My sister and I were "latch-key kids" before there was a term for it. My Mom's work schedule was a little hectic, but she wanted us to be greeted when we came home from school, so we always had a pet. Finches, fish, hamsters, a rabbit, but more often then not, cats. Only one pet at a time, but many different ones over the years. There was a time after high school where we didn't have a cat, but that was short-lived.

Hubby had a cat when I moved in with him. My family was, in fact, instrumental in him getting that cat. (If it would have been up to him, he would have saved ALL the kittens in that cattery. Yeesh, what an awful place.) Kokomo was sick when he picked her out. She never really got better and we eventually put her to sleep when she was five years old. That was the single worst thing that we had ever done. By that time, we had also taken in a stray that Shelley gave us, which we named Shadow. We replaced Kokomo with Smokey (a new kitten) the day after we put Kokomo down. Smokey is a sweet cat, but Shadow didn't seem to enjoy the company, so we placed Shadow in a new home. A few months later, we adopted Rufus so Smokey would have a playmate. There wasn't much of an adjustment period for them, and they were great friends.

Oh, by the way I am allergic to cats and dogs. This started sometime in high school. My allergy to cats can be curbed by taking some precautions, and is usually a minor, easily overlooked problem. My allergy to dogs is powerful and induces wheezing in about 15-20 minutes.

When we began our family, I noticed the cats making a home in the baby stroller and the crib, and I began to get a funny feeling about them. They were in our baby's space, and getting it all hairy, this would not do. Some precautions were taken to keep the amount of cat hair on the baby's things to a minimum.

It had always been my job to scoop out the cat pans. This started getting on my nerves while I was pregnant (and according to my doctor it was ok for me to scoop out the cat pans while pregnant). Hubby took over that unpleasant task while I continued with making sure the cats were well fed, and received their annual immunizations.

Punkin was sick off and on during her first winter. We chalked it up to daycare. During her second winter, I escorted her to the doctor about once a week before she was diagnosed with asthma. She was sent to allergist for tests. The only thing she is definitely allergic to is (drum roll please) the CATS.

The cats were becoming more of a sore spot with me with each visit to the doctor for Punkin, and we eventually found a home for the longer-haired cat, Smokey. (And a fine home it is, too! She is way spoiled there!) Smokey was "my" cat, and I'm pleased to see her go to a home where she will be very well-cared for. Punkin's health improved a bit, and we made some other changes around the house to help her to breathe better. We had hoped Rufus could remain with us. (Ok, Hubby hoped we could keep Rufus.)

Hubby slowly came to the realization that Rufus will be better off with another "friend" to play with. Arrangements were made with Shelley, who would be his new "mom". I did the dance of joy, but quietly because we were still housing Rufus, and because it would be un-sporting of me to enjoy this turn of events too much. Hubby, you see, has a soft spot for animals, and Rufus was "his buddy" for about six years. Hubby is not allergic to the cats, and knows I have been less than thrilled with having the cats in the house for the past two years.

Last Wednesday we got the call I've been waiting for. Shelley is coming to get Rufus. I had all his food, toys, and other accessories packed in 15 minutes. Even Punkin didn't mind that Rufus left. We asked her if it would be ok, and she said yes. (Of course, now that he's gone, she's told me twice that she wants her Rufus back. Who says that Moms are the only ones that inflict guilt trips?)

Hubby felt bad about giving Rufus away, and I can understand that. I really can. While I'm elated that the cats have been placed in loving, happy homes, a small part of me feels bad that I feel this good about it.

It also seems as though every one of our family members now has pets. I guess Punkin and I will just bring our asthma medicine when we go a'visiting. That I can handle. I don't mind cats, I'm just glad they belong to someone else.

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