Thanks everyone for your kind words. I have been hesitant to post at the moment - I'm finding it difficult to be positive and cheerful, and I don't want to drag anyone else down with negativity.

Sadly the situation with Connor and Ally is not improving. Ally has been back to the vet again for another infected bite, and I have taken the VERY hard decision to try and find another family for Connor. He is a real luv-bug and there is no way I can send him back to the shelter, especially now that he has gotten used to a family and a home. The shelter are on the look-out for the right family for him, and I have also posted some flyers, so we will see what happens. I think he will do well either as an only cat, or in a multi-cat home - it's just Ally that really needs to be an only cat. I feel that I have really done EVERYTHING (except hormone injections - which I am not comfortable with, as I don't know the long-term implications), and I now have no other choice than to re-home Connor.

My Mum & Dad are not willing to take him, as they are really enjoying their retirement and have plans to travel quite a lot, so they are not going to get a pet any time soon.

Re the other "issues" - as Jen mentioned I didn't receive even 50% of the cards - when I look at it logically the only explanation can be a problem with my postal service, but is WAS dissapointing when I arrived home in January and didn't receive as many cards as I expected. (You know how it goes - when you are feeling down then EVERYTHING gets to you!!)

I am also really missing my family and friends in South Africa at the moment, AND I am unemployed, so I don't have the distraction of going to work every day to keep my head busy!

Sorry for being such a grouch! I'm afraid I'm not very good company at the moment!!

Thanks again to everyone for your kind thoughts and wishes - it really means a lot to me that you are all here - you are the best!!


(((HUGS)))

Julie