sad beyond words

[davidpizzica]

Can anyone in the western Pa. help me? I'll have to give up Marigold because I'll be moving into an assisted living facility where I'm not allowed to keep her. She is older and while she is good with me, I'm not sure how she'll react with other cats and people. When she gets afraid, unfortunately she'll snap at people. I'm tearing up at the thought of giving her up, but I have to. Help??

[Pinot's Mom]

David, as I've said since the beginning, you will find a place where you and Marigold will be at peace together. You must insist she move with you - this is not negotiable.

[Randi]

David, I'm so sorry to hear this, but I hope there'll be a solution so you can keep Marigold.

Do you think it would help if all of us wrote letters/e-mails to the place you're going to live, to explain to them how important it is for you to keep Marigold?

[Cinder & Smoke]

... you will find a place where you and Marigold will be at peace together.

You must insist she move with you -
this is not negotiable.

David ~

* How many assisted living facilities did you check out?

* How did you decide to pick the one that won't allow Marigold to live with you?

* Are you going to continue looking for a Pet-Friendly facility?

[Pinot's Mom]

David, we can help research, we can contact the facility - anything! This can't happen, you need to be together! Please let us know!

[lizbud]

Maybe he's lost hope in keeping Marigold with him? :( I hope not.

[davidpizzica]

Maybe he's lost hope in keeping Marigold with him? :( I hope not.

Lizbud, I'm afraid it's looking that way. I'm really sad now.

[carole]

Bro i am confused i thought they were going to let Marigold come with you, you must try and see if they will allow it, let us your friends here help you, i am more than willing to send them an email on your behalf, let me know if you want me to, and i will,keep thinking positive matey,and fight for Marigold , she is your companion, and it sounds as though she might be a bit hard to re-home, fingers and all paws crossed for a good outcome,keep us posted,HUGS.

[Catty1]

David, is this the place???

If so, I think all of us who want to help you would phone or write to Concordia very respectfully regarding Marigold. I don't know how big your room is - but perhaps having a baby gate or something across your door to keep her from wandering the residence would help.

The fact that she has been with only you for such a long time is important for HER, as well as you. And - since she is an older cat - I don't know how to say this...but Concordia doesn't have to worry about Marigold being there for 20 years, if you know what I mean. I am sorry I couldn't say it better than that.

Both assisted facilities in my town each have a resident cat! :) Couldn't Concordia use a mascot?

I am sure a few of us could pitch in a bit and help with the small added expenses that accommodating Marigold would involve.

Concordia Lutheran Ministries
615 North Pike Road
Cabot, PA 16023

Admissions Representative
(724) 352-1571 or
(888) 352-1571 Toll Free
(724) 352-2740 FAX
www.concordialm.org
EMAIL CONTACT FORM: http://www.concordialm.org/contact.php

I would even try a 'made up' address, ie: [email protected]
[email protected]

I don't know if the TF # works from Canada. Does anyone here want to call and see if we can get a real email address?

[Cinder & Smoke]

DAVID ~

PLEASE let us try to Help you ...
but you have to help yourself, too.

When we ask a question or make a suggestion ...
can you please answer or make a reply?

Here's three that I asked >>>





* How many assisted living facilities did you check out?

* How did you decide to pick the one that won't allow Marigold to live with you?

* Are you going to continue looking for a Pet-Friendly facility?





I'm really sad now.




I thought they were going to let Marigold come with you,
you must try and see if they will allow it,

I am more than willing to send them an email on your behalf,
let me know if you want me to ...

DAVID ~

From personal experiences with both Retirement Villages and
Assisted Living facilities ...
when they have a written Policy against "pets" living with residents ...
there's not much hope of them changing that policy.

BUT -
There ARE facilities that DO allow pets - YOU just have to find one.

Another thought:

Check around for a "Private Home" - they're sorta lika a Bed & Breakfast -
usually NOT "licensed" by any State agency ... so you have to be careful
in selecting one; and you definately need a trusted family member or friend
to keep a sharp eye on You AND the facility - to make sure you're getting
safe and proper care.
"Private Homes" are usually small - having only a few paying "residents",
and don't advertise - you find them by word-of-mouth.
Check with your Church.

PLEASE - keep us posted --- We're all trying to Help you!

[Catty1]

LINKS TO LISTS OF PET-FRIENDLY ASSISTED LIVING IN PITTSBURGH.

(Don't let your family and friends rush you into the first available one!)

CHECK THIS FIRST
This one, Ridgepointe, is in Pittsburgh; most Ridgepointe residences are pet-friendly. They say there may be a pet fee. We can help with that!
http://ridgepointeassistedliving.com/

I was unable to link to the cost comparison sheet(which compares the cost of living in your own house with what is included in Ridgepointe's fees) and the Financial Solutions page. But ask!

These are the other Ridgepointe Assisted Living places in PA:
http://www.fivestarseniorliving.com/about-community-locator.asp?SubnavID=10

This link seems to list mostly apartments; have someone go over it with you.
http://fostercat.org/friendly.html

Of course, PTrs can check all these out, too! ;)

[Medusa]

David, there's no one in the Pgh. area that I can ask. All of my siblings except one have passed on and she doesn't know the Pgh. area at all or I'd ask her for info and help. I'll do whatever is suggested, whether it's writing letters or sending email or making phone calls but you have to point us in the right direction. Have you answered any of Phred's questions and/or taken his suggestion of looking into a private facility? Please update us.

[moosmom]

Davidp,

You KNOW I would take her in an instant if my place wasn't so crowded. I researched the internet for pet friendly assisted living facilities and there aren't many around your area. There are some that will allow "visitation" of Marigold to your room. But none that allow pets to live with you.

