Be a post whore!

[Sundae]

I've said it before, but you might not have read it MTP.
When I lived in Leicester, I was not allowed a rescue cat/ cats.
Because I lived on a main road.
Even though there were two doors between my flat and the road. And I told them from the start I wanted an indoor cat because I had no secure outdoor space. NB - neither of my boys ever got onto the main road.

It's more common now, in fact the very charities that turned me down now put out Homes Needed notices for "indoor cat only".

But that's why I ended up with two pedigrees.
And because they were older I got them at a discount, and by the time I'd have paid all the fees and the obligatory donation there was only about £50 difference. And I was working then.

The breeder wouldn't have sold to me if she had a crystal ball.
Losing Dylan and leading Diz a rackety old life in other people's houses.
But she didn't and I didn't.
And there is no doubt my remaining boy loves the very bones of me, as I do him - in our different ways.
Physically it would probably still be kinder to give him up.
With my health problems and financial problems I am ill suited to a cat who may start showing signs of old-age soon.
But emotionally and in terms of having formed a bond, I know we would both be miserable apart.

And no, I don't think I am projecting. Cat used to follow me to work. He still follows me about the house. Warm fire and Mum's welcome arms and lap in the living room (she loves both her troubled charges) and he'd still rather sit on my lap in an unheated bedroom while I read. Although I admit I will often pull the duvet up over him. After our freezy time in the draughty Leicester flat his favourite place has always been snoozing on my legs with the covers drawn up over his head
And when I am away (3-5 days max) he hides in my room, comes down to eat, then hides again. He's been living here for ?4? years.

Sorry, none of that helps you.

Just sharing how I feel, in sympathy. A dog on a string sitting next to a busker can be happier and feel more secure than a dog who is scolded every time they walk across the kitchen floor with wet paws or is shut away in a garage with a Mercedes for company all day.

I'm just glad you have Della. And I'm so sorry you were able to form a bond and then have the chance taken away from you. And from Toby.

[DanaC]

A dog on a string sitting next to a busker can be happier and feel more secure than a dog who is scolded every time they walk across the kitchen floor with wet paws or is shut away in a garage with a Mercedes for company all day.

Absolutely. Dogs don't give a shit for luxury, cleanliness and good food. What they want and need is their pack. That pack can live anywhere. A dog that's loved and included in whatever your life is will be happy.

Cat used to follow me to work.

Hah! Out the house in Greenwich and down to the little art collective place?

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by infinite monkey

They should do something about those Amish puppies [snip] forget shock collars. They're electric!

And you can't even give the critters coffee to wake them up in the morn!
Or is that just Mormons?

Originally Posted by DanaC

Hah! Out the house in Greenwich and down to the little art collective place?

That's it. But Dylan, Diz and later Hely (because she had to stay at Steve's when I moved into the pub) all came under the yard gate, so their journey was even quicker than mine.

Diz would wait patiently by the backdoor to the workspace.
Hely had an abandoned cat's instinct. She creeped under the gates to and from the yard and sat by the front door to the office instead. She even knew my gait and would hear me from halfway down the street, meowing and bussing me on the legs.

I don't write about her often because we were in eachother's lives so briefly, and I know the home she went to was very loving. But I still hurt that I imprinted myself on a rescue cat and had to leave her because of Diz.