The cats are in perfect health. I had them for almost 8 months and never had any health issues with them, so I know they are in good shape.

Supposedly her son (the soldier who is now in Iraq) has said that he didn't want the cats when he got back. Although part of me is wondering if that is just being in Iraq and facing the potential for his own mortality...

I made her promise to keep me posted on what she decides. If she does make the final decision to get rid of them I will step in at that time. I just didn't want to make it "easy" for her to think that she could dump her unwanted pets on me...

I tried to explain to her that a dog is MUCH more work than older cats (we had dogs when I was growing up so I know). But she seems set on getting herself a dog. I even suggested that maybe she could get the dog and still keep the cats...