Should we just take Jasper

catsknowme

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Originally Posted by Graciecat

I just want Jasper to be safe, warm, fed and loved.
All I can do now is talk to Nicole tomorrow and see how she acts when I ask about him.

Thank God I've never had to go through looking for a lost cat.
I can only imagine how heartbreaking it must be, to worry and wonder if the cat is alive or dead.
Wanting to know the truth but dreading finding out all at the same time.

Whether he lives his life out here with us or with Nicole as long as he's taken care of is all that matters to me.
Bless you for caring so much!! Yes, it is very heartbreaking to have a cat go missing - I have several ones in that situation, and I still wonder

Maybe Nicole will allow you to foster him until her situation is more stable. At least she is working, which is a plus. And she owes you(and Jasper) a good explanation why she didn't take him when she left. Even if she left hitchhiking, she should've tried to find him. Actually, it seems that she should have gone looking for him when he first got kicked out.
Sending vibes that Jasper is officially yours tomorrow!
 
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graciecat

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I'm going to leave to talk to Nicole at around noon...it's 10:19 AM here now.
I'll let you all know what happens.
 
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graciecat

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Sorry it took me so long to update everyone, but I got home Thursday from talking to Nicole I was home about 10 minutes and some kind of flu, virus..something hit me out of nowhere.
This is going to be the abridged version, because sitting up to long makes me really dizzy!

Jasper will be staying here until the first of the month.

I'll fill in the blanks as soon as I'm able to sit up for more than 5 minutes at a time.
 

eilcon

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Hope you feel better soon. Sounds like your meeting with Nicole was productive and Jasper will be taken care. Bless you for taking action on his part.
 
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graciecat

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Thanks ladies I do feel a LITTLE better, but if this post just sort of stops mid thought it'll be because I got dizzy and fell off the chair


Hold onto your hats, it's going to be a LONG one!!!

When Nicole saw me walk into that store and walk towards her, that girls eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
She knows I live across the street, but she doesn't really KNOW me and I could tell by the look in her eye that she was hoping and Praying that I had Jasper news.

She grabbed my hand and said "Please tell me you found my Jasper and that he's okay"
So I told her the whole story.
Tears just started running down her face.
She asked me to wait a second while she called her boss to see if she could take a break.
He told her she could so we went outside to talk.

Jasper was her Grandmothers cat...her Grandmother died in October...when Grandma died Nicole took Jasper.
She said that her Grandma loved Jasper with all her heart and that she did too.
She told me her parents died when she and her brother were very young and that their Grandmother had raised them.
She said they always had at least 5 indoor only cats when she was growing up, but that Jasper was an only cat at the time of Grandma's death.

Like me, her Grandmother had always wanted a Maine Coon but just couldn't bring herself to spend that kind of money on one cat, when for the price she could go to a shelter and adopt several cats.
I had a feeling Jasper was Maine Coon, but wasn't sure.
Apparently every shelter within 200 miles of here knew her Grandmother by name because she had adopted almost all of her cats from one particular shelter but had always told them to be on the look-out for a Maine Coon and if they got one they were to call her immediately.
They had also promised to check with other shelters around to see if any Maine Coons ever showed up at their shelters.

A little over 2 years ago she got the call she'd been waiting for, one of the shelters had Jasper, two little girls, their Mother and their Father.
She said they wouldn't go into details, but she said it sounded to her like the cats had been taken away from the breeder.
I guess Jasper has no papers saying that he's a pure bred Maine Coon, but that her Grandmother said that wasn't something she cared about.
She said her and her Grandmother both fell in love with Jasper the second they saw him and it's so easy to see why, he's a beautiful boy
.

Now for the low down.
Jasper is almost 3 years old and he IS neutered...something I figured out for myself.
When I looked at him I thought he was either neutered or his "bits" where deformed..because there's nothing there

Her and her boyfriend were renting an apartment in a duplex...the house was sold and the new owners told everyone that lived there that they had to get rid of their pets...the old owner allowed cats and dogs.
The ex-boyfriend called his Mother and she said they could move in there until they found somewhere else to go.
She said "Mom" was like Dr. Jerky and Mr. Hyde...she said she was a nice as she could be..until Nicole moved in!
Just on a side note...we've lived here almost 2 years and "Mom" is the only one on the street that only speaks if you speak to her first....everyone else here is SO nice and SO friendly.
The other "Stray Cat Feeder" on the street told me that "Mom" was a "bit of an oddball".

