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- Aug 5, 2015
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Hello everyone,
It's my first time posting here so I apologize if this thread is on the wrong forum. This is really long but I really really need help/advice/support. I'm going crazy with guilt.
In January 2014 I adopted my three month old kitten, Hazel, from a shelter. She's very timid but adjusted pretty well to the house, although she's still scared of loud noises and hasn't completely warmed up to all the members of my family. I love her so much and I care for her more than I care for myself. Hazel is 10 months old now.
Recently, we traveled to Egypt, something we do every summer. I didn't think twice about bringing Hazel with us-- she's a part of the family. She rode in the cabin of the plane with me. The trip here could only be described as HELL. The vet had me sedate her before traveling but the plane ride is about 11 hours so she woke up half way through. The poor baby was so upset. she never meows at ALL but she was meowing like crazy on the plane. My heart was aching for her. I have really bad anxiety so this entire experience was so horrible for me. Back to the point.
We've been in Egypt for a month now and my parents have decided to stay the year. Hazel is just beginning to slowly adjust to the new house, but is still really anxious.
The problem I'm having right now is that I've been thinking about our future with Hazel. I love her like crazy but I'm beginning to think we might not be the right family for her. We travel for 6 weeks every year from Egypt to the states and vice versa, and I don't want to do that to her. I feel like she shouldn't have to go through that stress for the rest of her life. It must have some terrible effect on her health, right? She's already a very anxious cat and all this travel would only make it worse I think. So I started thinking that there must be solution to the travel issue, like pet sitters or something but unfortunately they don't have trusted pet sitters in Egypt and I wouldn't ever dream of leaving Hazel alone that long. The only option would be to take her with us which isn't something I want to do. I've read online that moving and traveling can cause depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues in cats and I don't want to cause that to happen. Another thing is that vet care isn't really good in Egypt and I'm so worried that she could get sick and I won't be able to take care of her. I don't know what I'd do if she died because I couldn't get her proper health care.
All of this thinking has led me to thinking about rehoming her. I never thought I'd be one of those people but I've just been thinking that this is the only option. The thought alone makes me cry so hard but I don't want to doom her to a bad life with us. I don't want to traumatize her with all the travel. I don't think living in Egypt is safe for her either. I don't know what to do. This is tearing me apart. I've been feeling so guilty whenever I look at her beautiful green eyes now because of these thoughts but I just can't get rid of them. All I want is for my cat to be happy and healthy.
Please give me your honest opinions on what I should do. I'm so torn.
It's my first time posting here so I apologize if this thread is on the wrong forum. This is really long but I really really need help/advice/support. I'm going crazy with guilt.
In January 2014 I adopted my three month old kitten, Hazel, from a shelter. She's very timid but adjusted pretty well to the house, although she's still scared of loud noises and hasn't completely warmed up to all the members of my family. I love her so much and I care for her more than I care for myself. Hazel is 10 months old now.
Recently, we traveled to Egypt, something we do every summer. I didn't think twice about bringing Hazel with us-- she's a part of the family. She rode in the cabin of the plane with me. The trip here could only be described as HELL. The vet had me sedate her before traveling but the plane ride is about 11 hours so she woke up half way through. The poor baby was so upset. she never meows at ALL but she was meowing like crazy on the plane. My heart was aching for her. I have really bad anxiety so this entire experience was so horrible for me. Back to the point.
We've been in Egypt for a month now and my parents have decided to stay the year. Hazel is just beginning to slowly adjust to the new house, but is still really anxious.
The problem I'm having right now is that I've been thinking about our future with Hazel. I love her like crazy but I'm beginning to think we might not be the right family for her. We travel for 6 weeks every year from Egypt to the states and vice versa, and I don't want to do that to her. I feel like she shouldn't have to go through that stress for the rest of her life. It must have some terrible effect on her health, right? She's already a very anxious cat and all this travel would only make it worse I think. So I started thinking that there must be solution to the travel issue, like pet sitters or something but unfortunately they don't have trusted pet sitters in Egypt and I wouldn't ever dream of leaving Hazel alone that long. The only option would be to take her with us which isn't something I want to do. I've read online that moving and traveling can cause depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues in cats and I don't want to cause that to happen. Another thing is that vet care isn't really good in Egypt and I'm so worried that she could get sick and I won't be able to take care of her. I don't know what I'd do if she died because I couldn't get her proper health care.
All of this thinking has led me to thinking about rehoming her. I never thought I'd be one of those people but I've just been thinking that this is the only option. The thought alone makes me cry so hard but I don't want to doom her to a bad life with us. I don't want to traumatize her with all the travel. I don't think living in Egypt is safe for her either. I don't know what to do. This is tearing me apart. I've been feeling so guilty whenever I look at her beautiful green eyes now because of these thoughts but I just can't get rid of them. All I want is for my cat to be happy and healthy.
Please give me your honest opinions on what I should do. I'm so torn.