedding, we could tell she was stressed/anxious/unhappy, started throwing up/hairballs (I know...nasty, right?) and I had enough and told Ron it wasn't fair to her and we NEED to find her a new home this time.  He agreed (after some reasons I'll leave out for the sake of making anyone throw up that is reading this) and I went to Facebook and messaged a few friends and went to the pet pages.  I got a LOT of negativity and one page I was jumped all over for wanting to re-home a cat after 6 years.  Needless to say I left that group....you'd be shocked to see what some said to me...very hurtful.  I prayed about it  more and more and after about a week (I think) I had someone asking question after question about her (yes!).  We made "arrangements" that changed a million times but also had 2 others in the meantime ask about her.

She is now back in Mercer County with a family with 3 kids and another cat.  Apparently last night was a little rough - haven't heard since...but storms don't help.

I'll admit - and told Ron I may be insensitive or whatever but - I am happy she is elsewhere...I don't have to worry about things, no "arguing" who's cleaning the litter box, did I feed her today?, the basement stays clean and there's not black "spots" (fur) everywhere and for the sake of my family (several are allergic to cats) they can enjoy their visits now.  I could do a LOT in the basement today that I haven't been able to since we moved in.  Caroline also enjoyed playing down there without a cat.  In fact, we told her yesterday kitty was going bye byes and living with another family and she walked away - not caring.  Yes, she's 2 and some would say she doesn't understand....but she's smart.  She gets it....but she never had a connection with Zelda.  Caroline now has toys downstairs for when I need to go down there, she can tag along and play (even though she insists on helping mommy no matter what it is!).  I don't have to worry about her going in the laundry room behind me and stepping in something or getting too close to the litter box.

Zelda was a good cat while we had her.  She was a little crazy at times....but overall a good cat.  She hunted bugs here (many dead stinkbugs, spiders, and even a cricket).  But we weren't the right family for her.  I know after she adjusts she'll be happy where she is now.  She has a playmate, 3 kids, and 2 adults that like to snuggle with cats.  She has an attitude but what cat doesn't??

So, while some may think and say that re-homing a cat after 6 years is mean and they feel bad for the cat - that's fine, you think that, but please, think about WHAT you are saying before you say it.  Plus this was a FAMILY decision between Ron and I.  Had we wanted the world's opinions, we would have asked.  Zelda was never our "child" like some treat their pets.  That's fine if you do, but that's not how we saw her...she was a pet.  I'm sorry if that offends someone.

Like I said....this wasn't "appropriate" for social networking sites...I got enough negativity to last me awhile when I posted about finding her a new home...even from friends.