October 23, 2008
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rejuvenation.
working 15-hour days (between the many “hats” i wear) leaves little room for down time. i’ve taken great care (and am happy to do so) to get everything done for others; i just haven’t given myself the same courtesy.
yesterday, (at husband’s suggestion) i decided to put it all on hold for an evening of relaxation. a full night of no internet. no phone. no husband. no work. no chores.
as i drove home, i imagined the many ways i could laze around: a nap was a definite. there were a few shows to catch up on. oooh! i could take a bubble bath! the possibilities for selfishness were endless.
as i put the car in park and walked up to my front door, thoughts of naps and selfishness melted away when i saw him:
i had seen him around before, but never paid much mind. our neighborhood is full of strays and ferrels, but this one was different — he was domesticated (how do i know? the collar and declawed paws kind of give it away).
*stands on soapbox*
we’ve noticed a surge in domesticated animals roaming aimlessly in our complex. (it is against neighborhood policy to have an “outdoor” pet, btw) sometimes, their owners move and leave the pet behind. others simply decide they can’t afford it, tossing it out to battle the elements. this lack of compassion, concern and overall goodwill frustrates me. if you take on the responsibility of another life, either TAKE CARE OF IT or FIND IT A DECENT HOME.
*steps off soapbox*
my night of ME was instantly put on hold.
food and water was set out, and within seconds, he came up for a meal. and as he brushed his purring, shivering body against my legs in appreciation, i started to cry.
i sat with him for almost an hour before deciding to go inside. i guess he wanted to come, too.
unfortunately, that wasn’t an option. i’ve got a sick kitty of my own — one who wouldn’t take well to house guests.
(“mommy, why is my food outside? who is THAT? why are you loving on him?”)still, i couldn’t do nothing.
i took a few pictures and made a “FOUND” flier. i called the front office to report him (they usually have all animals on file); they’re looking into it. if he’s still around today, i’ll call the city to see about shelter options.
all in all, it was a much more fulfilling way to spend my evening … and you know what? i’m fairly rejuvenated this morning.
bring it on, world! i’m ready to attack you once again.
Comments (40)
poor kitty.
Awww such cute kitties! I commend you for taking care of the stray. Most people would just let him fend for itself. My kitty was a stray before I housed him, and he’s the cutest thing ever! I love him to pieces, even when he’s a little beasty beast.
Have a good day!
I’ll admit it, I’m not what you would call an animal lover. But this is heartbreaking, even to someone like me. I’m glad you’re feeling better this morning!
Oh, and I dig the new layout!
awww now that was really sweet and compassionate of you, and I’m glad it helped you feel rejuvenated.
Awwww… I would try to find his home by Halloween if possible! He’s black… and well…
Awww. he’s a cutie. I wish I could take him in. I hate when people abandon there pets! I even have stray dogs roaming around my nieghborhood! Sucky, sucky people
Yeah, people are pretty ridiculous when it comes to animals. I’m an animal lover and I truly believe that pets become part of the family. When people mistreat them or leave them behind. I really hope you find the kitty’s home!
You are such a caring person-I don’t think I would have been able to leave him without doing anything either. Just think you could make someone very happy by making those found posters. Have you thought about putting an ad in the paper? (we have a found pets section in our metro paper.)
Awwww. We just took in a stray kitten that had been dumped/abandoned. There’s no way we could leave it out there. Thank you for being compassionate.
How convenient that you had a soap box to step up onto! I always use jugs these days and usually have to do a toilet stand for my big speeches. Anyway, please send my cat back to my house immediatly…he’d been hinting for weeks that he wanted to come visit you but I really didn’t think he’d do it. And if he’s still there when you get there…give him some Jess lovin’!
awww. How cute that little kitty is!!!!!!!!! Sad that you couldn’t take him on as another member of the household. But I totally understand that. Good for you for putting interest into his well being. I would have done the same thing!! Let us know how it turns out!
a day off, and now you’re a world-attacker… hm. i need a day off, then.
dont attack me, im innocent!!! and ill take the kitty, but my dogs would massacre it, so forget i mntioned it…
Awww, you are such a good person for that. Other people, especially on the precipice of a night to themselves, would not have payed any mind to the poor kitty.
Aww, you’re awesome, Jen! =]
@deathtothenewworldorder - he was absolutely adorable. @StewieIsMyHero - thank you! hopefully we’ll be able to get him back where he belongs … @Hathaway_Lane - THANK YOU!! @SnuggleBug2008 - it was such an unexpected, but WELCOME happening … @Papillon_Mom - i’m sure someone would snap him up fast! @EndlessCycleof_Me - we’ve had a few dogs around here as well. one guy a few doors down actually took in an about-to-be-abandoned lab last year — good people are everywhere! @TheCheshireGrins - i’ll send him to you?
@buckeyegirl31 - i think the paper posting would be my last resort, but a definite possibility … great suggestion! @amyunicorn - i really wish i could have taken him in, but i’m doing all i can in other ways. 
