Monday, February 12, 2018

BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT

Like with all adopters, I checked in with Clarence' new Dad the day after he took him home last Sunday to ensure everything was going smoothly so far. He sent lovely photos of Clarence lounging around his new home, not nervous or afraid, and seemingly loving life as an only pet. He had already been up on his new Dad's lap for a nap and everything seemed blissful - seemed being the operative word.

When Clarence arrived here at Safe Haven initially it was discovered that he liked to "jazz" the blankets or your feet if they happen to be under the blankets - another term commonly referred to as "humping". The behavior was discouraged from the outset and over the 8 weeks that he was here, it had certainly lessened in frequency. When the adoption inquiry came, we were completely upfront with "R" that Clarence did do this, and emphasized that he would want to discourage it as well. Turns out, that he wasn't as firm with Clarence as he should have been, and found himself being woken several times during the night by Clarence doing this on his bed. We suggested he had to be more firm and if that didn't work, than to place Clarence outside the bedroom for the night - he wrote back in a subsequent follow up email afew days later, that it worked the first night, but he abandoned it after that since he couldn't stand to listen to Clarence crying on the other side of the door. There was also the fact that Clarence was getting up on the kitchen counter when he wasn't home; although we gave him afew different ideas on how to curb this as well, he wrote to tell us that it was really grossing him out. The final straw came when I wrote last night to see how things were going, only to have him tell me that Clarence liked being "underfoot" (his word not ours), too much and it stressed him out when he was trying to cook in the kitchen. Needless to say, I instructed him to bring Clarence back to us immediately................


So my reading partner has returned. Looking very confused as to why he's back here instead of in his new home which he was thoroughly enjoying having to himself, both of us being very disappointed and feeling very guilty that we put him through the move, and our own boys looking somewhat perplexed as if to say "Really, Mom & Dad"?

Clearly this adopter loves the notion of having a cat but no tolerance for actually having one. Our hearts are heavy tonight that this darling sweetheart once again finds himself without a home of his home. Hopefully there is someone out there who will really want to love him forever - because he's waited far too long.

8 comments:

  1. sigh - unfortunately you can't fix dumb. better back with you though than in a house that doesn't appreciate him.

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    1. Your absolutely right - thanks so much for the vote of support.

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  2. So sad it didn't work out for Clarence. We had a beautiful grey and white cat who was also FIV+ and he was the most loving cat.And yes, cats are cats with minds of their own. Noah(remember that gorgeous orange boy) uses to hump towels and the bedding and Tifah is constantly underfoot when we are cooking.And we have cats get on the counters and table through the years. If you can't correct it you learn to live with it. By the way Maxwell is a perfect gentleman-even the vet and staff commented on it at his last visit. You raised him well!!

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  3. LM ... things happen for a reason ... thank goodness Clarence is back with you and not dumped somewhere. He will find his purr-fect 4-ever home ... we are all praying for it. meantime enjoy your reading buddy again !!

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    1. Yes they do happen for a reason and I appreciate you taking the time to remind me of that - thanks!

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  4. ARGH. People can be so ridiculous in their expectations. Cats are living beings and as such, have their quirks like all living beings!! We are so glad that this guy brought Clarence back since it is obvious Clarence was not loved. Clearly this adopter is way too uptight to live with anybody if he can't even get along with a sweet cat!!

    the critters in the cottage xo

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    1. They sure can, can't they? Thanks so much for being so supportive - hope your gang are all doing well! You must send me some pics.

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