Friends of ours got the cat from the pound..... she was going to be euthanized the day that they got her had they not took her home. Recently they were told that they could not keep the cat.... they rent their home and the owners aren't too happy even though they let them have a dog. Anyway, she asked if we wanted the cat or if we knew of anyone who wanted her.
At one point, Annalyn suggested that we get rid of our dogs so that we could get the cat. I was very upset that she would suggest such a thing, yet I could understand why from her background.
"Annalyn, that is a horrible thing to suggest. Are we getting rid of any of you to make room for Alexsey?"
"Nooooo."
"That's right. And we never would. Just like if we get the cat, we aren't getting rid of the dogs. When we make a commitment to make a person part of our family or an animal a part of our family, we keep that commitment and don't give them away."
The kids named the cat Rosie because of our other cat that disappeared two years ago. She looks just like our other cat did plus 15 pounds.
Sveta is in love. And she has promised to be more diligent with picking up the dog poop and cleaning out the litter box.
23 inspiring thoughts:
Another addition to your family?! ;) Congrats, haha.
We feel the same about our pets too... and of course the children. We have been praying for Dennis and so glad he is doing well.
What a beautiful cat! I feel the same way. When I make a commitment to a pet, it is for life! The kids sure do look happy :o)
We have that in common too - besides adopting kiddos, we've adopted pets also! Great mid set on pets or children - they are a commitment.
When I was a child, We had two cats--Jem and Scout-- My elder brother was the one in charge of the litter. Jackson had Downs. Since he had trouble telling time (reading clocks/passage of time) my mother told him that every day "right after dinner" he was to scoop the litter. It was the perfect solution. It solved his issue with telling time, passage of time and memory. It became a ritual to scoop the litter every day.
Every other week, my mother would remind him to "change" the litter and would help if he needed it.
Jackson has since passed but I have two cats of my own---and I scoop the litter, every day, "right after dinner"
Hi, I wouldn't compare getting a new home for an animal to getting a new home for a child. Ever.
I did have to get new homes for my dogs after I adopted my daughter. There was no question, she was the priority and the dogs were taking time and resources that needed to be devoted to the baby. I have no regrets (single mom here, limited help and limited income). Its NOTHING like finding a new home for a child. I was so overwhelmed, I didn't even grieve for the dogs. Was just glad they had new homes and were off my plate. Know what I mean? I'm interested your thoughts.
Anon,
Christine used that example to make a valid point to her child.
If christine had been unable to take the cat on--she never would have. However, she was able to take the cat in. And, she would never trade-or give away-her other pets.
For Annalyn it was an important lesson. Learning the meaning of family and a permanent home.
For you to question her tactics, and her beliefs is tasteless.
--the OTHER anon( one above with litter scooped "right after dinner")aka suzanne
Oh, how cute. Thank you for rescuing. I'm glad the kids are happy with her!
What a cuddly (read: chubby) looking cat! I'm sure she's happy to be with such a great family. :)
oooh when I saw the title of the post I hoped it was a cat!!! Love from, I am a Krazy Kat Lady x ;-)
I can appreciate the lesson on commitment you gave Annalyn, about not giving one pet away, to get another. But what happens if Alexsy or Dennis winds up being allergic to Rosie?
Beautiful story and that cat doesn't know how lucky she is. She'll never lack for attention, being held and having her neck scratched.
You and John have hearts of gold.
As for the comment, consider the source.
Allergies, most people are not allergic to them so why worry.
It's very important to teach children the value of life, esp. the life we have direct control over. All the animals and plants we encounter, are gifts to us, we should not abuse them. We happen to live in a community of transients ... lots of moving. It appalls me to think of people who consider animals as nothing but accessories, and they give away their pets when they move.
Good for Annalyn to learn this responsibility. I am also very happy for Miss Sveta.. she is so good with animals! How are the cat and dogs behaving? They are a good size to be together :)
What a beautiful cat!
