Gone, Baby, Gone

My foster cats survived their spay surgeries and they returned home yesterday morning. I was glad to have them back, but of course I realize that it's a temporary situation. Rose, the Mama, was slated to be moved over to a local animal shelter where she would be placed for adoption today. I'm not happy about it.

I'm so frustrated. Our group, like so many others, can't afford to open our own shelter. We home-foster and invite potential adopters to our home to see the cats they're interested in adopting. It stinks. We don't have a facility where someone can just stop by and see whatever cats and kittens we have all in one place. Until we can do that, we're forced to place adult cats into other shelters. They just don't show well in a home, where they're already safe and well-fed. They're more likely to be adopted if they're in a cage. It helps offset that they're no longer cute kittens, but adults who've hit a bad patch and need to be rescued.

Does it really feel like rescuing a cat from someone's home? Probably not.

It doesn't stop me from wanting to keep Rose here as long as needed. My very good boyfriend (errr...fiancè) supports this idea, too, and is willing to lend a hand to care for the cat when I GO ON MY SPANKIN' ROAD TRIP TO NEVADA in a few days (I hope I can leave, 'cause right now I have a f-ing cold).

Rose's fate is out of my hands, especially since she came home and was basically limp, after her surgery. She didn't eat much and what she did eat, she vomited. She also seems to have the runs, so it was back to the Vet for her. So far, her re-check went fine and no fever is present. Because our Co-Founder came to take her to the Vet, she may just pick Rose up tomorrow and take her straight to the Shelter. Am I paranoid? I don't think so. When I said; "I'll pick her up when they're done with her. Just let me know what time." was answered with; "We'll talk about it."

Poppy comforts her Mama, Rose

Rose didn't get a chance to say goodbye to her babies. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Rose, either. Will any of us ever see her again? I dunno. She's gone, baby, gone.