Conference misery::feline

    Sometimes the older animal needing a home is beyond our control.  My
    mom is 77, in poor health and has a dog and cat. (They are both young
    now, but what happenes if mom goes and the animals are also tht much
    older?)  I cannot integrate another cat into my home, and a toy poodle
    is at a serious disadvantage with a real dog. (anthing over 60 pounds
    to her three)
    
    meg

    It is very sad that any person has to give up their pets...but
    after volunteering at an animal shelter for many years, I can
    honestly say that there are many more people giving up their
    animals for "stupid" reasons vs those who do have a legitimate
    reason.  And I do agree that sometimes giving up your pet is
    the ONLY options.  Stupid reasons:
     
      o  we're moving can't take them with us.
      o  my kids wanted a kitten, but now that the cat has grown 
         up we have no use for him,
      o  she keeps getting pregnant...we don't know why 
      o  the litterbox smells
      o  I just had a baby
      o  we can't afford her 
      o  and so on
     
    In my opinion all the above are stupid because these are all items
    the person should have thought of before they got the animal.
    
    I do agree with the base noter that it is exceptionaly hard to
    read stories of people trying to find homes for their older pets
    that have lived with them for 10-14 years.  Ya just know that wherever
    that animal ends up...it will under alot of stress and you hope
    they can still be happy and healthy.
    
    Sandy
     

Odd, I was talking about the same stuff at the weekend with a 
friend.  I was saying - nothing against those who have to 
rehouse animals, though some do so for what I consider 
reasons that at the least should prompt them to consider
having a goldfish next time.  Though I must confess my childhood
goldfish have now been rehoused, aged about 12 with my brother
- how old do goldfish live to?! I seem to have a knack with 
animals, my gerbils which stayed at home when I went to 
college were incredible too...  the alpha male spent his 
whole life bonking his partner and daughters, produced
loads of baby gerbils, and eventually had a happy retirement
in a 3 foot fish tank half filled with sawdust on his own
and lived to something ridiculous like 8 years when the 
books say 3-5. 

My feelings as far as the cats go though were closer to 
the first notes tone - I *couldn't* rehouse my girls. 


Lucy has seen me through hard times, her and Belle helped 
keep me together as much as the prozac did when I was quite 
ill with depression last year. I couldn't feed myself but 
I knew they were 100% dependant on me and had to feed them, 
which meant I did something each day at least - something
that small can be a great achievement when you're really ill
- not to mention the companionship they gave me - not only 
the normal friendship, but especially when I didn't feel 
fit any more to see other people, even family, they were 
always there and never once told me to cheer up or not 
worry - they just nuzzled purred and curled up close. 

Knuffie is a delight and being a rescue kittie who nearly 
died of flu it would  feel particularly cruel to rehome her
as I feel she's had her share of bad bits and I promised her
it'd all be ok from here on in - though I suspect she'd be 
happy enough in a good home - she's so sociable.. In fact 
my lodger is moving to his own house and keeps threatening to 
take her with him :-) I think it's love. 

I would do whatever I could to keep them whatever else happens 
in my life, and that means keeping them in a condition that's 
fair on them too - so no big woofie doggies even if I do ever
end up with time for one, cause unless i work on Lucys 
confidence lots more she'd be petrified - she's such a wuss. 

Jo.

    
    Should I ever be unable to care for my cats, I have made arrangements
    for someone I know and trust to take them, with the necessary financial
    support so that will never be an issue.  It's a good thing they don't
    want to go to college...
    
    len.
    

    >                                        It's a good thing they don't
    >want to go to college...
    
    
    you are fortunate. THE FIRM all insisted on law school. :-)
    
    Deb

>    Should I ever be unable to care for my cats, I have made arrangements
>    for someone I know and trust to take them,

Thanks for reminding me to talk to my brother about how my 
will (heck I'm only 30!) asks my brother to take my girls. 

As for schools.... 
I think Belle would want finishing school in Switzerland, 
Lucy would go for just a cordon bleu (or is that cordon mieu) 
training course for me and Knuffie'd probably just want to do 
karate or tai kwon do evening classes. (and the rabbits'd
bunk off whatever school they went to and spend their 
pocket money in Soho). 

