No more kitty...

[slvrwhispr]

The Boy and I decided we weren't going to be The Boy and I anymore... which meant I needed to find a new place to live... and the new place doesn't allow pets. So The Boy keeps The Cat and I get absolutely nothing in return.

Sigh... anyone got any kleenex? I'm almost out...

[kate & kobi]

OHH, I'm so sorry... ... are you going to be allowed visits to your kid (ah, kitty)? He's going to take good care of her, right?

Here's a virtual kleenex and a (hug).

[slvrwhispr]

I can visit, yeah... it wasn't a hostile breakup. But he is my kid, kitty, whatever... sigh. Thanks.

[Traci]

Are you talking about Cody? I can't imagine living without him.....have you tried offering your landlord a pet-deposit in order to have him with you? Sometimes that works. Otherwise, I'd be keeping an eye out for new apartments allowing pets. (I know, they are relatively few, but don't give up)

[kelly]

you must be heart broken! how long did you have this kitty???
at least you can visit but its not the same!!
are you going to look for somewhere where you can keep your cat??
you must really miss each other!!
i went on a weeks holiday was soo upset leaving my animals!!
at least you know the kitty will be well looked after!!
but there is nothing like curling up in front of the tv with kitty!!!
or 4 of them and 2 dogs like my house!!!

[slvrwhispr]

I signed the ten-month lease, and to break the lease, I'd have to pay the rest of the year's rent as the termination fee. I really am stuck. I was under the assumption that the complex allowed pets since I'm renting from the same landlord I am now. But this building is newer, and... they don't want animals of any kind. Like, you can't even have fish. Nothing. It's kind of ridiculous. But what I think I'm going to do is have the boy keep the cat until he moves out of the current place in December, take kitty to my parents' house, and have him live there until my lease is up in May.

The only thing that makes me nervous about that is the fact that my parents have a five year old black lab. He's a wonderful dog, he's never hurt anyone (unintentionally, at least... he gets excited when I come home and has a tendency to tackle me to the ground and lick the top three layers of my skin off) but he's never had to deal with another animal in the house, and neither has Cody, and my parents have never had a cat. I'd be there for about two weeks to handle the worst part of the adjustment, but still... cat, dog...

I'll probably post another thread for this if no one sees it and answers, but has anyone ever had experience introducing a single-animal cat and a single-animal dog? Other than the obvious (give them their own space and time, let them go at their pace, supervise) anyone have any tips? And don't suggest bathing the dog to get his scent off him; that dog... is the ONLY lab I've EVER known that hates water. It's impossible to bathe that dog. lol. But other than that, anyone have suggestions? Anyone think this is a truly horrible idea and I should not do it?

[Tina B and crew]

I'm really sorry you have to deal with this...it is stressful on you and your kitty I know. Please keep a very close eye on kitty to make sure he doesn't stop eating or get over stressed with all the changes. I certainly hope it all works out. Wish I had some advice on the dog/cat thing, but I have never had to deal with it. I'm sure someone can give you advise though.

[Traci]

This is not a stab to lab-lovers on the board, but my experience with them isn't great. In my opinion, they are too rambunctious, overly stimulated and half un-trainable unless you have a really dedicated and comitted owner. Hopefully, because he is 5 years of age, maybe he has outgrown the rambunctious stage. As for introducing them, be absolutely certain they are supervised at ALL times, you can't predict what might happen between them. And any dog can get provoked, whether cat, child, other human, etc. I'd start with short intervals of time together to see how they react to each other, watch how the dog interacts (does he seem threatened, comfortable, agressive, etc), and continue these intervals until both pets seem comfortable around one another. Who knows, they might become best buddies, but again, do make sure they are supervised at all times together.

[Jodi]

Sorry to hear that you and your kitty have to go through this ordeal. Stay strong and take care, and I hope things work out for the best!!!