That just plain sucks. If worse comes to worse, she can always go back to Cat Sense and they can bring her in for visits. Another thing I would suggest seeing if your doctor (therapist, etc.) will write a letter emphasizing how imperative and important it is for Marigold to stay with you. There HAS to be a solution to this. And don't allow Laurel or Hardy to talk you out of giving her up unless it's back to Cat Sense.

[lvpets2002]

:love: David your sure pulling at my Heart Strings right now.. Fight for Marigold Fight for her.. As I aways say "Where There Is A Will = There Is Always A Way".. Please Do Not Go InTo Depression & Just Give Up On Her.. You Both Need Each Other..

[Catty1]

David - don't get sad, get ANGRY. FIGHT for spending your life with Marigold. It is YOUR life! YOU get to live it the way you want to.

Depression is like anger being turned backwards. Turn it out now and you will have the energy to do the best thing for you and Marigold!

If nothing else, PHONE RIDGEMONT. Tell whoever is taking you around that you want to see it NOW.

[davidpizzica]

Thank you for all the input and telling me to fight, but I beleve I did the best thing for poor Marigold. She has been adopted with help from Cat Sense by an older lady in the Pittsburgh area. I'll miss her a lot, however I feel it was best for her and me. At least she'll have a good home and be a companion to someone. I apologize for not responding earlier.

[Karen]

Glad to hear she'll have a good home. We know you did your best for her.

[davidpizzica]

Glad to hear she'll have a good home. We know you did your best for her.

Thank you, Karen. I think it was best for all concerned. Now, this way I can I can by cyber adopt everyone's pet on PT!

[carole]

well David if you really think this is for the best for Marigold, then you have my support,any chance you may get visitation rights?

[davidpizzica]

well David if you really think this is for the best for Marigold, then you have my support,any chance you may get visitation rights?

Thank you, Carole. Donna did some checking for me on allowing a pet and found most of them wouldn't and the few that would allow it would charge a lot more. As I said, I can live on through all the pets here at PT.

[Pinot's Mom]

I'm sorry this decision had to be made; sorry for you and for Marigold. It's heartwrenching. Peace to you, David, in this major life change (all the way around).

[Cataholic]

I so do not understand how this happened. You post sagas on here about your problems, losing your church, your job woes, your accidents, etc. You post 1 post about getting rid of your cat, receive tons of advice and then get back to people with the fact you have given her up??? How could you?

Ps:
Save the hate mail/pms for someone else, please, I see too much of this on a daily basis to listen to all the excuses.

[moosmom]

David is doing the best he can, so I think certain people on here should lighten up (Not pointing fingers here, or naming names because you KNOW who you are). I spent almost 2 hours on the computer and phone calling some of the places listed near David's area and the ones who WILL take cats are way too expensive ($2,700 a month). There is a lot more going on here than people are aware.

From what I've read, David was just asking people's advice. Don't smack him because he decided not to take it. He is doing what is best for Marigold UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. Any of you walk a mile in David's shoes then come back and talk. Marigold is going to a wonderful home, not being put in a cage where she'll be depressed. Cats do adapt. Look at the one's I've had to rehome. Point made.

There are major changes going on in his life right now and he needs our support, not snotty remarks about what he should or shouldn't do. Both David's brothers are giving David enough of a hard time. Please just lighten up. Say and prayer and light a candle.

[katladyd]

moosmom, thank you for standing up for David. No one wants to give up their pet unless it is absolutely necessary. He did what was in the best interests of Marigold, not everyone on here. I don't know David, but what he did, he did from love.:love: I admire him!

[Cinder & Smoke]

There is a lot more going on here than people are aware.

Both David's brothers are giving David enough of a hard time.

These thoughts have crossed my mind before ...

Maybe its time to consult with a Trusted Friend, someone from the Church,
or someone from the Social Services agencies to review David's situation
and review his choices BEFORE the house, the car, his finances, and his belongings
are lost forever.

/s/ Phred

[blue]

MoosMom, thank you.

Im sure David has been through more then enough coming to this decision.

Ive got some pics of my parents cats I need to pull off of my phone and share with yall.

[carole]

Woah some are way too judgmental here, and yes you know who you are as Donna said, I like to think i know David reasonably well and i think to say such harsh things towards him are totally uncalled for, YOU are not in his situation, YOU do not know him as i do.

If Marigold is going to a loving home and is happy ,that is what matters here,if David felt he could no longer cope or could give her the best life possible he should be commended not ridiculed for his actions,it takes a brave person to part with their loved pet,and David did what he had to for the right reasons.

Not one of us here should make these judgments until you know the full story or have walked in his shoes.

Knowing David as i do he will be very hurt by a certain post.

So much criticism goes on here at PT sometimes it is just way over board,PEOPLE are important too,and Davids situation,dilemma,was one he felt he could share with many of his friends here who care and understand where he is coming from.,he came here for compassion,understanding,not to be kicked when he is already down.

Not one of us here knows what the future holds for us, anyone of us could be faced with re-homing a pet for what ever reason.It could happen to you any time.

[blue]

if David felt he could no longer cope or could give her the best life possible he should be commended not ridiculed for his actions,it takes a brave person to part with their loved pet,and David did what he had to for the right reasons.

I whole heartedly agree.

ETA: I personaly would find it easier to rehome my dogs then to rehome Erp. David my thoughts and prayers go out you.

[moosmom]

Thank you Carole!!!

[Taz_Zoee]

Wow, I just caught up on this thread. :( While I am extremely sad that Marigold can not be with David, I am happy she is going to another home and not to a shelter.

David, I will try to post more pictures of Paizly for you. :)