Stupid Cat!

[youthere]

There is this beautiful gray tabby cat that just sort of showed up around our place last spring. We fed her, and named her ("Kitty"-original, eh?) and she's stuck around. I'll preface this by saying that I'm not much of a cat person, and I don't like them in the house, but the weather turned severely cold last week, and I couldn't bear to leave her (or any animal) out in the sub-zero temps all night. So I brought her in. We put a litter box in the basement for her (which she adapted to quite well), and some food and water and figured she'd make herself a cozy little nest down there in the laundry room. Well she figured out how to open the door leading upstairs. She slides her paw under the door and pulls and pulls until the door comes open and then she can wander at will.
Now she can be found nightly cuddled up next to my son, purring happily away, or chasing her tail, or just sitting contentedly on the back of the sofa. She's been really good in the house, and other than her attachment to my son, pretty much stays out of the way. She hasn't bothered the rabbit at all (which would be a deal breaker for me) and she gets along with the dog.
The weather has warmed up and she really needs to go back outside, but I think it would break my son's heart. So what do I do?

[hyphenate]

1. I personally would

welcome you to the world of cats as children that stay with you long after they've supposedly worn out their welcome!

I think if you stick with the furkit that you will enjoy years of entertainment, joy and love, and may someday actually adopt another one to keep this one company!

However, it really takes a special person to love a cat, because sometimes they don't do the right thing, and their behavior can spark anger and confusion. But for those who can tolerate their occasional bouts of mischief, cats will always win the hearts of those who care for them. When you adopt any animal, it's making a lifetime commitment, and if every one who did find a spot in their heart for such, we wouldn't have the continued tragedy of animals being put to death because of overpopulation.

On the other hand, I would suggest you live with the kit for a little while, and see what happens. If it doesn't work out, you can contact Petfinder and see what they suggest.

[youthere]

2. My son has certainly grown fond of her...

When she was outside we fed her regularly and she was pretty content to prowl around our property (we live in the country) and hole up at night in the chicken shed or in the garage. The kids would pay attention to her if they were outside and she came around, but otherwise didn't pay much attention to her.
My daughters still kind of ignore her for the most part, but my son just adores her. I'd hate to kick her back outside and have her not make it through the winter, or have her get hurt by a predator or something.
I don't think I'll ever be a true cat lover, but I think I could tolerate her her. She is spayed. As soon as she showed up around here we caught her and took her in. We have strays that turn up here all the time and we always catch them and have them fixed.

[Sanity Claws]

3. Smart cat!

She's got you describing her as beautiful. She can open a closed door. She found a way to finangle her way into a family member's heart. She sounds like a keeper to me. Sit back and admire her beauty and cleverness.

[Arugula Latte]

4. Your son is a smart boy!

Nothing better than a kitty...

It sounds like she's not much trouble (unlike dogs :hide: ) so why not give her a nice home?

[Little Wing]

5. Keep it!

You want to

[bluethruandthru]

6. I think someone's found a home!

Sounds like she was a house kitty in her previous life. I think she'll be a great addition to the family. Cats are the best!

:hi:

[youthere]

8. We have strays that show up here often..

and we've had a couple cats and two dogs that I know were dumped. :mad:

[bluethruandthru]

11. What's wrong with people?

Why dump an animal when there are shelters? Thank you for looking out for the ones that come your way!

[youthere]

12. I know...I don't understand it either...

there are plenty of shelters that will take the animal with no questions asked, but they still just drive out to some place in the country (like ours) and dump them. I'd like to do that to them. Drop them off in the Amazon or the Sahara and see how well they survive.

[conscious evolution]

7. You were adopted

long before you brought her in from the cold!
Cats do that!
Your only choice at this point is to accept that which has already happened.

[distantearlywarning]

9. Keep her.

She sounds like she fits into your household well.

In general, cats are a lot less trouble than dogs, so if you can tolerate a dog in the house, a cat probably won't be a big deal at all.

I know several people who were self-described "non-cat persons", were adopted by a cat, and ended up being very happy with their feline companions (and subsequently changed their minds about how they felt about cats in general).

[youthere]

10. I don't dislike them...

I just prefer them outside-and I tend to like (some) dogs better. It's the hair thing I think. the wiener dog doesn't shed much and neither does the rabbit. That and the poop in a box, but I make my son take care of that.
;-)

[judaspriestess]

13. sounds like she belonged to someone else at one point in time

she must be fixed? I say keep her, get her to a low cost clinic to check her out and thats that. She sounds like a darling and your son and other pets are happy with her.

Pets and children are Gods angels here on earth.

[zanne]

14. I hope you'll let her stay inside...

Being a cat, dog and kid lover, I like them all to be happy. (Oh--you too, of course). She sounds very adaptable and a wonderful pet for indoor living.