Hi everyone, I know I haven't posted much lately - my mom has been ill w/ heart issues and so I've been rather preoccupied w/ that, and I've also interviewed for a different job that is about a 3 hr drive from where we live now. I interviewed over two weeks ago and they had spring break and they told me to not expect a response right away, so I haven't been too concerned yet that possibly someone else was chosen for the job. Yes, it would mean we would move.. and hubby and I would live apart for a while til we could get everything coordinated. I am just so undecided as to what I should do if they DO offer it to me.. Yes I want to move - it would put hubby and I both w/in 20-25 miles of each of our siblings. But it would also put me about 3 hr away from my parents, who are in their '80's ....and I worry about them. Especially, since my mom has had her heart issues here the past month. I guess I shouldn't put the cart before the horse, but it's hard not to... especially since they will want an answer, I'm sure rather quickly. The position that is open is a Director of School Food Service position. That is what I got my degree in at K-State and all my prior jobs have been food service related, w/ the exception of what I'm doing now. Blah.. blah.blah.. sorry, I'm babbling..

Anyhow, on to my real topic - I have decided to re-home Punkie. Things have not gotten any better between him and Rocky/Brownie. Rocky totally completely absolutely HATES him.. they've had plenty of chances to have some decent contact, but Rocky is SO mean to him, that Punkie is completely terrified of Rocky. And on top of it, now Brownie has decided to antagonize him - she will corner him and also hiss at him. And so consequently, he pees on the floor.... We've tried all the sprays, feli-way diffusers, homeopathic remedies, rescue remedy, and two weekends ago, Jim even bought a Thundershirt and the spray to go along w/ it to put on Rocky, hoping it would calm him. He was calm about 15-30 minutes.. then he was back to his old be-bopping, "beat the crap outta Punkie" self. So, after realizing that was $60 bucks wasted, we took it back to Petsmart and got our money back. Punkie peed on the floor early this a.m. and I sprayed it down and went to work, knowing I would have to clean it up tonite. So I cleaned it up tonite, w/ the special $250 carpet cleaner I bought a few weeks ago, and left his room for a bit, only to go back in and find out that he PEED ON THE FLOOR again. All this peeing is occurring in his "safe" room, which is a spare bedroom. If we move, we'll have to pull up the carpet, even tho the carpet is in good shape, it smells.. like cat pee.

There is a Persian Rescue Network that I am a member of on Facebook. I am going to post on there and see if anyone would be willing to foster and/or take him in. I think if he was an ONLY cat, he would be fine. He just cannot live w/ any other animals. If he had front claws and his jaw wasn't broken, I think he'd put Rocky and Brownie in their place, but Jim thinks he's been abused by his prior owners.. and we both firmly believe he was fed "people food" or table scraps.. he will eat anything.. or will at least try. I often wonder if he hasn't been hit by a car...

I do love the poor ole boy.. and it breaks my heart to have to do this, but he has no quality of life.. sitting cooped up in a room, wondering where his next meal will come from and who may come in and whoop his a**... not much of a life. I just wanted everyone here to know, so if you do happen to see it on Facebook, you would know what's going on.

It is always sad, when this happens.It is never an easy decision and you have tried very hard to make it work. I had the same situation with Bluie, I took in Tiger, a little Maine coon kitten someone dropped off. Bluie is a hard core alpa , only cat, she will actually get sick. At this time I have our feral MaMa in our down stairs which works.. as long as Bluie does not have to be with her, she tolerates her there.
a few years ago, my vet called me with a similar problem, a lady turned in a Perisan, white male cause he was weeing on the floor, and want him pd,,, but Dr K said, she would find him a home. I fostered him, and had no problelms. his problem was he was getting beat up by other cats at her home, and he was afraid to use the tray. I sent him to a friend in Florida and he has never had a problem... poor little guy, hope you find him a good home, where he can relax and enjoy his life... again, so sorry, you had to make this decision....

Kathleen, everyone here knows how very hard you and Jim have tried to make this work. Punkie wouldn't even be around if it hadn't been for you. You are doing your best to give this poor guy the home and love he deserves and I applaud you - every step of the way.

Would love to respond to everything you mentioned however the main part of your post was about Punkie and I'm very sorry to read it hasn't worked out for him and yet I know you know you're doing the right thing with rehoming him. I had adopted a lovely cat named Sebastian at one point before Francis and Alaska and Winston would corner him and not let him either come out from under the bed and/or get to the cat litter. Poor boy didn't eat for a week almost and at first my Vet was going to put him to sleep based on his liver enzymes and I begged for his life to see if he could just get him right nutritionally while I paid for his upkeep until he could be adopted out.
He became best buddies with another cat named Boomer and they were both adopted out together to same couple! I heard from my Vet that they both did very well at adopted household as he continued to see them in his practice.

I do so hope that Punkie will find a wonderful home as an only cat. I wish I could take him as I have all tile floors but Miss AK is hanging in there and I'm not supposed to replace her once gone re the 1 20lb pet policy pet here (I'm being allowed to keep Alaska and Lola due to their age and conditions).

to all of you ~

Kathleen,

I see you have a lot on your hands, job change, elderly parents, possibly a move and Punkie who cannot stay with you, probably that is the hardest decision to make. But I feel that after trying all options, you have chosen in his favour so to say, to give him the chance for a home as an only cat where he will not be chased about and peeing where he should not, out of fear.

You have put your heart into it and I will pray that you find the solution which gives him a new option and you the peace of mind that you have done the best you could for him.

Hugs,

Birit

I am so sorry that Punkie is not going to work out at your house. I would love to have him but he probably wouldn't like living in my cramped little house with 7 other Persians. Felicity has had some problems adjusting to living with the herd though I think it is probably mostly her issues that cause the problems. She is the one that initiates the growling when some of the other cats get too close. I don't think the other cats would bother her if she didn't growl and bop at them first.

Sure hope you find Punkie a good home where he will be the only cat. Pls keep us updated on baby Punkin

I'm sorry it didn't work out with Punkie Kathleen..
I hope you can find him a new, loving home...I know you tried your best..but one can do only what the cats will accept....

Good luck with the new job if you decide to take it..that's a big decision for you and hubby for sure!

I love this forum and all the support that is offered in the most loving and kind way.

I don't have anything to add that hasn't already been said.

I will pray Punkie gets the home he deserves, a nice home where he is the only one and getting spoiled as he deserves. His back story breaks my heart. Persians are the sweetest breed.
Really, bless you for all your hard efforts.
hugs all around
Paula

I so agree, Paula.. I was just a little hesitant to post anything because I'm not really in a place now to be chewed out .. but I was pretty sure I wouldn't be. THANK YOU all for your kind words and support.

Punkie is still with us - I posted him on The Persian Rescue Network on Facebook ~ I don't know if any of you are part of the group or not. It is a closed group so you will not see the posts unless you are a member of the group.

My mom is doing better and has been out of the hospital now for a week. She saw the dr. yesterday and he said he thought she was doing pretty good.

No news on the job yet; as each day goes by, I lose more hope, but at the same time, I don't know that I am in a good place to try a new job. But, at the same time, isn't it just like... never the right time to have children? Somehow you manage...

Poor Punkie.

I am surrendering Paavo Pony to a rescue next month. With his health issues he is not much above pasture sound and I am too heavy for him.