Problem

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Elizabeth - 22 Dec 2006 23:06 GMT

I'm 16 years old, first of all.
Problems at home have been making me consider moving in with my father.
However, his wife doesn't like cats. And they have a dog.
So there's the problem.
I really don't think I can take the envrioment I'm living in currently
anymore.
But I can't bear to part with my little kitty. I've had her since she was 7
weeks old. (she's now almost 7 months.)
So do I move in with my father and try to convince his wife to let me keep
her?
If so, what could I tell her that would change her mind about cats? Would the
cat and dog tolerate each other???

Or, do I put her in a shelter? I don't think I could deal with that. I really
don't. Just the guilt and pain I would feel. She'd be so scared! It makes me
cry thinking about it.
Should I just stick it out and keep living where I am now for the skae of my
cat?
PLEASE I need some advice ASAP. Much thanks.

Signature

http://i7.tinypic.com/24g0snn.jpg

my baby.

Reply to this Message

clb1265 - 23 Dec 2006 00:03 GMT

Elizabeth,

First talk to your dad and your stepmother. If she absolutely says no to
the cat, then you have to think over what is best for you. If you are
living in a household where you are abused in any way, then you must leave
to go with your father. If you just find it hard to deal with your mom and
anyone else living there, but you are safe, then you need to decide if you
can tolerate it where you are. Can you stay there and save up money and in
a couple years when you are 18, move into your own place? If you have to
leave and go with your dad, maybe you have a friend or other family member
that can care for your cat so you can still see her often. Think it over.
Talk to your dad and your friends and family. Only you can really decide
what is the best course of action for your situation.

Reply to this Message

~*Connie*~ - 23 Dec 2006 14:03 GMT

I really don't have anything to add, this post covered my suggestions. I
just wanted to say I was proud of you for considering your options, and
thinking of your kitty's welfare. That is a very noble thing to do.

> Elizabeth,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Think it over. Talk to your dad and your friends and family. Only you can
> really decide what is the best course of action for your situation.

Reply to this Message

carola - 05 Jan 2007 06:45 GMT

Hi Elizabeth

I think the advice below is very good.
I'd like to add that it is well possible that cat and dog can live together,
your cat is young enough for that.
As far as the dog is concerned it will only work if your stepmother helps
praising and disciplining the dog, especially when you're not around.
Just go about it gently. If the cat is allowed outside eventually, then you
*must* keep it inside for the first three weeks and allow it to have padded
refuge areas where the dog can't get to, e.g. on a closet.

I would speak openly to your father and his wife and make it clear that the
cat means the world to you.
Just talk to them in the same way as you wrote here, make it also clear that
you are in a real dilemma and that you need their help.

Good luck

Carola

Signature

^..^ ~~ ,
=´`= ___ )
(_

: Elizabeth,
:
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
: Talk to your dad and your friends and family. Only you can really decide
: what is the best course of action for your situation.

Reply to this Message

Fred G. Mackey - 06 Jan 2007 06:47 GMT

> Hi Elizabeth
>
> I think the advice below is very good.
> I'd like to add that it is well possible that cat and dog can live together,
> your cat is young enough for that.

Yep - that is a possibility. Many cats and dogs get along just fine,
but that's not always the case.

To Elizabeth, you have to do what's best for you and if that means
losing the cat, that's what you need to do. I'm sure it would be hard
to do, but it sounds like you're in a hard situation anyway. I wouldn't
give up my cat for anything in the world unless I was faced with a very
tough decision like you face and it was clear to me that I had to. I
would be hard, but you have to put yourself first.

> As far as the dog is concerned it will only work if your stepmother helps
> praising and disciplining the dog, especially when you're not around.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> I would speak openly to your father and his wife and make it clear that the
> cat means the world to you.

Agreed. Even if the dog doesn't like the cat, some arrangements should
be possible, even if it's inconvenient for all concerned.

> Just talk to them in the same way as you wrote here, make it also clear that
> you are in a real dilemma and that you need their help.
>
> Good luck
>
> Carola

Reply to this Message

Rate this thread: