Thank you BFriends, Barbara and all volunteers for Cat Rescue. In Melbourne, I help financially a great lady who rescues pound cats on 'death row' and rehomes them to great homes.
I am an animal lover, a reformed or upgraded animal lover in a way...Yes there is such a type of human, I guess. Eg like me, who repents of at one point taking the easy way out and returning a young cat to the shelter from where he came, coz he was biting and challenging for myself and elderly mother. Of course, he was euthed. by shelter.
I have always been deeply regretful that I didn't have the fortitude or confidence or sheer love to persist with this young 1 yr old cat, who was bitey, a bit hyper, but far from feral. In retrospect he just needed more time and patience than the one month I gave him.
I was very depressed and struggling on many levels at the time, and didn't choose this cat wisely - but for all that I acted in a morally lazy selfish way that that belied my claim to being an animal lover.
So I have been trying in his memory ever since then about 5 yrs ago to do differently, volunteer at shelters, learn more about cat and dog behaviours, etc. I have a lovely one eye rescue puss and a siberian husky rescue too.. and no way in this world would I ever have them or any other animal that crosses my path put down coz I couldn't cope with behaviours. That is a certainty.
So I have been focussed on loving and helping and learning ever since, and hope that if the cats have souls, that my 'Rumi' cat will forgive me. I often still ask him to.
I love BFriends of course, and offer what $ I can to no-kill shelters and WSPCA, etc.
So for people who are devoted to animals and sensitive, stable, committed and kindly from the get-go, you are my heros/ines. For other flawed folks like me... please real animal lovers try not to write us all off as horrible people beyond hope of redemption, etc..
I know where you are coming from, but there are probably people out there like me, who need support and help to stop them going the 'easy' route, which leads to death of animal. Who need to value life more, their own included. Who once changed, are more passionate about care and welfare by far than even the 'average' domestic animal owner probably! At least that has been my observation with many of the owners I have met, who still like their meat and don't have a major problem with euth.
I suppose death is not the worst thing as it comes to us all sooner or later... In some contexts I find even worse than peaceful euth. is the years of cruelty and neglect, even subtle neglect such as verbal abuse and lack of attention to needs of the whole animal. That is pretty commonplace, from what I observe.
We def. need no-kill shelters, TNR, etc. but also education and ongoing, post purchase support from the shelter itself with behavioural care of more 'challenging' animals. Reading stuff in a book is one thing, but the need for hands-on human support is so much more empowering.
I think part of my challenge with my cat was because I got him as I was afraid he would be euthed if I didn't, rather than because he was best to have around an elderly frail lady and a semi-dysfunctional daughter (me). And he was killed in the end, anyway because of my impulsiveness and lack of capacity to follow thru when challenged by a cat who was not 'easy'.
If I had known he was likely to live until the more experienced person came along, then we wouldn't have rushed the choice and made a 'wrong' one. That is, one not suited to my capabilities and my family circumstances.
That said, I still find it hard to forgive myself, and prob. always will....but will continue to advocate and unconditionally care for and love, and help all animals that come my way, and educate myself on their physical, emotional and
"I suppose death is not the worst thing as it comes to us all sooner or later..."
For precious cats, lets make it later than sooner.
Natural death. Not murder, when dealing with healthy cats.
Not referring to your case, Anna pearl. Just in general terms.
We dont murder kids who have a raw deal in life. We shouldnt murder the four legged ones either.
Live and let live.
Again, anna pearl, this is not in reference to you, just a comment on how easily so many humans murder healthy cats. It needs to stop.
Take care.
Cats do have souls, and your 'Rumi' cat has forgiven you, anna pearl.
Love forgives well intended mistakes.
You'll be reunited with your cat someday.That's a promise.
Hi George,
I have just checked in to see if anything added since BF. site upgrades, and was both surprised and touched to see your comments in response to my v. long earlier 'spiel'. Thank you so much for bothering to respond. I guess it was self-indulgent, but one night I felt like I had to be honest with myself and any good folks here, about my failings. Because I feel I am finally following my hearts calling, that has always been there, towards caring deeply for and about animals ... so the failure to live up to my ideals was far more acute to my mind, than if I had been utterly indifferent. So I try now to use it as a catalyst to lead me to better standards, not the opposite, or despair.
Yes I do hope dear Rumi forgives me, in some way... even though I had meant well, I knew, even then, only about 5 years ago,that I had failed him badly by not allowing much longer for behavioural changes to come about... both for him, and my mother (who was intimidated and afraid of him), and myself, who read, but didn't fully implement, or allow time, for better outcomes.
And even if there had NEVER been a better outcome, I still owed it to him to continue to have a safe, cared for life with us, even if he was never a 'people person' type of puss, for the rest of his life. As you said, we don't just get rid of kids if they are challenging... we would have to work with and remain committed to what we have chosen, or what fate/god has dealt us. Or get professional help.
That poor little cat... he had to carry the emotional 'projections' of an lonely middle aged person who wanted a 'loving' cat, and an older lady who would have wanted a manageable gentler 'lap' cat not a 'problem' one.... and I failed him badly.
Sometimes I think I should look into finding a recognised, reputable cat 'communicator' and try to get some feedback from him in spirit? .. then I think, I probably can't afford it now, and I would be better off sustaining my commitment to loving and caring to my best capacity my own (post-Rumi) rescued cat and dog, in his honour and in honour of all the forgotten, neglected, dumped ones. And helping shelter cats/dogs, etc. although on a small income. Well, I may still follow up re. communicators... it might help me, as I feel Rumi is fine in whatever form he now is.... but I personally would value a sense of 'knowing' it and I am so fortunate, having a 'blessing' for my new work and deeper understanding...?
I seem despite failures to still have animals respond positively to me thank heavens... eg I am sometimes given the sick/weaker ones in shelter to spend time with/TLC, as they know I try to be sensitive and loving to them and regard them with respect, not as 'things' or just 'cute' with no inherent value. And the animals do seem to accept me mostly, just as I am. And they teach me a lot, as I try to learn more too, over the years. My own cat and dog I am often told look in excellent health, and I try to make them have good quality of life too, natural/organic foods, flower essences if needed, attention to teeth, etc etc. I love to care for them, for all animals, although not a proper nurse.
Since finding BF in 2005 (when I wanted to donate to someone good when I heard about animals suffering post-Katrina), I was amazed to learn of no-kill shelters, wonderful kind people, the world is full of them and I had not known.
I am proud to be a part of this community, from a physical distance but spiritually I sense kindred spirits.... and that when I read what people do and have done, for the animals, their dedication and love, I am uplifted and blessed by their kind hearts and innate goodness. I sense a love and willingness to accept in BF community and philosophy those of us humans who are wanting to change too... after all, if BF only appealing to the 'converted', the message wouldn't be as powerful or as all-embracing.
I have to believe that we all have that capacity, for greater patience, love, e
Oops I have to do short posts in future, I am cut off in above post mid sentence, lol. I would edit it down now, but I can't find a way to do that...
anyways, I am sure you get the drift, I love B.Friends and kindred spirits all over the world of this kindness philosophy, embracing all creatures including 'us', and seeing the love, light, and potential in us all : ) xx
AnnaP>
PS: Just visited the above 'Cat Rescue' link in Sydney, had to make a small donation, they do excellent, loving work, with these poor little 'unwanted' creatures, thank you!!
xx.