Better to have loved and lost...

I remember when I adopted my first feline companion after I moved out of my parents and was on my own many years ago. I thought the sun and moon (and stars) rose because of her, I loved her so. I couldn’t imagine what my life would have been or would be like without her by my side. Then, almost 18 years later I found out. It was beyond horrible. My friends knew how badly I’d take this loss and tried to be supportive. When my grief went on for weeks, they told me to snap out of it. To me, they just didn’t understand. And I vowed I would never go through that again… ever. Well, one month to the day that I buried my beloved cat, a friend called about a stray who had shown up at her house. She already had several and couldn’t take him in. I started to cry and hung up on her. But, of course, I couldn’t resist at least ‘seeing’ him. Me, in denial, told her I’d come by… just to see him. She, knowing me so well, was sure I wouldn’t leave without him. When I got there and they brought him to me, he curled up and fell asleep in my lap, and the rest is history. Several months later, I realized he needed a friend so I adopted another little guy. Then, years later, blending families together led to a couple of more little beauties. And, a couple of dogs…

Sadly, all of those loves except for one are gone now, replaced with others who needed a home. Don’t get me wrong, my heart still breaks into tiny shards after each loss, never fully whole again when it’s pieced back together. But, I realized long ago that I would rather have their very special love and companionship for whatever time I can with them than never to have had them at all. Sound familiar? Well, I’m using it as my guiding principal to be able to do what I do today.

Many years ago I began “hands-on” volunteering with Neponset Valley Humane Society, something I never thought I’d be able to do. My friends thought I was crazy, saying… “You can’t foster cats, you’ll never give them up! When you come to my house, you try to take our animals home with you when you leave.” Yes, I love (and want) them all!!

Sometimes, fate plays a role and when I finally got up the nerve, I met a wise lady also volunteering with NVHS who knew just what to say – “Yes, it’s hard to give them up, but knowing you helped save a life and when you see how happy the families are who get them, it makes it all worth it. And, don’t forget, it opens up a space to help another cat in need.” Truer words could not be said. Yes, there’s a little heartbreak when they leave for their forever homes and sometimes there are extra special ones who take a little more time and effort to get over… but there is an endless need of homeless and surrendered pets who need help. So, each time, I’ll shed a tear, replaced by a smile at the next one coming through my door.

Kittens and young cats are so much fun – though lots of work to keep up with their antics and energy! And, they are much easier to place in both foster and adopter homes. Senior cats, however, are much harder to place for many reasons. Maybe they need more medical care – just like a human. Maybe they are settled in their ways – just like a human. Maybe… maybe… maybe… Well, most of the time, just like a human - they need someone who can respect them for who they are – a senior who wants to get and give love and attention and has so much life left to live, no matter how long.

There are hundreds of (or more) older-senior homeless pets needing help every day - the lucky ones are in rescues and shelters. There are just not enough homes for them. This is truly heartbreaking because we know all they need is a chance. Some may have been with one family their whole lives. Imagine the confusion and fear they feel being in a new environment. If they’ve been surrendered to a shelter, they may need to be in a cage – something they’ve never experienced before. Or, they’ve been left behind in an apartment or home or thrown outside, never before having to find food and shelter to survive and be safe from harsh weather, predators and other dangers. Many unfortunately don’t survive for long.

Cats, like humans, can get depressed, lonely, scared and anxious for what they are going through. They can’t understand why their world has been turned upside down, they just know that they have to rely on the kindness of strangers to rescue them and keep them alive. And, luckily there are so many wonderful people who are trying to help these senior cats. We need help from you or someone you know who could adopt these very special companions. Or, foster them while they are waiting for a new forever home.

Please, if you can open your heart and home to any cat, particularly a senior, contact NVHS and other local organizations and inquire about their senior cats. There is also a Facebook page started by a caring woman devoted solely to these wonderful cats –and dogs – Massachusetts Senior and Special Needs Animals in Search of Forever Homes. She communicates with and gathers posts from rescues and shelters who have seniors and special needs animals looking for homes along with contact information for the organizations who have them. Check our NVHS website and FB page as well as the Mass Seniors and Special Needs Facebook page daily – the sad truth is that there are many, many posts each day. If you cannot adopt or foster, please donate to help with the cost of caring for these animals.

It’s true that seniors and special needs cats may not have as many years as anyone would like, but wouldn’t you rather have their very special love and companionship for whatever time you can with them than never to have had them at all? CT

Neponset Valley Humane Society – PO Box 544, Norwood MA 02169

781-762-1990 - nvhumanesociety@gmail.com

website: Neponset Valley Humane Society

NVHS FB page

Contact NVHS to donate and learn about adopting, fostering and other volunteer opportunities.