Cat Tales

Not sure if I ever mentioned it, but we are the owners of two cats. I've had the cats longer than I've been married, and they've always been really nice feline friends. They've always been very friendly and cuddly lap cats.

But then recently, they started doing some unmentionable things around the house. I believe that they started "acting out" because they used to have full reign over the house...that is, until the dog arrived a couple years ago. We also found out that Cody has sensitivities to cat dander, and so we knew we had to do something.

I finally hit my patience threshold last week, when one of the cats decided that the litterbox was in the basket with the clean laundry. It was definitely time for them to go. I just couldn't take it anymore. I spent most of Wednesday calling around the area trying to find a suitable place for these two cats to go. I found a no-kill shelter who promised to keep the cats together and take good care of them.

I was fine until they escorted us into a room to say good-bye yesterday. The guilt I felt for doing this to them after all the time they'd spent with us was overwhelming. I know they're just cats. But they've been OUR cats. Caden said, "bye-bye kitties," and with that, they were gone.

We answered a barrage of questions and finally it was time to leave with our empty cat carriers. I pulled it together in time to get Cody off the bus, and he hardly mentioned the cats. I think that he forgot what we were doing that day.

Then, before bed, he walked into the bathroom where we kept their food, water, and litterbox. As soon as Cody saw the food sitting there, and no cats, he lost it. We both dissolved into a heap of tears on the bathroom floor. I couldn't hold it in anymore.

I know. If you're not a cat lover this probably seems a bit foolish. But I feel an odd sort of emptiness with them not with us anymore. Once again, the guilt of what they were doing, how they were feeling, and questions of whether or not we did the right thing were swimming in my emotional mind.

I still worry about them, even as I sit here. Are they scared? Have they calmed down? Are they being treated well? Will they find a good home, or will they live out the rest of their days in cages?

For now, I have to believe that some nice people will soon welcome Max and Peachy into their home, and that they'll bounce back to themselves (minus the unmentionable behaviors, of course) in no time.

Thanks for reading this post. If you're not a cat-lover, I especially thank you. :-)