Doom belonged to someone else who lived in their old building, they left her when they moved out so Nicole and the "ex" just took her.
The hawk didn't get Doom, Nicole said she saw her in the upstairs window of the people who live next door to me.
She said she never told the "ex" what she saw and that she never will, she said if he didn't care enough to look then he could go right on thinking that the hawk ate her.

Jasper DID claw ONE comforter...NOT four.
Jasper DID NOT eat a two pound box of chocolate covered peanuts....Mom had a candy dish sitting on the coffee table that had the peanuts in it...Jasper was playing with the candy in the dish, Nicole said he MAY have eaten one, but didn't eat 2 pounds.
She said the day before "mom's" dog was eating out of the candy dish and she said she told "Mom" that chocolate wasn't good for dogs...she said "mom" said he eats out of the candy dish all the time.
I guess it's okay for the dog to eat out of the dish, but not okay for the cat to think the candy is a toy!
I've had cats all my life and I know better than to leave a dish full of round things sitting out...it's like a toy store for a cat


Mom's dog DID bite Jasper and Nicole DID take him to the Vet and he DID have an E collar.
The "ex" is the one who took the collar off threw it in the outside garbage can when Nicole was at work and Mom then threw Jasper out...again when Nicole was at work.
She said she came home from work and found Jasper sitting on the front porch, so she left him back in and Mom and "ex" had a fit...because Jasper hissed at the dog...rolls eyes...she said "He's as nuts as his Mother"


"Mom" said since Jasper had been outside he HAD to wear a flea collar because he now had fleas...I checked, he doesn't.
Nicole said she told them that NO cat should ever wear a flea collar, but they put it on him anyway.

She said that she was never right, that the "ex" thought his mother knew everything.
She said it was then that she knew her brother was right and that the "ex" was nothing but a loser.
She called her brother and he said that she and Jasper could come live with him, his Wife and little boy.

The "ex" got PO'd he knew Jasper was the most important thing in the world to her and that he knew he could get to her if he tossed Jasper out so he did.
Jasper sat on the porch, Nicole went outside to get him and put him in her car the "ex" ran out ahead of her and hit Jasper with a broom and he took off.

She said she walked up and down our street and the surrounding ones calling for and looking for Jasper but she couldn't find him.
So she went to her Brothers...and came back every day after work looking for him.
I asked her why she didn't knock on doors and she said she figured that "mom" had got to everyone and told them some kind of lies about her, so she didn't think if anyone on that street had Jasper that they'd give him back to her anyway.
I don't know where Jasper hide that night, it's hard to tell...it must have been the next day or day after that I saw him and stuck him on the back porch...it's a sun porch really, so he can't leave.

After she told me her story I knew I had to give him back to her, it was clear just how much he means to her.
I told her that if there ever comes a time when she can't keep him or needs someone to watch him for a while that she doesn't even need to think twice because I'd be more than happy to either keep him for good or look after him for as long as is needed.
That's when she asked me if I would mind keeping him until the first of the month.
She's living with her Brother now, but will be moving into her own place the first of Feb.
She said her Brother was fine with Jasper being there, but that she wasn't sure just how cat friendly her 2 year old nephew would be and that she'd feel better if Jasper was where she knew he'd be safe.
She said she wasn't afraid that Jasper would bite her nephew, she was afraid that her nephew would bite Jasper.


I wish with all my heart the we could have kept him, but it's clear to me just how much Jasper and Nicole love each other...she's been here every night since to see him.
She wanted to give us money for cat food....there's no way in the world we're going to take her money.
I would hope that if God forbid one of our cats ever got out, that someone would take care of them until we could find them and do it out of the goodness of their heart and not for the money they could make by doing it.

So there you have it, sorry it took you 15 minutes to read this very long post.
 

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Oh my! I'm glad she's out of there, as is Jasper. Now they can be together, furr-ever. That's wonderful of you to take care of him until she moves into her new place!
 

glitch

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Maybe you could move her in! That way you have the best of both worlds! Jasper and Knowing he's safe!


