We offered her several times that fit into our schedule and she picked one. The woman asked if she should bring a carrier to that meeting. I didn't know the answer. The adoption coordinator said the shelter doesn't do same day adoptions, but if the woman decided she was interested, the paperwork could be process and pick up scheduled as soon as possible.
The day of the meet and greet I couldn't decide if I was rooting for Pimento to shine or if I wanted him to be a jerk. He was skittish, but was won over by pieces of kibble. The woman, who appeared to be about my age, said after some life changes she was living in a one-bedroom apartment and was looking for a cat to love.
That evening she let us and the adoption coordinator know she wanted to move forward. Completing the paperwork and arranging a time for pick up took five days, which allowed me to come to terms with the whole arrangement.
This morning was Pimento's big moving day. All morning he sensed something was up, and when the time came it for him to leave took all three of us to get him into the carrier. A couple of hours later his new mom was nice enough to text a picture of him enjoying the view out of a window at his new house.
I have no doubt Pimento will have a wonderful life going forward, but it hurts to see him go. When both Tony and I are ready for another foster cat we will let the shelter know.
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| One last Pimento photo |
So sad but good for Pimento having a permanent home.
ReplyDeleteI think you should just adopt a cat. To me a foster would be for about 2 or 3 months. But, that's just me. 😊
ReplyDeleteEvery cat we've owned has lived 20 years or more, and we decided we weren't up for that long of a commitment. In talking with other fosters our experience was quite the outlier.
DeleteNo doubt this was hard.
ReplyDeleteFarewell and good luck to Pimento! May he have a full and happy life with his new human! Yes, saying goodbye is the downside of fostering, alright. I would want to keep them all and turn into a Crazy Cat Lady in no time.
ReplyDeleteThey say that fostering ultimately helps save more cats, so that's one way I can try to make the world a better place.
DeleteThat's got to be rough. Thanks for giving him a home until someone found him for their home. I didn't know fostering was for so long. I thought it was just for 1-2 months. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeletePimento had VERY little trust in humans when he came to our house. When that issue was resolved a series of health issues kept pushing back a strong adoption push. Going forward, we will see what the future holds.
DeleteThis is really a sad story I would have thought the shelter would have given you first choice to adopt since he was with you so long. that would be difficult to shelter another one. hugs
ReplyDeleteKathy, the potential adopter actually brought up the matter of us keeping Pimento, but we decided we could do more good by letting his find his forever house and starting over with another foster.
DeleteThat is a really responsible thing for you to decide. I have family who have twice had sibling cats which lived 20 years each, now they are in their late 70's they are not willing to adopt again, I will suggest the fostering.
DeleteJanF
Aw, it's really sad seeing him go... I am sure you will miss him dearly, but it is fantastic that he is going to his forever home! I am really happy to hear that.
ReplyDeleteMocha, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Yes, I'm finding the whole process bittersweet.
DeleteI'm sure a few tears were shed, on both sides. I hope his new owner continues to keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteI hope she does, too.
DeleteThat's wonderful! Pimento is such a good looking cat. Hope he loves his new home.
ReplyDeleteI hope he loves it too.
Deleteadopting a cat might be the easier thing for you... but fostering gives more than one cat a chance! Well worth it I think!! You and your husband did a great job with Pimento!
ReplyDeleteBettina, thanks for 'getting it'. We're looking forward to helping another cat find its best life.
DeleteYou and Tony did a wonderful thing. Now Pimento knows he can trust humans again, and you gave him that ability.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words :-)
DeleteSo happy Pimento found a forever home! You foster folks are a true blessing for animals from the shelters.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteFostering is a generous and lovely thing to do but I can see that the parting is difficult. I hope Pimento is a pampered puss and you are kept in the loop.
ReplyDeleteAfter spending less than a half hour with his new person I think that Pimento is in for a plush life.
DeleteBittersweet for sure, I hope the best for Pimento. You are a better person than I. I do not think I could foster and give up a pet.
ReplyDeleteGiving him up was hard, but I can't wait to see what's in store for us next.
DeleteOhhh, Kathy. This is heartbreaking and also glad he found a home at the same time. You and Tony rock. You guys really do.
ReplyDeleteI think that perhaps the 'letting go' will get easier each time. I hope.
DeleteFostering sounds like it can be difficult when the time comes to give up a pet (or a human) but then knowing that you have given Pimento a good start is certainly gratifying and glad the owner sent a photo.
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled to see him out and about at his new house.
DeleteBeing a Foster of either a Fur Baby or a Human Child has to be so difficult when it's time to relinquish them. Big Hug, but glad he found a permanent Family to Love him as much as you did.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteFostering would be hard for me, I want to keep all of them. I'm sure he will have a good life.
ReplyDeleteThat would be so hard, I don't know if I could do it. I fall in love too quickly. I had quite the day with the kitten and Eddie. I was so happy to see him accept the new kitten. That tiny face looking up at me just melted my heart. I would say that at 72, I probably should be worried about taking on a pet that will most likely out-live me!
ReplyDeleteAll of our cats have lived at least 20 years.
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