I give up. No more cats for me. I have had it.

[Bertha Venation]

As to the rescues & strays: The constant heartbreak is too much. They're too messy. They're too expensive. They make my garage stink.

As to TNR: it is the hardest job I've ever done. It takes a lot of energy, physically, mentally, emotionally. And half the time the damned cats don't go into the trap. Or if they do, it's cats that have already been fixed. Dumbasses didn't learn the first time? Or it's raccoons or possums that I find in there. And then there's the carting. I've had to practically wrap the traps in plastic to make sure the cats don't pee all over the car. And I have to take a day off of work every time I want to set traps, because you can't get to the clinic before 7 and you have to pick up by 4. It's a big fat time suck. And who pays for these cats' operations? YOURS TRULY. I've had it. I'm not doing it anymore. They can just reproduce out there to their little hearts' content. I wash my hands.

As to my housecats: Anyone wanna come to my house and take them all away? All the ones in the house are fixed and housebroken. I'm keeping Harry. The rest - you can have 'em. PM me if you want to know about them, so you can pick yours. But you have to come and get 'em.

NO MORE!

[Spacemom]

1. I'm sorry you're feeling like this

It IS a huge commitment of time and energy and emotional resources to do what you do. And it's OKAY to stop. You love your kitties and you have done the best you can for so many of them. You've done more than a million other people would even think of doing.

Give your heart and time to your inside kitties.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Bertha Venation]

12. Sorry, Spacemom.

This is a very nice reply.

I feel guilty. A little.

:hug:

[Spacemom]

27. You got me

it completely flew by me.

You bad, bad girl. :spank: :D

[BurtWorm]

2. Have you thought of taking in feral geckos?

:think:

[Bertha Venation]

11. nom nom nom nom

LOL

[Shell Beau]

3. You have such a big heart. Don't be so hard on yourself.

:hug:

[Bertha Venation]

14. Heh heh

:hi: :hug:

[FloridaJudy]

4. Cat enabler! eom

[Bertha Venation]

29. That would be me.

:hi:

[auntAgonist]

5. I wish I could give you a great big hug ..

I hope this is a DUH !!!!

:loveya:


ya got me.

aA
kesha

[Bertha Venation]

15. Yup. I gotcha.

:loveya:

[Barack_America]

6. Sounds like you're doing a good job.

If you're trapping cats that have already been fixed.

I would take that as a sign that your efforts are really working.

No?

:shrug:

[Bertha Venation]

16. Hi, Barack_A.

Although this was a prank, I really appreciate your kind words. Thank you.

[Arugula Latte]

7. ...

I'll bet your efforts have already prevented dozens and dozens of kittens from being born, thereby giving the existing ones a much better life.

:hug:

[Bertha Venation]

17. now this one really does pull on my guilt chain

:(

Thanks, Arugula. :hug:

[crispini]

8. Hmmmm.....

I was about to post something thoughtful and sympathetic but.... not biting. ;)

[TZ]

9. .

A joke I hope....

[Richardo]

10. .

:hug:

[Blue Diadem]

13. Bertha Bertha Bertha,

Happy April Fool's day!

I know in my heart you don't mean one word of your post and you're just having some fun with us.

ps on edit:

I know you'd never give up your precious babies. And...a big thank you for all you do helping out our feral feline friends.

[ThomCat]

18. I'd come over and give you lots of hugs

and share tea and cookies if I could. :hug: :loveya:

It sounds like you're going through a tough, depressing time right now and need some comfort, support and sympathy. I could offer all of that if I could get there.

I love you, and respect you, and I wish you were one of my neighbors so I could come visit you. :hug:

As for your cats, I'd certainly help you and cat-sit while you get your steam back.

[Bertha Venation]

19. Oh, no . . . I'm so sorry, Thomcat

I'm sorry I roped you, too! It's an April fool's post. :(

While it's true I am burned out, and have been for a couple of years, I don't think I'll ever give up on the furry little bastards.

Your words of kindness have moved me. You're a kind, kind man and my world is better for knowing you.

I would like to share tea and cookies with you . . . :hug:

:loveya:

[ThomCat]

23. Doh!

You know, because I often sleep for an entire day at a time, I often wake up now and don't know what day it is. I didn't realize it was April 1st. :P

I should get in the habit of checking the date on this computer first thing when I wake up, before I do anything else. At least then I'd always know what day and date it is. :)

:hug:

Someday I will make it down to Maryland. :loveya:

[BuelahWitch]

20. Am I the only one who's thinking...April Fools?

:shrug:

[Withywindle]

21. Can I have ALL your cats?

I have such a huge, spacious apartment and no shortage of money to feed them all!

Just put them all in a big box and mail them to me. Chicago postal service is totally reliable, no worries!



:hi:

[Roon]

22. I had to give up Morrison

I fostered him for 6 years and gave him back to his original Mama. For someone poor like me, I couldn't take care of him. He is HUGE and is half bobcat and it was like taking care of a tiger. He peed so much at a sitting that I couldn't use scoopable litter because he would just saturate the whole litterbox into one big clump. When Daniel dies and if I outlive Barney, I am never getting a cat again. I will enjoy LOLcats and the kitty threads on DU.

PS
I call once a week to check on Morrison and his Mama says he is very happy..she has him on a diet and he is losing weight. He also gets along and licks the other two cats in the household. He sleeps with her every night.Barney misses him but I had no choice. :-(

[Bertha Venation]

25. I'm so sorry you couldn't keep Morrison anymore.

:cry: :hug:

[Roon]

26. Thanks Bertha

Morrison is a special needs kitty and I just couldn't afford to take care of him. (wet wipes, litter, etc) His Mama says he talks to them all the time now and he is happy. That is all I care about.

[applegrove]

24. This too shall pass.

[tigereye]

28. ha ha ha

I was looking at this post, Bertha, and thinking what the hell is going on? :rofl:



Very good job putting it over on everyone. A most excellent April Fools. It would be like me saying that I'm going to become a stock broker, or something. :toast: