Instant Doghouse.

[Scorpio]

Sorry to have been absent for so long. I've been hiding. Dealing with a moral dilemma.
I have never really cared for morals. That external standard which people use to define themselves as good, and others as falling short of the requirements for society's rubber stamp. Bigotry, superficiality and hypocrisy are the characteristics of the outwardly pure.
My little cat is having kittens. Yes, I know she should have been spayed. Yes, I am aware of the surplus kitten problem. But 2/3 of our month's budget was simply not affordable when it came to the crunch.
Unplanned pregnancy. Our little girl the shame of the neighbourhood.
We have lived through a lot, and through it all our cats and our kids have had love, if not birthday presents. Big Boy's last operation took the money we had saved for the electricity bill. By the time the kittens are born, we will be able to afford to get her fixed, but for now, rent and food has to be a priority.
I have spent so much time feeling guilty about this. The stern voice of the moral majority comes through loud and clear.
No time for guilt now. It is spring, nature is unfolding itself, and I have never felt so close to it.
If she could give birth while I held her in my arms, I would. Right now, it's me and my beautiful cat, one of God's real works of art, and one of his miracles is coming.

[nancys]

Please don't ever feel guilty for putting the need to feed your family ahead of anything else. If people with morals that they think might be better than yours can't understand that than I think they maybe need to take a closer look at themselves. Good luck!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I'm with Nancy on this one. Hope all goes well

[Randi]

Hey, don't beat yourself up over this... of course you had to pay the rent and bills first. Not much fun ending up in the street with a spayed cat and no food. Things are turning for the better now, and I know Sweety Claws and her kittens will be well looked after. In the time I have known you, you have always been an exceptionally good kitty dad.

Miss Sweety Claws will have some beautiful kittens and I look forward to seeing them! Any idea when she will give birth?

[Barbara]

It is as it is and for now you can look forward to a wonderful experience. But I hope there will be a little bit more money

[Medusa]

I've always said "people first" but not to the neglect of our animals. You certainly have not neglected "little cat". We do the best we can and that's all anyone can ask of us. I'm looking forward to lots of pix when the kittens are born.

[Karen]

Do not feel too bad, at least her kittens will be born in safety, and she'll be loved and well nourished enough to safely carry them. These things happen, and we deal with them as best we can. I am sure you will be sure to find the kittens good, responsible homes as well. In the meantime look around, maybe there are some low-cost spay/neuter programs around to take advantage of once her kittens are weaned.

[catmandu]

Times are getting tough now in North America with the recession, and a lot of employers using that to pay as little as they can
We know that you will do your best for Sweety Claws, and we pray all your Little Cats of the Future are well and healthy

[Freedom]

Time to read up on what you need to know to help with new borns! (Sorry, I can't recall if you have been through this before or not.)

[Scorpio]

Thank you all so much. Tilde is doing fine (Sweety Claws' real name, pronounced like the end of Matilda), and though she seems a bit puzzled by what's going on in her tummy, she will have the best care, and I'm sure she will be a good mum. She is getting rounder, and it now takes two jumps instead of one to get to her favourite look-out spot. I'll keep you up with developments as she develops.