Booger (Rocki) is Going to her Permanent Home Tues

Well, Booger (Rocki) is the cat that started it all. I wrote about her in the essay contest. She's the one who rescued my hubby from a cat-hating fate.

We rescued Lazlo and Shelly before we considered bringing Boog inside full time, and well, we had to make the hard decision to find her a permanent home. She is fiercely independent and a strong survivor. But she is so sweet and such a love. I'm writing a letter to the woman adopting her - she needs a heavy blanket for her lap because Booger DROOLS and KNEADS when petted! And she wants love for hours. Of course, I'm sure her nails will be clipped, but because she lived outside, we never clipped them - and they are SHARP!

She is leaving NJ for Portland, OR on Tuesday. Maine Coon Rescue has done a fabulous job, and has found her transportation. We just have to get her to the Philadelphia airport, and she goes from there.

I love my Booger cat so much, and I am going to miss her very, very much. I've agonized over this and got lots of support from all who visit the feral forum. I'm crying as I write this and Gary's going to have to force me to hand her over, I'm sure (despite the fairly recent back surgery!).

But I wanted to share my Booger cat with all of you. We took this pic today. I look terrible, but I don't care.

Aww Laurie!! Don't be too upset or you'll start me off!!!
Booger looks absolutely beautiful!! And so do you!! (I wish I looked like that when I look "awful"!!!! )
It must be so difficult for you, but you've done a wonderful job and are about to make two lives, very very happy!! (Booger and the new owner)
I know Booger is extrememly grateful to you for everything you've done for her.
Cheer up love, you're doing a wonderful thing!!

PS, let us all know how she settles in her new home!!

Oh, Laurie, this must be so bittersweet for you, having to give up Boog, but to a good loving home. I hope you know that my thoughts are with you and Gary and Boog today. Take care of yourself!

Christy

Just think of all the love Boog is going to get and that will help get you thru!

Don't forget to tell the lady to post pics on here!

Myste - that's a great suggestion! I was going to mention TCS in my letter to her (of course), but it hadn't occurred to me to suggest that - what a great idea.

There has been a hitch, so Boog won't be going tomorrow - I think this is a regular run for this flight attendant, so I don't know if it'll be later this week or next week - but the good news (for me) is that I might get to spend another week with Boog.

The bad news is our car broke down, and it won't be fixed until tomorrow afternoon. Which means we can't get Booger to the Vet today to get her health certificate (necessary for flying) - we live in a remote area and there are no Taxis we can use that won't cost an absorbitant (Sp?) amount, and as the RV Park office is closed and there are no neighbors around, we have no one from which to bum a ride. We also wouldn't be able to get her to the airport tomorrow. So it'll have to wait until the next time the woman flies to Portland.

Thank you all so much for reminding me that I'm doing the right thing. I've told everyone on here that I don't think I could foster - and I'm right! We kept Munchkin ( ), and I'm having such a hard time with letting Booger go. But at least I have time now to say my good-byes. Finding out Saturday that she was leaving Tues was kind of a shock. So this is one time that I'm glad we've had car problems! It bought me at least a few more days with my Booger girl.

Laurie, I'm sorry about your car problems, but perhaps someone out (up) there is giving you a bit more time with Boog. She is a real beauty! I'm sure Debbie will love her every bit as much as you do. I don't know if this is good protocol when adopting out a cat, but I would also include in your letter to be sure to contact you if for any reason it doesn't work out, that you have options in her area of people who would take her.

Cherish your first girl in the time you have left with her, and like I said in the Feral's thread, reassure her and yourself that she is going to a loving home where she can be spoiled rotten like she should be.

Laurie...this story is breaking my heart! That is the exact reason why I don't think I could foster. I would never be able to let them go!

My heart aches for you...but my mind says you are doing the right thing for Boog. Please tell her new family about us so they can share Booger's adventures with us all.

The Latest Update

I am SOOOO relieved. You know, everything DOES happen for a reason, even if it is not apparent to us at the moment.

First of all, Maine Coon Rescue is not mad. (Phew!). Second of all, I found out the previously planned itinerary. It wasn't a direct flight! Booger would have had to travel to Dallas, spend the night at the flight attendant's home, and then fly to Portland. For cats living inside who like people, that might work - but not my Boog!

Although no one likes to fly their cats cargo, I've gotten lots of great advice from members of TCS about how to do it. So now I've got to contact airlines and find her several direct flight options. I'll e-mail them to the MCR co-ordinator, who will forward them to her new mom. Once she picks a flight, I'll book it! Now I'll be able to get her the recommended (herbal) anxiety drops, etc.

I also found out that my MCR coordinator recommends that I write a letter to Boog's new mom, and the MCR lady is going to put us in touch via e-mail! Yeah!

Laurie - I have been following the story of your cats for a while now, (and it makes me wonder why I am hesitating about adding a second cat to my household!) This thread, and the photo of you with Booger made me cry - tears pouring down my face.

But then I am also reading about how happy people are with their new family members, and I am imagining how much love your wonderful cat will bring to her new family. I did go and look in the feral forum, and from the description there, it sounds like you have found a really wonderful home. Doesn't make giving her up any easier, but at least you won't have to wonder how she is doing.

