posted 02-14-2004 07:37 PM         

To make a long story short, a friend of mine is unemployed and has to move and he can't take his cat with him because he is afraid he will end up homeless at some point and wants to get the cat a good home now, while he still can. He doesn't want to end up in a position where he CAN'T get him a good home, you know?

So he has asked ME to find the poor guy a home. I got him the cat to begin with. We both love the little guy to death. He is less than 2 years old and a GREAT cat. A ton of personality and very smart.

But he has lived alone in an apartment with my friend all of his life and he is very shy of people because of it. He has had no contact at all with other animals. He really needs a person to be home with him if at all possible, so I don't think my home would be a good option - besides there is the whole dog-chasing-cats issue here.

So now I am trying to figure out what to do, and Blanco (dog that didn't work out with us) has still not found a home (I am hoping the shelter worker who is fostering him and is very bonded with him will just decide to keep him) and my friend wants to leave in the next couple of days.

I think I am going to get an ulcer soon.

posted 02-15-2004 08:24 AM         

It sounds like you feel a little obligated to help because you got him the kitty in the first place. Jamiya, I know you have a full plate not to mention a wounded heart! So I wonder if perhaps you could give him suggestions of what you would do to try and find a home for the cat, and allow him to take care of it himself. Just explain what you've been through lately, and I'm sure he'll understand.

posted 02-15-2004 08:49 AM         

But I do feel responsible. I love this cat and it is my fault he is in this situation. We adopted him as a kitten and that was his best chance of finding a good home. At the time, my friend had a good job and I was unaware of all the "issues" that means he can't really function in life, and until he admits it and gets himself help it will never get better.

Ugh. I will do the best I can, but I might have to just get him in with one of the local rescue groups that fosters cats, if they have room. I can't do anything in a day, though, so he will just have to postpone his trip.

posted 02-15-2004 09:31 AM         

Cat's are hard to place, that's the bummer about it! even in recues, as thier are so many. But maybe you'll be smiled on, and get lucky! I hope...

posted 02-18-2004 10:00 AM         

So the cat is in the apartment for now. I am stopping by to take care of him. If I can't find him a home or foster home by the 29th, I will have to bring him to my home, I guess.

My friend never made it to his destination, though. He car broke down less than halfway there and he doesn't have money to get it fixed. In fact, he doesn't have much left at all. It was very hard, but I refused to bail him out this time. His poor decisions and failure to ask for help or advice (or listen when it is offered) have landed him in the soup AGAIN and he needs to experience the consequences.

Makes me feel a lot better about how my own children are turning out. The mistakes I have made along the way (and the ones I will make in the future) seem hardly important in comparison.

Besides, there's nothing I can do. I am leaving very early Friday morning for the weekend to visit my grandparents. Grandma is not doing well and my mother is going to be there this weekend also and it is going to be a tense, awful situation. Grandpa is not accepting what is going on very well. So really, my plate is very full and I am trying to not feel selfish saying that.