Moving fears, cat fears

[sabrinamari]

This move is unlodging alot of fears. I'm both feeling them and watching with interest as they rise and fall in turn.

The biggest ones are about Luna and Bast. They are old cats and have been with me forever. Luna is very attached to me, and Bast has hardly known anyone else as a major caregiver other than Ken and Shannon.

They are not easy cats, not playful kittens with few eccentricities. I might have found a possible home for Luna, but Bast is more difficult. I am repeatedly being turned back to the prospect of sending at least one of my cats to the next world, and I hate it.

I never intended to give up my responsibility and husbandry of these two members of my family, but in order to create a new family, I must find new places for the old---and decide their fates. Michael is seriously, seriously allergic to cats. Even the time required to dissassemble my exercise equipment causes him to fight off hives and breathing symptoms---this *with* medication.

I am grappling with the demon of putting one or more cats down; it's starting to interfere with my ability to sleep and rest.

If I could care for them, they could both stay on this plane for a little longer, despite their age and infirmities. I am willing to make many adjustments to help them live longer. But my new choices limit their options drastically.

It is hard to know what to do.

Although I am willing to send each cat to a new home with a generous monthly stipend, it's alot to ask of someone to adopt an old cat with issues, with the full knowledge that they will probably die soon. I'll be praying and reading and thinking alot on this one over the next few days.

Anytime the universe offers suggestions, I will be willing to hear them.

Comments

[warning-dca.livejournal.com]

Do NOT put them down. Take them to the SPCA - they are no kill, and they will find homes for your kities. 75 dollars per feline is all they ask.
I suggest newspaper ads, and craigslist as well.

I'm not sure what dad's living situation is right now, but maybe they could find a home with him though one of the pet transfer services out there. It's a thought.

If I could i'd take them, but we live with a dog - so i doubt that'd go over well.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

This is all good to know. What is a pet transfer service?

[warning-dca.livejournal.com]

pet transportation and shipping services take your pet, either via car or plane to it's destination. they are registered with the FAA as known shippers so that they may send the pets to and from different locations. they are commonly used by breeders and people making cross country and international moves.

it may take a bit of work to find one locally if you are looking for out of state or country moves, but i know they exist
;-D

[quiet-wyatt72.livejournal.com]

Talk to me first before you make any decisions about Bast. I want to discuss some options with Christy. I am not ready to say goodbye to either Luna or Bast, but there is no possibility of my taking in Luna--I would fear for the Chinchillas safety. Bast may be a different story. Let's talk.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Talking to you last night about this was a godsend---thank you. call me when you have made a decison.

Love you, honey!

[spookyhandle.livejournal.com]

Would getting them to MA be a possibility? I miss having pets, and have been thinking about getting a cat or a bunny or something. However, I've been putting it off, as I'm planning on leaving my 9-5 and pursuing my acting career, and getting a pet right now would be very irresponsible. However, if you're willing to care for them financially (which it sounds like you are), I'd be happy to feed and love them.

I'm having car issues that prevent me from making the trip down to you, but if bringing them up to me is a possibility, please let me know.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I would joyfully bring one or both to you and would provide both a monthly stipend (sort of a disability check) and money for vet bills.

Can you email me your phone number so that I can call you and tell you about each cat and the stipend? I may have only one cat to place---I don't know. My email address is sabri dot chase at verizon dot net.

[warning-dca.livejournal.com]

i travel to and from MA all the time to visit mom, if you want to be spared a journey maybe we could co-ordinate something

[warning-dca.livejournal.com]

I'm makign a trip this weekend or monday FYI, my numbers are 732 804 0033 and 609 628 3097.

Much love
~Me

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I will call you before the weekend---thank you!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

WOW!

[velvettnrbt.livejournal.com]

just out of curiosity... what are their health issues?

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Bast is very meowy and wants to snuggle alot. She will follow you meowing and demanding to be snuggled. She also tends to poop in front of the litterbox rather than inside of it. This annoys many people! She should be eating soft cat food with a stool softener in it, but she refuses the medicated food, so she has hard stools and this makes it difficult for her to poop.


Luna can be grumpy, although as she has aged she has become very affectionate. She likes to sit in your lap and have her head lightly petted, then jshe just wants to be left alone as she sits in your lap (although she likes being nuzzled on the forehead by noses and chins). She doesn't poop outside the litterbox, but both cats have occasionally peed outside of their boxes when upset, Bast more than Luna.

Both cats are declawed in the front and neither has spent time outdoors.

[travelingtim.livejournal.com]

Have you considered shaving the cats? No, seriously. Our Persian we had to practically shave to get rid of all her fur problems. She looked silly, but was otherwise fine.
I use to think I was allergic to cats but found it was the pollen outdoor cats got in their fur and I'm fine with our indoor cats. I have friends who are allergic to cat fur but are fine with short hair or hairless cats.

Also, my friend who is a hypnotherapist claims he has cured people of cat allergies in one to three treatments. Allergies are just an inappropriate immune response to something.

So, two relatively low cost things you can try: Cat hair removal and hypnotherapy.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I never thought of either of these things! Michael doesn't think they will make a big difference, but I am glad you told nme about the options.

[travelingtim.livejournal.com]

My wife is also skeptical about the shaving. My friend Lance is a professional hypnotherapist and swears he has cured allergies. His PhD is in neurolinguistics I think?

I can see if he can recommend anyone up there if it will help.

[siobhra.livejournal.com]

I live in a windowless room in a basement so I am not taking in any pets right now. I am still burdened with the guilt of my cats last days in there with me. However I have a real good HEPA room air filter that you can have until you find them a home or they pass on.
I will bring it to Turtle Hill this Saturday.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thank you, honey! I have a great HEPA filter and two smaller filters running at all times, though, so this won't be necessary. Michael is so sensitive that even with multiple HEPA filters and regular sweeping, the cats provoke big allergic reactions.

[onyxtwilight.livejournal.com]

*crossing my fingers for a better, viable option*

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thanks, honey!

[marccarlson.livejournal.com]

I wish you luck with it. I had to put my 18 year old cat to sleep a few years ago, and it was hard - but keeping her alive would have been even harder on her with the kidney failure and all. I hope you can find good home for them.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I am hoping that I can find a good solution for each of them that will allow them a year or so more of a happy life!

[bethan7827.livejournal.com]

I will take either or both. I will come and get them. You still have my work e-mail right?

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your willingness to help, especially because it represents a serious investment of time and energy. Luckily, both kitties have now found homes: Luna with a friend in MA and Bast with my brother in MI.

Thank you again...my cats are very important to me and your willingness to step up and help them mean alot.

[bethan7827.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I would have known that if I had read further. I tend to only check LJ in fits and bits. I went back to start, should do it the other way, but it disorients me. I hope you are well, and happy and have all the wonderful things you deserve. I may soon find myself in a situation with my bird. My friend is good with the cats, and willing to take responsibility for them, but does not get along with the bird at all.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I wanted to check in with you and ask how things were going with the search for a new home for your bird. Please forgive me if you have documented this on your LJ---I've been away from my Friends page fpr some time.

i was just wondering if you were OK or if this was a struggle---I', hoping for the former.