For some reason best known to the cats themselves my Mum and I have always been cat magnets. Our lives have never been without cats, either our own or other cats who seek our company. My Mum has had cats visit her her all her life but this one fella was different. He just won't go away. He appeared a couple of years ago, quite thin but not desperately, he had tapeworm and fleas and a dull lack lustre coat and he was very nervous and timid. But he loved the solitude of Mum's garden. But even on the bitterest winter nights he would be outside my Mum's back door. Mum has never fed any of her visiting cats but this chap looked so neglected that she started to throw him some dried food. He would often drink from her watering can, so she made sure it was always full.
As time went by, he started to look a little better & I wormed and fleaed him but he still seemed to be here all day. Last winter, Mum progressed to a bit of wet food for him & his coat is now so glossy. She never allowed him into the house and he didn’t always ask for food but he really loves to talk and be near someone. Mum could never lift him for a cuddle but my sister and I cuddle him when we can. We started to call him Charlie. He is so loving and comical and he chatters amiably all the time. His paws are huge in proportion and his legs are long. He looks so elegant. He seems quite healthy except for an eye that weeps a bit, but he cleans it up himself most of the time. He seems a bit wary of tall males, as do many cats but we don’t think he was actually badly treated, just neglected. He is very sociable with other cats (given the chance) and is quite happy sitting on Mum’s lawn with the fox(es). We could never find who he belonged to. One time we had a flyer through the door with a picture that looked just liked him and we contacted the number and had them come and look at him but he wasn't their missing cat.
Although Mum would never allow him into the house she did let him sleep on a cushion in the conservatory in the daytime and he has a carpet lined box in the lean to at night. She would never admit he was her cat. But he loved her.
The problem is this; Mum died four weeks ago. That is hard enough for me to deal with. But Charlie is breaking my heart too. He is so trusting and loving. I am going round to Mum's house twice a day to feed him and give him some company. I would love to bring him to my home but my 13 year old cat who is 'special needs' (the vet's words, not mine!) has made so much progress in the 7 years she has been with me I am loathe to upset her equilibrium and I could end up with two unhappy cats.
I have approached various cat loving friends none of whom are prepared or able to take him on. Eventually I contacted the local CPL who have no foster places at the moment but he has been placed on their list. But I feel uneasy about that. Particularly after I read the post about the cat who had been in care for 12 months without anyone from the CPL checking on her and she had been neglected. Charlie needs someone who not only loves cats but understands them. Whatever happens is going to be stressful for him and he is going to be confused and frightened. He is nervous of people to begin with but once he knows and trusts someone he is so lovely. He doesn't have an 'aaah' factor until you get to know him.
I want to do the best for him because I love him so much but I keep feeling I'm letting him down.
I would welcome some opinions?
Thanks
