Thursday, April 22, 2010

DO I DARE POST THIS?

Click to enlarge to read this.

After much heart-rending, we are down to our final week with Bailey.  I am desperate.  We have had him seven years and have had to replace carpet in two rooms three times. We are now retired and living on social security. We just cannot do it again.

He needs a home with tiled floors.  As much as I love this cat -- and he is beautiful in every other way -- we are at a dead end.  He only urinates on the carpet if other cats come past the patio windows and it may be weeks between times.  It is a behavioral problem, not medical. But we are now in the position where we cannot even invite friends to the house.  I have tried all the rescue places, but who wants a ten year old cat who urinates inappropriately especially when kitten season is here?  Believe me we have tried everything else.

Please don't lecture me about keeping him.  It is hard enough to make the final decision, and I know there are people out there with very strong opinions on this topic.  So this is a last ditch effort and to ask you to pray for us as we make the decision.  The Lord loves animals, as do I.

19 comments:

Rune Eide said...

It was sad to hear about Bailey. I hope you find a new home for him soon - he deserves it.

PS Thank you for the comment. We don't see or feel any ash, but the problems wit air transport are enormous. Very many people are still stranded abroad.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Poor Bailey - and poor you. Behavioural problems in cats is a difficult one because I doubt he will be able to unlearn this behaviour now. I do hope you find him a new home.

Autumn Leaves said...

I know how hard this is, dear Chris. We've had to rehome several dogs and it is gut wrenching each time. Behavioral issues are just so tough! I wish you much luck with finding him a home. You might check with some of the retirement homes in your area too...

Gerald (SK14) said...

hope you find him a good home

kaybee said...

So sorry, Chris - I know how much you have loved Bailey. And even tho I am severely allergic to him, I have always recognized him as a very regal, gentle soul -- even when he would wake me at 7:00m for his breakfast while MOTH was away!!

Carmen said...

Ooh boy! That's certainly a tough one! I feel for you. I'm sure there's some cat lover out there that will be glad to have him.

Anonymous said...

It never is easy. I suppose you have tried all the different kinds of litter?

Good luck to all.

Wanda said...

I left a comment earlier and it's gone. Maybe I didn't hit the right button.

You know how I feel, and so hope someone reads this and you can have a win-win situation for everyone.

Morning's Minion said...

What a hard decision. You will feel bereft without Bailey's company, but I fear his bad habit is firmly entrenched.
In our many years of keeping cats we've had to deal with this a few times. I've never been fully resigned to the strategies we've used--several times we made outdoor accomodations for cats who simply couldn't be trusted inside. That isn't always a possibility, especially for a cat who has only lived indoors.
My heart goes out to you--and to Bailey.

claude said...

Oh my God ! What a sad story, Chris, for you and for Bailey !
I hope you will find a new home for him with good people.
My thoughts are with you and your husband.

Ken said...

Like someone else said they probably won't change now. Good luck in your search for a new home.

Cherdecor said...

You have a lot of patience with your cat. He wouldn't have lasted 7 days in my house let alone 7 years. Ha! Ha! I love animals but they better behave themselves. Our daughter had a cat that used the carpet and is now using the kitty box. She doesn't know what made the change in her. She moved so maybe a different house made the difference. There you go....you could buy a new house. =)

Elizabeth said...

Thinking and praying for you both. It's not an easy decision to make but God understands and will direct your path. x

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear you are force to give up your beloved cat that has been with you for so long, I also pray that you are able to find him a nice loving safe home.

I think you might be surpirse just at how many people will take in older cats. I took in a older cat and she is now 12 years old, I gotten her when she was just 9 years old.

sandy said...

He's a beautiful cat but one has to do what one has to do...and heck, you can't keep changing out carpet. He will be a perfect fit for someone hopefully. One of the people above said, he wouldn't have lasted seven days in her house, yup that would be me! I love cats but not at the expense of the household sanity, ha.

Katnip Lounge said...

Hello, I think you might have some luck posting on the cat blogosphere page. There are a lot of wonderful people out there who may be able to help.
Kat Mom

Gillian Mowbray said...

That's brave of you to admit defeat, Chris. Those of us who have had cats know how you must feel and it can't have been an easy decision. Hope you find the right home for him. x

Patty said...

I feel so sorry for you, does make for a predicament. If only he had claws, perhps he could have been put outside with his own little cat house to live in, but once they are declawed, they have no way to protect themselves, as I know you are well aware of. Good luck in what ever you finally decide.

The Jessup Family said...

We can completely relate. We have have 2 sets of 2 cats. One is social with no problems and the other, for some odd reason, is an inappriate urinater. We have replaced couches, carpet, etc. Two things that have worked for us - Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract cat litter and, when the inappriateness has already occurred, a solution of baking soda, liquid soap and hydrogen peroxide that completely gets rid of the smell. If interested, we can give you more details. We feel your pain.