    About a year and a half ago I took in an 11 yr. old kitty.  He has
    kidney disease and had never officially had a real home - just foster
    homes.  He ended up living at my vets where I found him (or I should
    say, he found me!).  I decided to take him home.  He integrated easily
    into a household of 6 pampered females.  They all took to him
    immediately.  I sure they were happy to have a "man" in the house.  I
    have adopted him and love him dearly.  If I had the space, I would take
    in an older cat again with no hesitation.  I found that this little
    guy, Caeser is his name, is so sweet and wonderful and I wouldn't give
    him up for any reason.  In the future, I would probably prefer to take
    in older cats.  As much as I love kittens, it's the older ones who
    truly need help.
    
    I have found having Caeser to be truly rewarding.  I can't tell you how
    great it feels to come home and find him waiting on the counter with his 
    little handsome face watching for me.
    
    Donna
    

Miss Nosey was a gift I gave to my elderly friends on Christmas of '86.  She captured 
their hearts and for nearly ten years, she gave them pleasure.  She became the center 
of their lives and her well-being was their primary concern.  When they moved to a 
retiree apartment complex it was on the condition that Nosey could accompany them.  
It was a new complex and their precedent made it possible for other cat owners to
take along their pets.

It was understood at the outset that I was Nosey's appointed guardian.  Although I
don't believe this was written, her owners' son and a number of friends were made
aware of it.  I was honored that these people would entrust their beloved pet in my care. 

Sadly, Nosey's "dad" passed away 2 years ago and kitty was very upset.  When his 
grandaughter came to visit her grandmother shortly thereafter, Nosey lay on his bed 
and would not let her sleep there.  Never a real lap kitty, Nosey began to spend 
more time with her "mom" and started to jump in her lap and ask to be brushed and 
petted.  Last June her "mom" passed away and Nosey came to live with me.
Her transition to the new household has been remarkable.  She spent most of the first 
few weeks at the top of the stairs (a new experience.) with her head in her paws.
But, she quickly began to accept her new home.  (Of course, she brought along her
own living room set and her "mom's" bedspread so there is a sense of her former home.
She spends sometime each night curled up on the bedspread that I placed on the bed
in the guest room.) She loves to be brushed and is a devoted television lap kitty.  She has 
certainly stolen my heart.  She still writes to her friends at the retirement community 
when I have time to help her.  (This is an important bond for the dear people who have 
lost both their human friend and contact with the kitty they came to love.)

Yes, an older kitty must have a financial provision.  Miss Nosey may never go to college,
but she goes to Tufts Univ. for medical care.  In November she was diagnosed with a 
hyperthyroid, and radiotherapy plus related medical expenses has hit close to $2,000. 
This could easily be a financial drain for the caring foster parent.  Nosey's medical
expenses are provided for so I can make reasonable medical decisions for her without 
concern for the cost.  


Linda

    What a wonderful story!  How lucky both Miss Nosey and you are.
    

    
    Hello, can anyone offer any tips for introducing and older cat into
    my existing 'herd' of two indoor only cats?  I live with  a 7-8 year old
    male coon (Stevie Ray Cat) and a 2.5 year old very emotional and
    jealous, female tuxedo (Layla)  both are neutered.  Layla concerns me
    more, seems she thinks of me as her pet.
    
    	John

                    <<< Note 1070.10 by WRKSYS::CALABRIA >>>

    
 >   Layla concerns me
 >   more, seems she thinks of me as her pet.
    
    	John


	Don't they all ;-)

    John...
    
    Your note surprised me...do you already have an older cat in
    mind or are you just thinking about adding a new kitty to your
    furry family???    If your in the thinking stage...please read
    my note 4.1016 (Vito..very non-aggresive male kitty)
    
    I find it all depends on your cats and the cat you are bringing in.
    I have had some VERY simple introductions where the new cat just
    walks in and joins the crew and I have had some difficult introductions
    where it took alot of time and patience.
    
    By your note it sounds like Stevie Ray would probably enjoy the
    company and Layla might have a little jealous hissy fit.  The key
    for Layla is to give her LOADS of attention during the introductions.
    
    To start...I would keep the kitty in the carrier and just let your
    two cats start the sniffing process. You will probably hear hissing
    and a bit of growling..but do not over-react and let the cats do
    what is natural.  From there...you will immediate know if you
    can let the new cat out...or if he should be confined for awhile.
    
    For difficult introductions...there are many ideas in the notesfile
    to try...but I think in most cases it always works out but you have
    to be calm, give alot of love and have patients.  
    
    Sandy 
    

    John -
    
    what older cat do you have in mind?  And what about that little baby at
    Pat Brody's?  She seemed pretty attached to you the other day.
    
    Gita