A Home For Christmas

Some of you may remember an add I had put out last year, looking to find a home for a stray cat that our family had become attached to.

I had a Facebook Group under the name ‘A Home For Buddy’, as well as a Kijiji ad and a story I posted on my blog, about how Buddy came into our lives.

It saddens me even to write this, even though I know it’s getting cold and this little man deserves a warm and loving home, but that doesn’t change the fact that I have grown very attached to him over the 2 years or so that he has been in our families lives.

There were many replies to my ads, including well over 1,000 hits on the Kijiji ad alone. Perhaps I was being too picky, or it’s even more likely, that a part of me just couldn’t let him go.

Buddy spent all of last winter with us, but unfortunately it wasn’t a smooth ride for the poor litlte guy. First and foremost, even though Buddy enjoys walks around the block with my dog and I, and he even doesn’t mind sharing my love with the dog when we sit out on the back porch, he in my lap, enjoying some quality time together. But when it came to close quarters in our home, Buddy didn’t stand a chance. Just ask the kitten that we brought home six months ago for our children (4 and 2). There isn’t a day that goes by, that he isn’t soaked with slobber, or pinned down on the floor under the 60 pound mutt. The difference between the kitten and an eight year old cat, is that the kitten asks for it.

Buddy has claws, so unfortunately our then new leather couch, became a scratching post for Buddy. That didn’t bode well of course. Then, trips through the cat door into the basement to use the litter, were an adventure all of their own. He did use it, but when the dog got it in her mind that she wanted to play, accidents happened and when you have two young children, chancing them crawling and playing in urine or fecies, is not an acceptable scenerio. He didn’t have a lot of accidents over four or so months that he lived with us, but it was enough to re-introduce him to the outside world as soon as the weather warmed up enough.

Although he is fixed, he did spray on a few occassions as well. I did some reading up on this, and it seems that this could be caused by stress from our crazy, determined, pooch. He doesn’t seem to spray outside anymore, which he did do for a short while after he was fixed. He thinks of our yard as his home, and is there religously every morning and evening for food and treats, but he no longer seems to be marking his territory.

He has gained a fair bit of weight since the last pictures I posted of him. One of our neighbors is fairly fond of the little guy too, and leaves food out for the strays. He goes back and forth between our houses, and for the most part, that is about as far as he goes.

Why am I telling you all of this if I am trying to find him a home? Because I want to know that he has the best chance possible given what I know of him, to find his forever home. I want him to find a family, and for that relationship to stick. If I found out he was back on the street withought a home, or at a shelter (which would surely mean euthanasia at his age), that would litterally break my heart.

I truly believe that if his shots were brought up-to-date, he was declawed, his back nails trimmed and given a loving, puppy-less home, he would be one of the most wonderful cats you have ever owned. He loves attention. He looks at me through the back screen door and it breaks my heart not to bring him inside but the reality is, that our home is not the ideal place for my little buddy.

I would like to see where his new home is. I would like to know that he still has outside privelleges in a cat friendly neighborhood. He loves to be outside and will cry at the door to go out and explore and bask in the sunshine. I would like to know that his new family can afford to pamper him and take care of him the way this cat deserves to be treated in his remaining years. He doesn’t need much, but he does deserve a lot of love and affection. He has been through a lot, and the least I can do for him is to do anything in my power, to ensure he finds the best forever after possible.

I want Buddy to find a home for Christmas. That is one of the things I would like for myself this holiday season. To know that this beautiful little soul, can finally find comfort in knowing he has a home to spend the rest of his days.

The day I say goodbye will be hard for me and the kids as they too, have grown fond and become accustomed to him always being around, but sometimes the best way to show your love, is to know when to let go of the ones you love.

Is there room in your heart and your home, for this gentle spirit? Email lawrencethomas@shakingthetree.ca if you have such a place.

Click here to read the ‘Story of Buddy’.