A couple of months ago I gave my two cats, Midge Ure and Ripley, to a new home.
It was a very tough decision for me and one that I had been struggling with for months prior.
I won't go into too much detail, but I just wanted to acknowledge that da boys are gone.
Up till now, my boys had been just that - my boys. They helped me feel less alone on those days when I was sick of coming home to an empty house and wanted somebody's love and affection.
But over time, things changed - I've changed. And I don't know if the decision to adopt was part of my reason for making this choice. I suspect it played a factor.
I still miss those two crazy cats. I miss them sleeping under my bed. I miss walking through the door and having them sitting there, waiting to greet me. I miss having Midge attack my bare toes every morning as I brushed my teeth. I miss Ripley flopping down right in front of me as I walked down the stairs. I miss their meows as I prepared their food. I miss Midge's back talk whenever I asked him to 'come' so I could close a bedroom or bathroom door behind me. I miss Ripley reaching his paw out to touch me as I walked by the cat tree. I miss laffing out loud at their antics and wrestling matches. I miss silently shaking my head as they tore full steam around the house like a couple of crazy kids.
The family that adopted them are a young couple with two young kids. They brought their little boy over to see the cats before they accepted them. I am proud to say they were very well behaved. I couldn't have been prouder of them for patiently tolerating the little guy's clumsy strokes and high pitched squeals of excitement. And for coming when I called them back the few times he was too much for them and they retreated to the basement.
I will always love them, but I know I made the right decision. And I know they are in a good home where they will be be very active and happy. Their new mom informed me they have settled in nicely, they are behaving as if they have always lived there, and they are exhibiting their usual behaviours and individual charactistics/habits.
I still have moments of guilt - mostly because I failed them. But I don't feel like 'oh, I can't commit to my cats, why do I think I can commit to a kid?' or anything like that. I realize it's two different things. And I am grateful to those of you (family & friends) who shared your personal thoughts & experiences with me and let me know you don't think any less of me for making this choice. That meant a lot.
selam
