A byootaful Life

It’s been pretty quiet on this blog lately and it’s not because I’ve been lazy, or because I haven’t had anything to say – it’s actually been a pretty intense couple of weeks, filled with stress and worry and concern and lots of emails and phone calls… and tears. Lots of tears.

Two weeks ago, I received an urgent email from K, our friend who is looking after Puddy while we’re overseas. She told me that she could no longer look after Puddy because it’s been confirmed that one of her sons is allergic to her. She said she was sorry, but could we please find her a new home as soon as possible. I was shattered. We had known that there was the possibility that her son was allergic, but she’d had her for so long (about 8 months) that I’d assumed everything was fine. I definitely wasn’t prepared for this at all.

Immediately, Phill and I started calling and emailing everyone we knew who lived close enough to take her. We don’t have a lot of family in the area, so there were no Aunties or cousins we could give her to. I asked some girls from my work here in Canada, and they asked their friends in Australia. I knew that Puddy was okay for the moment, but I was aware that we needed to move her out as soon as we could. We didn’t want her son to suffer, but at the same time, we needed to make sure Puddy was safe and happy. We weren’t sure whether we’d find someone to look after her temporarily or permanently – we just needed to find someone who could help us. We figured we’d sort that out later.

A week went by with no progress. People offered to put out the word, gave us their well wishes and hoped that she’d be okay, but nobody could actually take her. I considered going home, but we just aren’t in the position to. I knew that there’d be a chance we’d have to give her away to a new forever home, because it was unlikely that a stranger would agree to look after our cat for us for another year and a half, then happily hand her back when we got home. I didn’t want that to happen but I was aware that we were very quickly getting into a difficult situation and we might be left with no choice.

After a week and a half had passed, I did something I really did not want to do. I started looking into animal shelters.

It was very difficult to do, but I felt I didn’t have a choice. I realised that we weren’t finding anyone and this couldn’t go on forever. Even though the shelters were 100% no kill (this was non-negotiable), I still felt terrible even considering them as an option – not because they were shelters, but because I felt that I had completely and utterly failed as a pet owner and animal lover. I found two in her area and sent off emails. They were long and passionate and explained the situation. It was probably longer than it needed to be, but I felt like I needed to really make them understand that this isn’t about an unwanted cat. I told her about her quirks and her character and how wonderful she is. I told them how upset I was that I was having to do this. I told them that I realised they probably got ten, twenty, thirty emails like mine everyday. I practically begged them to help us, as I was stuck and didn’t know what else to do.

I received responses almost immediately. Both shelters replied with encouraging words, promising to help in any way they could. They started looking for foster carers straight away. I kept K updated during this process, but it was mostly “we’re trying as hard as we can, thank you for being patient” emails. Not much reassurance for her or for us either.

Within a few days, both shelters had found someone who could take Puddy, but only one could take her straight away. They said their foster carer would go and pick Puddy up and look after her until they could find her a new forever home. I read their email and burst into tears.

A big part of me was very, very sad that I wouldn’t have Puddy anymore, but another part of me, a more realistic part, knew that this was what was best for Puddy. She couldn’t stay where she was anymore and this was a solution where I knew she was going to be safe and looked after and loved, and her new home would be screened, which is something I couldn’t do from over here. I wrote back with K’s details.

The next day, Puddy’s foster carer, M, picked her up from K’s house. K gave her food and all of Puddy’s belongings. M sent me a message saying that Puddy is settling in well. M also has a kitten and she said that Puddy didn’t like her initially but I’m hoping she will warm to her (or at least tolerate her!). I did give them a heads up that she hasn’t lived with another animal before, so it might take a while for her to get comfortable. She said that Puddy has been coming out of her “safe room” for head bumps and snuggles, so that is a good sign. They are going to let me know once she goes to her forever home. They’ve told me not to worry, that she is safe and happy.

I still feel awful. I’ve talked this whole process over with Phill and my friends and even though everyone tells me I did the right thing, what was best for Puddy and everyone involved, I still feel like I’ve let her down. I only agreed to come to Canada once I knew she was being looked after. We’d had a hard time finding someone to take her, so that’s why we were so relived when K offered to. She was with K for about 8 months, one month of which was while we were still in Australia so she could settle in, and I figured everything was fine. I forget that things happen, and things change.

So that’s why I’ve been pretty quiet. There’s not much to say when you’re trying to find your cat a new home from another country. It’s stressful, horrible and worrying. I’m relieved it’s all over but there’s still a part of me that is very upset and that won’t just go away quickly. I’m going to miss her like crazy, but I also realise that she is going to be just as funny and quirky with her new family.

This was hardest thing I’ve ever had to do and this decision is going to stay with me for a long time.