Last week we went to visit my parents. They live a few states away and Abigail has become a total road warrior. We had a wonderful time, BUT...
We left our kitty there.
I have such mixed feelings. Maggie was our first "baby" and she was my constant companion. J was often deployed and I loved having someone to say hello and goodbye to. We had considered getting a pet, but were hesitant. One day our neighbors knocked on the door and said they'd found a kitten and did we want her? I walked over to their house and they had washed her and rubbed peppermint oil all over her! She was adorable!!! I fell in love and brought her home that moment.
But Maggie's a complicated cat. She's social- she wants to be around people- but not social enough- she gets scared and acts defensively. Every morning she'll sweetly lay on my chest and purr while I pet her, but when she's had enough she doesn't walk away- instead she bites the heck out of me. We don't feel we can trust her with Abigail, and so she's on vacation at my folks.
25 comments:
Aw I'm sorry :( We've had 3 cats come and go for various reasons since we were married. It's always sad.
Lauren, that breaks my heart . . . Maggie misses you too!
But she is warming up to me and her new life and is happy that I'm back from my retreat.
If you want, we can bring her back in July. But she is doing just fine and we are taking good care of her. Love ya!! MOM
I love those pics (though I think you should have included the one of Mags in the diaper)!
uh, that last comment was Annie
Lauren, I def. think you made the right decision. I love my dogs like nobody's business BUT if I ever felt like I couldn't trust them...well off they'd go. Toddlers and animals are really tough together. You may very well be able to bring Maggie back when Abigail is bigger...unless you have another toddler:)
Awwww, I'm sorry. But she is in good hands (we did the same thing with out cat recently, who went to live with a veterinarian!). Cute pictures!
I feel your pain! My cat went to live with my parents when I moved into our house before our wedding. Mr JB is horribly allergic so my choice was made for me. I cried for days and I miss her all the time.
So sorry that you're feeling down, but you can always visit, right?
Aw, pets make such a contribution to our lives!! I miss my Maggie too (a miniature dachsund who passed away several years ago). But I agree, even if your kitty doesn't mean to harm those bites can be awfully infectious. My niece loooooves animals and it seems like we're always having to protect her from animals who just don't appreciate her "love" (i.e. squishing them until they can't breath or chasing them into a corner ;)).
Your pics cracked me up. It looks like Maggie was such a sweet cat (ours on the other hand...well he now lives outside!) Thankfully she's at your parents so you'll see her again soon!
Awwww, I'm sad for you, but you know she's in good hands and you'll be able to visit! Love the pictures!
Know how you feel. I had to give up my cats when I had to move back home. I always intended to get Scout back for Grandma and Grandpa- but I met Jeff and married him, and he is allergic. :( Just know Maggie is probably happy and well taken care of! You did the right thing.
Sarah
Oh, I feel your pain. The kitty that we adopted in 2002 -- our first baby, too -- disappeared in February and I'm just heartsick about it.
At the same time I'm grateful not to have to do the litterbox anymore. :-/
I feel horrible when I think that, though, and I miss my cat terribly.
I hope Maggie enjoys her new home!
Your Maggie sounds a lot like our Smokey....purr, purr, purr....pounce and bite. We keep talking about finding him a new home, but haven't yet in part because of our kids reaction to it. Our oldest daughter (age 5 1/2) said that we adopted Smokey and we can't just get rid of him because he is not always nice. It's as if she feels like finding a new home for a tempermental cat threatens her own sense of security in our home and nothing we have said has been able to change that. (She's our child who struggles with some deep abandonment issues from her own 1st year of life.) Our son (age 5) is always saying how much he loves Smokey. So....Smokey remains in our home for now, but I feel like a broken record saying "Watch out. Don't pet Smokey too long. If you're going to pet him, watch to see if his ears start going back as that means he's had enough." So...I know you mis Maggie, but I think it's good that you made the decision you did now while Abigail is still really young.
Aww, I'm sorry you're hurting! We did the same thing! Dumped our cat on my mom! Mine was a pain in the rear too, so fortunately I didn't miss her too much!
my cat is great with kids and I would love to get rid of him. Though he was my first baby and I love him, the hair is driving me nuts now that Alana is mobile and eating everything she finds on the floor! argh!
Such a sweet dedication to your first! My first, luckily, could be caged after Toddler arrived on the scene. And, he is needed to get her out of herself and in a good mood so I am very, very lucky. But, now that he is caged I have to change is cage every single day and even 2 times a day! So, while its more work I consider it the only "cure" for my only childness.
Pets are part of our families. And, I think you truly loved your sweet kitty. She probably enjoys the break away!
oh so sad! I"m so sorry!
I hope you can bring her back home when Abigail is a little older!
Tough love decision, but the right one for now & for Abigail.....does she notice that Maggie is gone? And yeay for your mom who is loving on your kitty cat and keeping her safe, loved and snug!
Where is Maggie picture with her white bow? :)
Blessings to you and your family!
I completely understand where you are coming from. We too had to make that heart wrenching decision to give up the "Kitty in our life" when the first baby joined our family. She was social but very possessive of me. She was not a "kid" cat at all. We have had kittens join our family since then and when enough time has passed I would suggest considering getting another Miss Kitty - maybe a half grown one from the human society. Young enough to be able to adapt to your family but old enough not to be easily frightened or accidentally hurt by the baby!
Blessings to you all!
Christi mum212 aka ourbakersdozen
Beautiful cat; beautiful baby.
I'd like to invite you to participate in Sunday Snippets-A Catholic Carnival which is a weekly opportunity for Catholic bloggers to share their best post with each other. This week's edition is at http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com/2011/06/sunday-snippets-catholic-carnival_11.html
Your blog has been quiet lately. I miss you!
Somehow I missed this post! Rehoming a pet is so difficult. :( I'm glad you will still get to see her when you visit family.
where are you? I have been checking everyday for a new post!
Love ya!
Sarah
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