Im glad you found his Meowmy, it was a very nobel thing to do... I probably would have kept the kitty without giving her a second though, just because of the people she hang out with....

Good luck with everything and keep us posted!
 

eilcon

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Wow. What an ordeal for Jasper and Nicole. She must be so relieved to know he's okay and being cared for. You did a wonderful thing for both of them!
 

twstychik

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Originally Posted by eilcon

Wow. What an ordeal for Jasper and Nicole. She must be so relieved to know he's okay and being cared for. You did a wonderful thing for both of them!
I know it's probably hard for you since he seems to be such a lovable cat but she seems so genuine in her concern for him. Like she said, so many others would have just kept him to themselves.
Your a hero to them both I'm sure!
 
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graciecat

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When Mason came home from work on Thursday and I told him what happened the first thing is said to me was "I'll bet you're sorry you talked to her now."
This from the man who told me we couldn't just steal the neighbors cat...I guess Jasper grew on him


Yes, part of me is sorry that we can't keep him, but I know in my heart that he belongs with Nicole.
It'll be a sad day when he leaves, but as long as he's happy and well taken care of that's the most important thing.

Our kids are upset that we can't keep him, but I told them to think how they'd feel if Gracie, Annabelle or Elliott somehow got lost and were found and the person who found them wouldn't give them back.
Our little girl said "Oh Mommy, I'd cry and cry and cry the way I did when Lizzie died, Mommy I don't ever want to be that sad again."
That broke my heart, because I know there will come a time...I pray that it's years and years down the road... that she will be that sad again whether it's the death of one of the other cats or a human family member.
I didn't go there, I know I probably should have but that's for another day.

We just told them that when we least expect it another cat will find us.
Spring isn't that far off and that seems to be the time when people dump their cats on our street

If that doesn't happen then there will be one at that shelter someday that needs us.
Hopefully the shelter will soon get an older cat that doesn't mind other cats or little kids
 

cata_mint

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You get the best of both worlds. You can keep in touch with Nicole and visit/cat-sit Jasper, AND you get to pick out the perfect shelter kitty when he/she comes along.
 
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graciecat

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Nicole already gave me the address for her new apartment...it's just down the block from our kids school.
I told her I plan on visiting then often

She said I could come everyday if I wanted
 

catsknowme

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Originally Posted by Graciecat

Nicole already gave me the address for her new apartment...it's just down the block from our kids school.
I told her I plan on visiting then often

She said I could come everyday if I wanted
OMG, what a wonderful story to read (except that you've been ill
).
Sooo, Jasper's an MC!!! Just like JC, neutered, no papers but with an MC, who cares
Certainly not the MC (if they spoke, they'd imitate the Mexican in Humphrey Bogart's Treasure of the Sierra Madre who said, "Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges" and meow, "Papers? We don't need no stinkin' papers!!
). MC's do THRIVE on the attention of children, so hope that your kids visit Jasper often!!!
I like to think of Jasper's first owner, up over RB, surrounded by lots & lots of RB kitties, interceding with the angels to guide all the earthly actions below, because IMHO, this story shows DIVINE inspiration

A few minutes ago, I was scared and devastated cuz my DH requested a separation, and possibly divorce, but Jasper's (and yours) particular story (and several PMs from oh-so-wonderful TCSers) are giving me strength and renewing my faith that my life situation (and that of my disabled daughter, and all my kitties & rescue-kitties) will be OK...
Thank you sosoo much for posting!! And I hope that you're healthy again, because mommies don't get time off for being sick. Sending {{{prayers and vibes}}} out to you, your kids & kits, Jasper, Nichole and to your MC-to-be, wherever he or she is right now, that you find each other soon!!!!
 
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graciecat

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I'm feeling lots better now.

I can just hear Jasper saying that too!

Yes, the kids will be visting him often...I think they'd be sleeping out on the sun porch with him at night if we'd let them.
I think you're right, Grandma did have a hand in keeping Jasper safe until I grabbed him and I think she used the thing with Jasper to get Nicole out of a bad relationship before it was to late.

I'm so sorry that you, your daughter and furkids are going through all of that.
Hold your head high, keep that faith and everything will work out for the best.
I'll keep you, your daughter and furkids in my thoughts and Prayers.
 
