Got a call out of the blue this morning from my nephew, who moved to
California about 7 months ago.  He had been living with my brother up to
that point and had a cat named Jupiter.  Apparently he saw no reason to take
Jupiter with him.  Until... surprise!  My brother is moving to Kansas.  In
two days.  (Defaulting on his mortgage, abandoning his house, but that's
another story.)  And he's not taking the cat.

So my nephew calls me.  "Aunt Jill, can you take care of my cat *for a few
days*?  I'm getting a settlement check probably by Friday.  When I get my
settlement I'll send you the money so you can have my cat shipped to me."
[Suddenly I'm in the middle of a Judge Judy episode.]

I may get flamed for this but I said nope, sorry, can't help you.

This "kid" will be 26 in July.  I know him.  I'm sure he hasn't given a
single thought to Jupiter in the 7 months he's been gone, otherwise he would
have found a way to get the cat in the meantime.  It's not until my brother
said he can't keep the cat any longer, suddenly it's a mad scramble to deal
with Jupiter.

That's not the only reason, of course.  Persia hates other cats.  We all
know this.  She'd pitch a fit if I brought another cat into the house.  My
place isn't set up for "gradual integration".  Not to mention, I just
boarded Persia for 3 months, I'm not about to get her all upset over this.

Another reason is the Judge Judy reference.  I'm sure my nephew *thinks*
he's getting a settlement check this week.  He may well be.  But I sincerely
doubt it's going to be anything like what he's expecting.  Most of you know,
a couple of years ago he was run over while riding his bicycle by an
uninsured, unlicensed, repeat offender driving a borrowed truck.  How much
money can he possibly get from a deadbeat like that?!  Probably not enough
to "ship" the cat to him.  (I'd have no idea how to go about doing that.)

What I really see happening is my taking in Jupiter and since she's now
taken care of, nephew will happily forget all about her again.  He'll just
expect me to keep her until such time as the next crisis (like me moving)
comes up.

BTW, this cat has never been to a vet since he got her from a shelter some 4
years ago.  No shots, no nothing since then.  And I'm supposed to bring her
into my home with Persia?!  I don't think so!  I don't have the money to get
her tested and shots and all that.  I can barely do that with my precious
girl, let alone someone elses'.  Let's not talk about food.  It bugs me when
people say, "If you can afford one you can afford two."  That's not
necessarily true.  I know what I can afford.  Two cats isn't it.

My mother is still pushing for me to come back to South Carolina NOW.  I
don't know how long I'll be here myself.  Forget about committing to taking
in his cat "for a few days" when I may well be in SC by next weekend myself.

I told him if he can't find someone else to take the cat with the ship-to
contingency, the Humane Society shelters are all over Shelby County and they
are no-kill facilities.  He should tell his father to take the cat to the
shelter.  Might have to shell out a few $ because they'll want to give the
cat shots, etc. but at least the cat won't be out on the street.

Jill