Baxter up for rehoming

[Crewella]

With a very heavy heart I'm putting the gorgeous Baxter up for rehoming. In many ways he's settled in beautifully here, he's eager to please and is learning the rules of the house fast, but he's also growing in confidence ........ and starting to try to dominatethe rest of my cats. He had a fight with Daz last night and Daz is now scared of him, and I found all three of my boys huddled in my office this morning, looking miserable. Poor Basil has barely come out from under the sideboard since Baxter got the run of the house, and things now seem to be getting worse and not better. The only cat not bothered by him is Grumpy Nellie as he seems to leave her alone and just go for the boys.

I'd love to have kept him, but I feel it's not fair on my gang. Poor Basil has been ill recently and he deserves better than this, and I'm always very aware of stress factors with Daz and his history of urinary blockages.

I seem to be failing at foster failing! I would have kept Teasel the foster before Baxter, but I feel I have to put the cats' feelings first. Teasel is very happy in her new home as an only cat, and I'm sure the beautiful Baxter will have no problems finding the perfect home too. If there was a good reason to persevere, I probably would ......... but it doesn't seem fair to my gang to force another cat on them when he can perfectly easily find somewhere that will suit him better, just because I really like him.

[bobbys girl]

I'm sorry Helen, you will miss him. But it does seem to be the best thing for all concerned (except you )

He should have no problems finding a loving home and hopefully they will be the sort of people who will keep in touch and let you know how he is.

I sometimes think Gracie would have been happier in a one cat household. She can be such a disagreeable little baggage! She is always grumbling at the others. Usually they ignore her, but when they do strike back she makes SUCH a fuss - typical playground bully. I couldn't let her go now - but it would be a lot more peaceful around here!

I'm sure your boys would be happier.

[greenkitty]

You have to do the right thing for your resident furries so if you don't think it will work then it's the kindest thing all round. Lovely Baxter deserves to be king of his own castle just as your resident furries deserve to, he's a lovely boy I'm sure some furslave will snap him up. Sending hugs x

[booktigger]

I'm sure it won't be hard to home him. It's good that you're failing though, the whole idea of fostering is to find them a good home, and that is rarely with us. Being able to accept that and look for a home despite wanting to keep them is a good thing, or you risk either becoming a hoarder or having behavioural/medical issues with your own cats, and at the end of the day, they have to come first.

[Crewella]

Thanks guys. xx

I'm absolutely gutted, but I know you're right. I do technically have a space (or two) for another cat of my own since I've lost both Peaches and Minnie this year, but it will have to be the right cat that fits in with the rest of the gang.

I always did feel a bit funny about adopting Baxter - I do feel that I really should take on a more 'difficult' cat that would struggle to find a home otherwise. Baxter is such a beaut, and such a great personality, that he'll have no difficulty finding somewhere quickly - everyone who meets him (including two vets and the lady who transported him) falls for him!

[SarahT1 [PLLE]]

I do feel for you, Helen. You are obviously doing the right thing but it doesn't make it any easier when you already love him. A big hug to you and hoping Baxter finds his perfect home soon. Xx

[luvmycat]

all Cats deserve a good home.

[Crewella]

Poor Baxter got taken to the cattery today, as he hates it out alone in the outdoor pen, and if he's indoors the rest of the gang can hear and smell him and are still getting stressed. I've never felt so mean as I did leaving him there, I snuffled all the way home, but I know they'll take good care of him and he should find the right home quickly.

They had no actual spaces, so I've 'swopped' him for another foster cat - a very shy little black and white girl who needs socialising. I'm hoping she'll benefit from some one-on-one time and she's now installed in my spare room. Onwards and upwards.

[luvmycat]

thats so sad

[Crewella]

I was really upset yesterday, but last night I watched my cats gradually come back into the living room and take up their usual spots again. You could almost see the relief on their faces, and I felt a lot better seeing them happy again.

They're good cats and cope very well with the comings and goings of various fosters in the spare room and outdoor pen, and I know their individual reactions to a new cat pretty well. Baxter had become more and more dominant and possessive of me and was definitely trying to drive them away - he'd had a proper rolling-on-the-floor fight with both Daz and Basil, which I'd had to break up, and they were both scared of him. I could see that this wasn't just 'new cat settling in' problems, and I'm quite sure I've done the right thing.