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graciecat

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Here we go again!!

Earlier this evening I was in the kitchen and I could hear a cat crying and crying.
Since the sun porch is the room right next to the kitchen I thought it was Jasper.
I went out there and Jasper was sitting and just staring out the window.
At first I couldn't see what he was looking at and then I heard the crying again...it wasn't Jasper, it was Jack...the cat that belongs to Nicole's ex.
I guess he must have done something wrong because now he's outside...or he was...he's on the sun porch with Jasper now.
It's 7 freakin' degrees outside
...why oh why would anyone with a brain let a cat outside in this kind of weather?

Jack and Jasper were thrilled to see each other, they were rubbing up againest each other and grooming each other...and the first thing Jack did was gobble up all the food his little tummy could hold..poor little guy

Nicole worked yesterday, so she was off today...she just left.
She told me that she'll just take Jack with her when she takes Jasper.
They get along great and like Nicole said being that she works so much Jack and Jasper will keep each other company.

I don't look at this as "stealing" Jack....I don't know how long he's been outside and they haven't come looking for him...so I look at it as abuse
and neglect
and don't feel one bit bad that I put him on the porch with Jasper or letting Nicole take him with her.
Like I said it's 7 degrees outside...the sun porch has heater that's set at 50 so at least Jack will be nice and warm and with his buddy Jasper.

The only bad thing is that Jack is not neutered and as all of you know un-neutered cat pee smells AWFUL...oh well, at least he's safe and warm.
I haven't told Mason yet, but I think I might call our Vet and see if I can get Jack in to be neutered before he leaves.
The last thing I want is for Nicole's new neighbors to complain about smelling cat pee and then have her new landlord change his mind about allowing her to have cats, plus I won't have to hold my breath when I scoop out his litter box


Mason has started to call me Dr. Dolittle

He said he thinks the strays must have a hotline and they tell each other "Go to that house, they'll feed you and keep you warm"
 

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Originally Posted by Graciecat

Here we go again!!

Earlier this evening I was in the kitchen and I could hear a cat crying and crying.
Since the sun porch is the room right next to the kitchen I thought it was Jasper.
I went out there and Jasper was sitting and just staring out the window.
At first I couldn't see what he was looking at and then I heard the crying again...it wasn't Jasper, it was Jack...the cat that belongs to Nicole's ex.
I guess he must have done something wrong because now he's outside...or he was...he's on the sun porch with Jasper now.
It's 7 freakin' degrees outside
...why oh why would anyone with a brain let a cat outside in this kind of weather?

Jack and Jasper were thrilled to see each other, they were rubbing up againest each other and grooming each other...and the first thing Jack did was gobble up all the food his little tummy could hold..poor little guy

Nicole worked yesterday, so she was off today...she just left.
She told me that she'll just take Jack with her when she takes Jasper.
They get along great and like Nicole said being that she works so much Jack and Jasper will keep each other company.

I don't look at this as "stealing" Jack....I don't know how long he's been outside and they haven't come looking for him...so I look at it as abuse
and neglect
and don't feel one bit bad that I put him on the porch with Jasper or letting Nicole take him with her.
Like I said it's 7 degrees outside...the sun porch has heater that's set at 50 so at least Jack will be nice and warm and with his buddy Jasper.

The only bad thing is that Jack is not neutered and as all of you know un-neutered cat pee smells AWFUL...oh well, at least he's safe and warm.
I haven't told Mason yet, but I think I might call our Vet and see if I can get Jack in to be neutered before he leaves.
The last thing I want is for Nicole's new neighbors to complain about smelling cat pee and then have her new landlord change his mind about allowing her to have cats, plus I won't have to hold my breath when I scoop out his litter box


Mason has started to call me Dr. Dolittle

He said he thinks the strays must have a hotline and they tell each other "Go to that house, they'll feed you and keep you warm"
Dr. Dolittle!? That's funny!!

Not such a bad thing to be known in the cat underground as a safe haven!
 

catsknowme

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Originally Posted by AddieBee

Dr. Dolittle!? That's funny!!

Not such a bad thing to be known in the cat underground as a safe haven!
Yup, you are a true cat hero

I am thrilled that Jack will be rehomed with Jasper. I hope that you can get some financial assistance in getting Jack neutered
 
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