When we adopt a pet, they are ours for life. We give them proper medical care, groom them, fed them well, love them. When Mija–our tuxedo adoptee that had been a starving stray kitten–suffered acute kidney failure due to lily poisoning 8 years ago, we paid over $1000 in vet expenses to see her through her near-death experience. She’s been happily eccentric ever since.
Sort of.
Seven years ago this April, we had our first son. She chose to ignore him, which was fine. Our elderly dog and lovebug of another cat welcomed the new member to the pack/pride.
In 2008, we had to put down the dog as she was severely ill with kidney disease. We’d done everything we could over the last few years, but she was not getting better, and we finally accepted it.
In December 2009, we had our second son. Mija, like with our first, ignored him–until he became mobile. Then she hated him. Thankfully, our other giant lovebug of a cat loved everybody, and welcomed the toddler’s less than gentle affections.
January 2011, we adopted a new dog, which lovebug cat quickly assimilated into the family. Kitty quickly let the big shepherd/lab cross know HE was boss. They quickly reached an understanding, thankfully because Ginger is a giant wuss. Mija–predictably–hates her. She will stalk, attack, growl, and hiss at poor Ginger, who yips and yelps and BOW WOW WOW!s her distress. A few times, they’ve had some loud “arguments” that drew a teeny bit of blood–scratch to Ginger’s nose, claw partially torn from Mija–so we keep them separated in the house. Seems to work okay.
Until we lost the lovebug of a cat in September 2012. 
Now, Mija is lonely, but just as nutty, and hates our children even more (surprisingly, she seems to have more tolerance of the dog, but we aren’t pushing it–she can now walk by Ginger with only a hiss or two, if I’m monitoring both of them).
Our poor youngest, age 3 now, adores cats–but can’t pet her. She’s the type of cat that will purr and love being petted, then suddenly out of nowhere growl, hiss, swat, and run away in a matter of seconds. A few times she has drawn blood on the boys, and this is where I draw the line. You do NOT mess with my children, fruitcake.
Enter this morning. I’d let the dog out, so hubby and I were enjoying a cuddle in the bed, and Mija had joined us, purring happily. Our 3yro son came to join us, and we gave them plenty of space. He asked to pet Mija, and hubby said it would be okay since he was watching. I heard him say, “No, Mija no scratch you” about 15 seconds before I heard a hiss, a WHAP!, and a very frightened yelp before bursting into shaking tears from our son. :mad:
This is miserable for everyone. Mija is lonely, but seems to hate everyone in the house except my husband (she tolerates me). I don’t want my sons to develop a fear of cats, but I don’t want to just toss her aside. (She’s 13 years old now, incidentally.)
BOTH sons miss our old kitty, and the eldest came in this morning saying “Let’s get rid of her and get a new cat!” Tempting, let me tell you–at least the first half of that sentence.
But, we took on the responsibility of her–I’m not about to just toss her aside, though this morning I was ready to toss her across the room (kidding, kidding…kinda). She is older, progressively more eccentric, and less than friendly. I don’t know that I can find a good new home for her, and I don’t know how or if she’d adapt to a new home.
I draw the line at her hurting my children. Even my hubby, who adores her, agrees. But–now what?
Awesome!!! love this!!