My husband, God love him, has
a strange reaction to other peoples’ cats. When he really (frequently) likes
them, he offers to take the animal(s) into our home if needed. I neither
encouraged this behavior nor made a big deal of it.
Until now.
The neighbor across the
street took him up on the proposal! They’ve had a dog for quite a long time, added
a cat around three years ago, then brought home a puppy. MacKenzie the cat and
this new little dude, apparently, fight a lot.
Like cats and dogs, as they
say.
Well, I cannot see this going
any direction but sideways. What if their daughter wants to visit all the time?
Kids stress me out. Even worse, should she not want to see her cat, that would
make me feel ill toward the child.
That’s not even addressing
how our geriatric gal Jezebel might react. Independent as that cat acts, it would be awful if she
went into permanent hiding.
“But you were quick in
willing to take in Dillon,” my husband noted.
I also had no clue that the
orange kitten dubbed ‘Styx’ came from a loving home. Meanwhile, this neighbor
acted insistent, as if kitty needed a new home immediately.
Well, as mentioned, I had to
be the bad guy. Since he sent my husband numerous text messages about this,
that’s how I replied, writing that the timing felt wrong (which is true). And at least hubby had a good proposal addressing their
issue.
For my part, I know puppies
grow up and generally calm down. What I asked this neighbor, as DH suggested,
is if MacKenzie has a high perch to which she can escape.
Upon first adopting her the
family declined to accept one of our tall cat trees by not replying. I could
only imagine the lady of the house didn’t want a bulky piece of carpeted,
slightly tattered furniture cluttering her home. What they could do, as TV show
host Jackson Galaxy would advise, is research consumer options. There are many,
such as impermanent window perches and even cat ‘shelves’.
 |
| Jackson Galaxy: Musician by Night; Cat Behavioralist by Day |
Have you ever watched “My Cat
From Hell”?
I'd pass on this too. You'd have family over to see the cat often. No. Just no.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day, Darla. Big hug. ♥
Thanks for the support!
DeleteHow old is the kid? Because kiddos individually are way different than kiddos in groups. I once "fostered" my brother's cat for a couple years (until his allergic MIL moved out), and it's not a bad thing, really. But I can see how you'd not want to do it.
ReplyDeleteShe's about twelve, and has been foisted on me before with unhappy results. Thanks for the commentary! I want a lifetime cat, anyway, if we adopt. Be well, my dear.
DeleteWhy is it always the cat that has to go? The puppy came after, that is unfair. I have seen My Cat From Hell. Jackson knows cats.
ReplyDeleteI agree on all counts. ~nods~ They need to make this work after having her most of her life, not pass her off for something new. Jackson is so cool! My parents couldn't get past his rock star rebellious looks. ~sigh~ They also never cared for cats.
DeleteIt is probably to early anyway even without the nagging questions you came up with. You need to grieve the loss of Tilly and doing it with a new cat is okay for some but I think not for you. I could be wrong but I don't think so. Personally it seems like to me that the new pup needs to be the one needing a new home, not the cat. Anyway...no I have not seen the cat from hell and really glad that my Lily Bit did not turn out to be one.
ReplyDeleteI greatly appreciate the endearing support. And rest assured my husband would be willing to take in Lily if need be! Heh... Best wishes, my dear.
DeleteHey....I am not giving my baby girl up!! haha....BUT if in need I do have one long hair tortie that is about 5 in need of a home inside. Skin issues with living out around fleas. OR TWO together 2.5 yr old barn cats that are so loving, sisters. Will meet you half way!!!!
DeleteWhat idiots, why would they do that to their cat, get a puppy then want to dump her? It happens so often, its just wrong and makes me cringe and want to strangle someone (hint: not the puppy).
ReplyDeleteI agree, and thought you would feel the same. ~hugs~ My husband worries that my reply made the neighbor angry and I could not care less.
DeleteNot just cats and dogs; from my experience of having many cats, even cats themselves can have adjustments issues. So they won't share the same chair to sleep on or they need food in different plates or bowls!
ReplyDeleteThey can be finicky, for sure, and they change habits just when you think you've figured them out. Heh... Be well!
DeleteOh mercy, I am very much with you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFor all the reasons you said. For just plain common sense.
Oh mercy!
Around here, I always seem to be "The Bad Guy"! -chuckle- Perhaps it's because I tend to see things, without lots of "shoulds" messing up decisions. And I tend to think of us first. Well why not? If we don't, no one else will!!!!
But others, will always take advantage of us, if we let 'em!
Seeee? *Hard-Hearted-Hannah*! That's me. -giggggles-
🍁🍂🍎🍂🍁
Yes, on all counts! Thank you for the support.
DeleteI've learned to say 'no', otherwise we'd be up to our armpits in cats! 'Our' cats are more important to the household than 'others'' cats, and having an old lady cat now, nothing is changing while she's still here. That was the promise that I made to her when we adopted her, but the times that I've wanted to cave in and take a proffered cat can be counted on all my finger and toes.
ReplyDeleteOh, I feel for you. ~hugs~ We have a responsibility to care for our furry loved ones the best we can and not provoke undue stress.
DeleteStick to your guns. or else insist that your husband tell them that if the cat goes to your home, it is now YOUR cat, and will not be rehomed, neglected, or fobbed off on someone else. It is your (you & hubby) PERMANENT cat. They have kissed it goodbye. They sound like a bunch of jerks anyway.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the support. I have mixed feelings about these folks. While good neighbors overall, the husband can be pushy. He once dumped their daughter on my unwilling self. It was for just a few hours, but I didn't appreciate the unwelcome intrusion upon my busy personal routine. Be well!
DeleteIt's awful that they want to get rid of their cat because they have a new puppy. There is nothing that would make me want to get rid of my cat - she's family! Stand firm! There was a series of My Cat From Hell on Sky TV here in the UK and I loved it, but it's not on at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kindly input! No word from the neighbor, positive or negative. Be well, my dear.
DeleteFirst ~ is that hubby in the pic? Not sure I have ever seen a pic of him. Next~ how are you doing? Next ~Are you doing a Halloween party this yr. I usually go to one, last yr two....this yr I know I should stay busy but I think I will turn lights off and close the curtains, and watch tv. Healing but still not healed and with the holidays coming up I feel the need to hide. SO NOT ME! But....upstairs in the closet is the clown outfit, the witch outfit and the Poison Ivy outfit, I just am not seeing the need to jump in and dress for a party.
ReplyDeleteActually, that is Jackson Galaxy. My husband looks like the computer geek he is. ~grin~ I feel you on parties right now. Stayed home today after planning to visit loved ones with my husband. Just couldn't make things happen and would rather stay home with Jezebel. Take care!
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