Reassure me I'm not a bad person?

[fid_gin]

I promise one of these days soon here, I'll give an honest to God, happy update about how Finn's doing, 'cause he's doing great - but right now, I'm kinda down.

So tomorrow, we are dropping our cat of 11 years off at the no-kill shelter here in Reno.

Comments

[wickedgillie]

You are, beyond a doubt, doing the right thing. For yourself AND for Finn. Because I agree, he doesn't need to grow up thinking THAT is how you treat a pet.

You gave Toxie over a decade he might not have had with another owner, who may have rushed to have him put down when he got aggressive. You exhausted every possible avenue. And you loved him unconditionally, and obviously still do. You'd qualify for sainthood in my book.

[platypus]

The situation you describe just isn't tolerable. It sounds like you've tried everything imaginable, and you've been dealing with this for A DECADE. And you're putting him in the best, safest place you possibly can, with great care for his welfare. I know how it feels, but I truly cannot imagine anyone who would think you weren't doing the right thing. Some pets really, seriously aren't safe with babies, and that's worlds different from people just deciding that a pet has become inconvenient.

[unfolded73]

^ What they said.

[leenah]

you are doing the right thing.

i had a cat similar to toxie. i rescued him when he was 10 yrs old after his lifelong person died. i fell in love with him before i realized just how insane he was. i learned his tells, and i changed my behaviour to deal with him. he did NOT change. i talked with friends and vets and consulted animal shrinks. he did not change. he would be sweet and snuggly, then turn instantly and attempt to eviscerate any body part he could reach. bites, scratches, and he wouldn't stop if i screamed, he'd bite harder. it was frightening.

i decided that if i couldn't keep him that i would have him put down. i'd thrown him across the room at least once to get him off me; i didn't trust that any other person wouldn't do much worse. he died at 16, when i had him put down due to having fluid in his chest that wouldn't stay away.

i loved him to bits, but i think i did the best i could by him. you are doing the best you can for toxie.

[debs7]

Your first priority is Finn. You do not want anything to happen to your precious boy and I can guarantee that will happen if you keep the cat around. If you ever start feeling bad just try to imagine how you would feel if Toxie attacked Finn and you know he will.