@jediwa72 - AHA! mystery solved — putting him in a box and sending him your way … 
@mynewlife1126 - i definitely will! @TheBigShowAtUD - LOL! @TheRadnessQueen - oooh, what kind of dogs do you have? @AlterEgo909 - thank you. btw, i love your new profile picture! @o_Dirty_Blonde_o - gracias!!
@BarelyJen - I think my boyfriend may shoot me if I bring another living thing into our apartment. It’s bad news
Awww
your cat is a Xanga star now…
I could have totally written a very similar post. Although we don’t live in a neighborhood with such rules, there are a lot of stray kitties and one in particular (black and white) is a ferrel. He was born outside and left to fend for himself but the mother kitty had to have come from somewhere! And she obviously wasn’t spayed like she should be! But black/white kitty is SO sweet. If my husband knew I was feeding him he’d probably kill me (we already have two kitties and don’t need another) but I want to bring him in so badly! Everyday he greets me when I come home from work. Rubbin’ on my ankles and laying on his back reaching his paws into the air screaming “hold me!” so I do and he loves all of my face (I even get eskimo kisses!)… and then he goes on about his business. I think he knows I can’t take him but that I still love him. I haven’t named him. I’m afraid I’ll get too attached if I do. And hubby can’t catch me loving on him! LOL… kitty knows my hubby doesn’t want him around because he never comes to the porch if he’s home. Interesting, I think.
You definitely deserve some down time. Glad you were able to enjoy yourself and relax a little, even if it didn’t go quite as planned. Surprises are the best, anyway!!
Aww milo! Let the cute kitty come inside!! No? Well okay..
You and I are so much alike! We have such a soft spot for animals.
@BarelyJen - i have a yellow lab who’s 2 and hes huge and he still thinks hes a puppy but his tail is so muscular, he can kill with it. and i have a rat terrier named max and hes like 10 years old. hes short and crabby and never stops barking.
but i love him…
Aw, I absolutely hate to see lost animals
It breaks my heart. You definitely did the right thing though! Go you!
Once there was this cat outside of a Wilson Farms store we have, and it was meowing because it was so hungry. I only had 2 dollars to my name, but I went back in that store and bought it a can of food.
Oh gracious don’t put him in a shelter, let him be. Some owners believe their cat deserves outside freedom, because oftentimes, cats can handle it. They are fiercely independant and are purely able to take care of themselves. Perhaps this kitty already has a loving owner and was only coming to you for a snack and some new interaction. Limit not the freedom of kitties. Even domesticated cats are wild.
But your compassion is lovely
@MaddisLongshore -
first of all, thank you — and i totally agree with what you’re saying. unfortunately, that’s not quite the case. our area does not allow “outside” pets (it’s a controlled apartment environment, smack dab in the middle of businesses). we’ve seen him darting around for a few weeks now, but have never been close enough for interaction. sadly, he doesn’t have claws and seems to be a bit malnurished … and beat up to boot.
honestly, the shelter is on my list of “last resorts.” if he DOES have an owner, i am doing everything i can to reunite them. but if he IS an abandoned kitty, it’s best to find him a new home. (we’ve got a few no-kill shelters in the area — i would NEVER take an animal to one that euthanized an animal for “population control”, etc.) thanks for stopping by!!
Well, that is understandable. Okay, good. Lol.
This is why I believe cats are the way to world peace.
@MaddisLongshore -
i didn’t want you to think i was going through the neighborhood “saving” animals that didn’t need it!!
@AvenueToTheReal - they bring out the best in us!
absolutely, they are the most welcome strangers I’ve ever encountered
You have such a kind heart.
@MaddisLongshore - Did you like totally miss the party about how he was declawed? Dont think that will be very fierce agianst a big dog, take it from me, we put back together jigsaw kitties at the clinic all the time!
You did do a good thing, but I would not recommend the shelter unless it is a no kill, and I have my problems with them as well….anyway, couldn’t u just put him in another room seperate from your kitty and place an add in the paper. A declawed kitty, and Probably neutered too, most vets wont do one without the other….will have no problem finding a home. Also try to list him on pet finder, I am pretty sure that having a declawed cat outside is illegal, so good luck! M
@kidzandK9z - unfortunately, i didn’t see him around when i got home. i’m hoping the girl at the front office came by and picked him up (to take him home for now) … she was out today, so i couldn’t ask.
unfortunately, i don’t have the space to quarantine another animal (seriously, this apartment is practically microscopic!) but was going to take him to a friend’s house instead.
and yes, a no-kill shelter is DEFINITELY the only option between the two.
Well let’s hope that he is ok, and atleast if he was neutered he wont be making any more strays! M
Thats terrible that someone would let a declawed cat outdoors. I sincerely hope that this is just a misplaced kitty, not abandoned!
(and if no one responds, please contact a no-kill rescue group, let me know if you need help finding one)
Cute kitties!
I adore cats oxo.
the cat’s real cute and elegant! you are such a nice person for taking care of the cat!