I'm Catie and I'm relatively new to the world of cats, as I grew up in a family of non-animal lovers and I was the oddball. I had a horse growing up, and riding continues to be a passion of mine, but last summer was the first time I was able to welcome cats into my home. Living in Los Angeles at the time, I took in two foster kittens who I looked after for 3 weeks, until they were 8 weeks old (at which point they were returned to the shelter for adoption, according to the shelter policy). Aside from one kitten who refused to use the litter box, that experience went pretty well. When I returned to Philadelphia in the fall, I looked after a friend's 6 month old kitten for several weeks and really enjoyed it. I then subsequently did some more cat-sitting for two more cats. In November, though, I decided I wanted to foster again, so I took in two more kittens from PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) who, unlike the Los Angeles Shelter, asks you to keep them, if possible, until you can place them in a new home. I took in Ellie and Benjamin, both of whom I immediately fell in love with.
After a little while, I knew I had a problem - I was too attached and would never have been able to give them both up. I am a full time student and will have a fairly itinerant lifestyle for the next 2 years or so, so even to take on one permanent cat is a stretch, but I am just not in a place to have two at the moment, so a couple days ago I gave Benjamin to his new dad, who is taking great care of him. This leaves me with my darling Ellie, who I hope to keep permanently.
The last few months have been something of a feline-crash course, but I am very excited to be able to work with such a wonderful animal. I figured I'd make this account on this forum so that if I have any questions, I might tap into your expertise!
Here is Miss Eleanor Rigby
01-07-2013, 02:10 PM
Hey there!