Janet (Sam's mom)

Calra, that's a brilliant idea. It would be SO cool if Booger's new mummy could continue his story for us all at TCS.

It's like we feel we know him and have become attached to him and it would be lovely to know how he's settling in Oregon and what he gets up to!

Laurie, You have already received some wonderful thoughts from our friends. I don't know what's left to say. We have all become attached to Rocki, the beautiful cat who won all of our hearts. I wish it was reasonable for you to keep all the cats who have come to you for help, but it just isn't. So, you had to weigh the costs,
no home, no special people to love, and a cage for
Rocki against the inevitable sadness you are suffering. In your case, there was no choice. My heart goes out to you. God bless you for caring for his special little creatures. You are one of His earthly agents.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

by Cecil Frances Alexander

Laurie, my heart goes out to you! But you ARE doing the right thing!

I'm glad you found out about the flight in time and that she'll be flying direct after all. It's important to keep the stress level as low as possible.

Give her one more kiss and hug from me will you?

And both of you look georgeous! I can only echo Rhea here - wish I looked on a good day like you look in that picture

Aw...you guys are so sweet! I guess today's a crying day. I think the sleep deprivation is contributing. There's been a bout of sleeplessness mentioned in the Daily Thread - I must have caught it.

Janet - all I can say is GO FOR IT! We're all here to help if there are problems, and with a little reading on this site (or even just a post and wait for replies) you'll have all the tips you need to make the introduction go smoothly.

We thought Booger wanted to be just "one cat" - even outside. But after a month or so, she let the kittens eat out of her bowl, she lets them rub up against her. Whenever she's had enough she lets them know with a growl or a swat - but no harm is ever done by her. She certainly surprised us! And while I'm sure Lazlo would have been happy as an alone inside kitty, he so enjoys having a pal around. We take them everywhere together - if one has to go to the Vet, we take them both, and they curl up together. Even introducing little Munchkin. It seemed kind of touch-and-go there at first - but it's truly amazing how it's changed them. They both strut around here, tails up - and both of the boys are more loving than they used to be! I mean it!!!

...and Lazlo always bolts for his crate (next to the bed) when something freaks him out (a lawnmower, a large rig driving by, a storm, etc.). I don't know what it was that set it off this morning - but we noticed we couldn't see Lazlo OR Munchkin. We poked around all their places (because we hadn't heard anything that would have set them off) - but the last place we checked was the crate - and there were Lazlo and Munchkin curled up together! She's never been in Laz's crate before.

There is no doubt that there are some cats that need to be single cats. But I guess that is the rare case. After the first few unsettling days or weeks, I think most become "friends" and are glad to have a pal around during those sometimes long hours we're all out at work.

Laurie

I sent a long list of dates and times for direct flights from Newark to Portland on which we can ship Boog.

The MCR Coodinator wrote back quickly, just to let me know she was already aware that if Boog doesn't go to Portland before the 22nd, then it can't be until the first week of December (I didn't send info THAT far out!).

I bummed when I heard that. If Debbie is traveling, why would she even want to have Boog shipped out there before the first week of December? I HATE not being in direct contact already. It's like playing grapevine - and I hear stuff like this and I now have to question this lady's judgment!

Any way, there's a really small chance but.... Gary and I have been interviewing with a Portland based firm. IF we get to that point in negotiations, the first week of December is probaby when we'd have to fly out to corporate.... So there's a slight chance we can take her ourselves! Then I can meet this Debbie - and see if Boog is staying with her - or going directly to Mary Anne's!!!

Either way, at least I've ordered the Pet Nutridrops for the flight, and now I've had time to get everything I need for her to travel.

Gosh, Laurie, what a roller coaster! It does make you wonder a bit, about the lady going out of town...maybe it's nothing, and maybe we are all just too protective. That would be so cool if you could take her out there yourself! Regardless, you could still meet Mary Anne somewhere, I bet.

Laurie!

That would be wonderful to meet you and Gary and your family. Again, I will be happy to take Boog anytime. Sounds like quite a hodgepodge of chaos going on for this poor kitty. But hey, if it means I get to meet you two and show you my world that would be wonderful! I can also meet you somewhere if you can't quite make it out here to me.

Good luck with all of this- no wonder you started smoking again!

Thank God Boog doesn't know any of this is going on!!!! It's business as usual for her.

Strange thing is... I haven't heard back from anyone about my question.

I think I figured out the problem. I don't think my MCR co-ordinator is in direct contact with Boog's potential new mom. I think a different MCR co-ordinator is in touch with the "adopter." So this is kind of like a game of "telephone."

Should I just as my MCR co-ordinator to have the potential adopter contact me directly? It doesn't hurt to ask, does it?

You may as well ask, sounds like it would be a lot easier for everyone if the 2 of you spoke to each other directly.

After reading your post about Booger, my heart goes out to you and Gary and I hope knowing that the wonderful thing you have done for her by taking her in and being able to give her a new loving home eases some of your pain.

All the best to you

Marie