My New Foster Kitty!

Hi All!

Sorry, I haven't been around much. I have been doing ok. I stop by to read posts. So.......I decided to try fostering for a little while. I got my first kitty yesterday.

They think he is about 3 years old, fixed and Maine Coon or a Maine Coon mix. A Sheriff found him and his two doxie (weiner dogs) doggie siblings left behind after an eviction. Instead of calling animal control he took them to rescues. The doxies did find homes.

They were calling him socks. I didn't think it fit him. I sat there thinking in my head what would you like to be called? I heard Sammy. So I said it out loud. He came to the name right away. I think it really fits him. He reminds me of Sam Spade private detective. He is undercover in his tux at a swanky party. Underneath, he is just one of the boys waiting for some scraps thrown his way and grade A catnip. He looks at you with his eyes half closed as if to say "I see you looking at me doll". His fur maybe a little rough on the outside but his insides mush.

He is soooo different than my Misha. I've never had a male cat before. I was concerned about spraying issues. The rescue told me that he doesn't do that. He isn't really big on cuddling. He does like to be petted. He is very laid back for the most part. The odd thing to me is he doesn't meow at all! He did wake me up this morning trilling though! LOL What also gets me is he is so expressive with his face! How he looks at me sometimes reminds me of the grumpy old men from the muppets up in the balcony! He seems like an old soul in a young mans body. I'm being patient and letting him do his own thing. If he wants to see me he knows where to find me. He has been hiding out a lot today and I think that is pretty normal. I'm enjoying his company but have mixed feelings. I can never replace Misha wouldn't want to. I keep telling myself that we bond with each animal in different ways. I guess I worry that this sweet boy kitty won't bond with me. I also worry abou things I have no reason to worry over. I worry that with him being older I won't have very much time with him. I drive my self nuts! Instead of just loving him I think to much. I prayed for a sweet kitty and here I have one. I need to just enjoy him period.




Karen- Mishas Mom and Sammy's Foster Mommy

Losing My Beloved Misha

I'm so glad I found this forum. On Saturday I had to put my beloved Ragdoll Misha to sleep. It was the hardest decision to make. She was 15 years old. Last year she had been diagnosed with beggining stages of kidney failure. Last week she just started acting like she wasn't happy anymore. She was still eating but sleeping a lot. She also would be sitting there having trouble breathing. On Friday night she didn't want to be bothered at all. Didn't want me touching her, or cuddling, or any kind of interaction with me. During last week she bit me once or twice for no real reason. She had never done that before. I had this feeling she was telling me that she was done. She didn't enjoy life.

I took her into the vet Saturday morning. After talking to the vet he thought that she could of possibly had a stroke or seizures. There was also a chance that she could have a brain tumor. I asked if she was in any physical pain and he said no. I'm not sure if I believed that she had lost most of her muscle mass and I'm sure her little hips were rubbing up against bone. I just kept thinking we will be back in this same spot either ten days or a few months. What kind of quality of life would she have in that time. I feel that we don't just have an obligation to their physical pain but also their mental pain. So I made the decision I thought was best for her. She went quickly thank God. I did second guess myself the next day. I think that is normal. I do have a peace about it now. I believe we will see them again one day in heaven with our heavenly Father.

The hardest part for me is coming home to an empty apartment. I live alone and it is so lonely in my bed at night. For 30 years I have only had 4 months without a companion cat. I know I want to get another one just want the right timing.

Sorry for rambling on. My friends are getting tired of hearing about "it".