I love cats but of course you have most likely figured that out.
That's why I dont go to the pound. We would have our own shelter here. We love animals.. We just recently had a pigeon. He just died a few days ago. That is the hardest. So I stay away from that place. We have 4 dogs and 2 cats..
Happy Spring..
Rosie looks like a great cat! Congratulations!
It looks to me as if some of the "controversy" voiced here has to do with responsibility. Everyone agrees that being a parent or being "owned by an animal" is a huge responsibility that shouldn't be taken on lightly. But when circumstances change, sometimes due to things outside of our own control, it may be that the loving, responsible thing to do is to find a new home for an animal - or even a child - if we are no longer able to meet that animal or child's needs adequately.
That's just what Rosie's former owners did: they turned to you, knowing that you could provide sweet Rosie a permanent home when they became unable to do so, as much as they also loved her.
That's responsible.
My last three cats have all been either strays or neglected kitties whose previous owners agreed to let them live with me. My present kitty, a big orange and white boy, is sweet, loving, still a little spooky at times due to the earlier neglect, but he's come a very long way. The previous two, "adoptive brothers" who loved one another dearly, were with me fifteen and seventeen years, respectively, and I still miss them. I was blessed by their presence, and am so glad I was able to provide good consistent care for them. They returned it a hundred fold and more.
Kids and kitties: they both can wrap themselves right around your heart...
Susan in Ky
Anon,
Obviously you just want attention but why don't you use your energy towards your child. You apparently needed to criticize Christine for comparing pets with children which wasn't exactly what she said but that's besides the point. I don't know why people like you can't just keep your opinions to yourself. Your a single mom, limited income, blah. blah. poor you....is this your blog or Christine
Marie
P.S Sorry people, i'm just over these rude people who come visit other peoples blogs to spread their misery! =)
congratulations on your new kitty! It must have been a good lesson to Annalyn and the other children to be reinforced that you have room in your heart for another pet without hsving to get rid of any dogs!
wow, contraversy (spelling?? sorry) everywhere. It must be in the air to be harsh. Anyway, I love cats, dogs, kids and chocolate. Hows that for comparisons. hehe . You better watch out you are going to grow our of your new home soon. And heaven forbid a nice walk in closet that would be perfect for a little bedroom would cause someone to think you lock a child in a closed. Things get so blown out of propotion. Anyway, great grandma cut a twin bed in half and sewed it up and made a little bed for a great uncle to sleep in a closet, so he had some privacy. hehe We loved to go to her house to take a turn on the old bed in the closet. So fun
My apologies. I didn't mean to sound harsh, but reading again see that it did. I've read this blog long enough that I will be surprised if Christine is offended by me, she seems to be open to thoughts. If I'm wrong Christine, I'm sorry. Just was my opinion that its best to be clear about pets and kids and their places. Y'all are free to do as you will obviously.
PS: I am confused by some of the comments which seem harsher than warranted. Especially Marie(spreading misery on blogs?) I can't remember posting anything but congrats. and I won't again.
I love your new blog look! I am sure your kids are loving their new pets! what kids don't? my youngest is nuts over animals! she can't keep her hands off, her older sister is so afraid she won't even touch! what a contrast!
I don't think anon was trying to be critical. She was just saying that for her, she was willing to find a new home for the dogs to give more attention to the child. Pets, especially dogs, can take up time. My children take turns brushing, feeding and walking ours. Me, I'm a cat person.
C,
I just was over at Reece's Rainbow and connected to dots that you guys were adopting Aleksey. I had seen his picture a few months ago and thought he was just precious! Congratulations!
I'm sure the cat is exciting too, but nothing compared to how it will feel to bring Aleksey home! Wow!
I saw that your children had chicken pox right now too. I'm sure that's not too great with so many (do they all have it?). I'm actually trying to find someone around here with it so I can expose my children to it since they didn't have the vacc. It is really hard to find anyone with it these days!
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