So's Basil.

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[JulieandBarney]

Hi Helen....You did the only thing you could have done in the circumstances, bless you, but it sounds as though Baxter would be best suited to being the 'only cat on the block' as it were, I am sure that he will find a lovely new home, where he can rule the roost....you have to think of the welfare of ALL of your cats, and this you did, you did your level best...x

[meriad]

Aw, look at Basil - he's quite chilled there. And lots of good luck to Baxter - I'm sure it won't be long before he'll land on his paws with the perfect forever home for him.

What's newbie girl called? (and apologies in advance if I missed a thread on her)

[Crewella]

I was just wondering if I should keep posting threads about the fosters ...... so now I have.

She's called Jess.

[HRHFluffy]

Helen you definitely made the right decision about Baxter. The look on Basil's face proves it

As others have said, your gang have to come first. When you think of what Basil has been through, he deserves to feel happy and confident in his own home. The constant stress could have brought on more cystitis for Daz too which isn't a risk worth taking.

Keep the updates coming.

[greenkitty]

Baxter is a lovely chap and I'm sure he'll charm the first people to visit him. I can understand your upset but sometimes cats have other ideas about where the best home is for them and from the look on Basil's face I think he'd agree

Please do keep updating us on the foster furries, I would love to foster but can't with all Hector's health problems and I love to read your updates.

[meriad]

I was just wondering if I should keep posting threads about the fosters ...... so now I have.

Please do. Same as Julia I cannot foster myself (but due to space issues) so I love to hear all about yours. And also - I think it's nice for others to read about what you do and get the honest in's and out's about it from a newbie fosterer as it may well encourage others to do the same

[Cat]

Please do keep updating us on your gang. I so enjoy reading about them all.

[Crewella]

That's good to know, thanks guys. It helps me, too, as I appreciate the support, advice and feedback.

[Crewella]

Please can everyone keep their fingers crossed for Baxter tomorrow? I've just spoken to a lady who's son is looking for a cat after his old cat passed away (at a ripe old age). He wants a companion cat, and sounds the ideal owner for Baxter - someone that will spend lots of time with him, appreciate him for the big soft wuss of a cat that he is and wants to form a real one-to-one bond. He's fallen for Baxter's pic and is going to see him tomorrow afternoon and I'm praying they hit it off.

** I know ..... I'm WAYYYYY too emotionally involved with this cat, but he's such a lovely boy!

[bobbys girl]

Good news! Will have everything crossed for you and Baxter.

[Crewella]

Thanks, Sue. It would just make me feel so much better to know that Baxter has found exactly the sort of home I'd hoped for for him. He's so attentive and intelligent, he would really thrive in a close one-to-one relationship with someone, and it sounds as though this chap, who is really missing the close relationship he had with his old cat, would appreciate Baxter and give him what he needs. They sound made for each other.

I really miss Baxter's meow - he's very chatty, and one of my favourite meows sounds exactly as though he's saying hello ....... 'ewwow'!

[SarahT1 [PLLE]]

Paws crossed that lovely Baxter meets his soul mate today.

[greenkitty]

Oh how exciting, keeping all paws firmly crossed. I'm sure he won't be able to resist Baxter's charms

[Crewella]

Thanks guys. The meeting went well and there was much mutual head-bumping by the end of it - they're coming back to pick him up in a day or two! I'm so pleased and relieved - there were a couple of other enquiries, but this really does sound like the perfect home for Baxter and I'm sure he'll get spoiled rotten!

[SarahT1 [PLLE]]

How lovely! So pleased for Baxter. And it's a weight off your mind, Helen.

[meriad]

Oh yay - happy new home Baxter; hope you and your new human companion will have many happy years together x

[greenkitty]

What lovely news

[Crewella]

I got a lovely update from Baxter's new dad, it really made my week to see pics of him looking so loved, happy and relaxed. I'm now gratefully, absolutely positive that I made the right decision for him - I don't think it would be possible for him to look any happier than in this pic!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d154/ ... a7/012.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bobbys girl]

That is one blissed-out cat. So pleased for you both. x

[greenkitty]

Oh my, how happy is he??!!!!