I have three cats. My living situation is changing dramatically in a couple of months and my brother and SIL and their kids are all in love with my cat Bertram (and who wouldn’t be? He’sadorable), so they jumped at the opportunity when I said I could leave Bertram with them.
I need to do it, and it’s a great fit for Bertram and for his new people. He LOVES attention and tolerates kids. They really want a cat. I need to give away a cat.
It’s win-win-win.
So why do I feel so sad?
It’s the right thing to do and it’s breaking my heart.
At least it’s your brother and not a stranger. Hopefully that implies you know he’ll treat your cat well, and at least you get visitation rights. He looks like a surprising good sport in your second pic too, doesn’t look like he holds grudges.
Because you are a good pet owner, and you’re doing the right thing. It’s never easy, but I applaud you for thinking of what’s best for you kitty. I know how you feel. We moved to an apartment a few months ago and I had to leave my cat behind with my mother, and it broke my heart. He was used to playing outside in the country with five dogs as playmates, and moving to an apartment in the city would have been hell for him. I cried on and off for a week, but it was better for him, and he was happy. Hang in there, I promise it’ll be ok and you can always visit him! That’s what I do!
At least you can get pictures? Maybe it’s a way for you to keep in touch with the kids. You don’t say how old they are, but for kids of a certian age it might be fun for them to keep Aunty jsgodess in the loop on how Bertram is doing.
You did the right thing. I know it’s hard, I had to do it when my living circumstances changed 8 years ago. Hopefully (as I’ve been following your story) it turns out as well for you as it did for me, because you totally deserve it.
Ha! This may seem silly, but have you considered Skype? It’s free to video chat. Whenever I’m really missing my baby I’ll chat with my mom and she’ll set her laptop on the floor, I’ll call his name, and it never fails he comes running looking for me too! He usually ends up sniffing the laptop and laying on the keyboard! It always makes me feel a ton better, why not bring it up with your SIL?
Absolutely make use of Skype, I love keeping in touch with my parent’s dog through it. Well done on making a really tough decision that was in the best interests for your pet.
Well, Bertram now belongs to someone else. My other two cats are being boarded while I’m away (I leave tomorrow), so I’m alone in my house for the first time since 1995. Wow.
I was afraid to open this thread for the longest time, because like you I’m an old sap. What a relief it was to hear Bertram (beautiful!) is going from one loving home to another!
Many moons ago (1996; I got my first dumplings in 1995 too) I moved from NYC to Japan for a year, and my dumplings stayed behind with the boyfriend. There was no Skype then, but whenever we spoke on the phone, he would put the cats on. Hearing purring from some 5,000 miles away was wonderful.
Growing up, my stepmonster hated cats, so we never had one. I turned out fine ( :D) but my brother and sister still don’t really think of cats as pets. Your giving Bertram to your bro’s family could go a long way toward ensuring future generations of cat/animal lovers. Pets can have such a huge influence on children; you’ve given them a wonderful gift. And Bertram will always be loved and cherished, I bet.
I’m sorry, Cat Whisperer. I didn’t see this question.
Bertram is home as of a few minutes ago and, honestly, there isn’t a plan b. I’ve apparently, unbeknownst to me, been involved in a power struggle with my SIL over whether they were going to return the cat. She changed her mind after my brother called me and told me he was in danger, then my brother told me that my SIL thinks cats kill babies by smothering them or stealing their breath.
