Hi,
My Janessa is 2.8 years old and her last litter was 4/26/09.
I must accept that she will not have another litter and alter/ spay her.
Here is the issue: I love her so and want to keep her here as a pet but dont think that is the best life for her. She will have to deal with a few unaltered females and Maxwell. She would probably be happier as an only cat or with a dog or one other cat (altered). She is my beautiful sweet big girl and a show girl as well but I also want her happy. I stopped showing her because she wasnt thrilled with it.
How could I make it work here or should I pet her out to a wonderful family?
Oh Gail, I know just how you feel. It's a case of which will win, the heart or the head. You have to think what is best for her, and what is best for her is not necessarilly what you want to happen but to let her go to a loving home where she will get all of the attention she deserves could well be the answer.
My Athena is 2.5 years old, she lost her first litter and has only called once since. I know I have to spay her but haven't done so yet as I know then that I will have to face the same decision, does she stay here as a cat who keeps out of the way most of the time, or do I let her go to a new home where she will get the attention she deserves?
The decision is so hard to make and we break our hearts over it. I just wish there was an easy answer.
I'm thankful to the breeder who retired my girls and let me have the chance to love them. There are many out there like me who have a quieter life style and don't want to have the kitten phase. In thinking what is best for her, remember that she has a home with you until you find the PERFECT home for her where she will be happy. I think if you know she's happy, it will help you, so you can find someone who will keep in touch with you afterwards too with updates.
We do not pet out our retired breeding cats. You will not know if it will work or not until she is spayed and everyone is given a chance to adjust. I believe very few breeders do not keep SOME retired breeding cats. (We have more retired breeders and pets than we have whole breeding cats.)
I will leave it to fate, ie. I would keep her while I try to find a forever home for her.. Sometimes, it is not easy to find a forever home for your cats, esp. if you want the owner to be a one-cat-only household.. The best is to get a forever home that is just around the corner from your house... This way, you can just pop by the new owner's home anytime you want to visit Janessa....
Just my thoughts as I have never breed ragdolls before... Good luck in yr decision!
Gail what a hard decision... she is such a pretty girl. Is there a good friend or someone close by (like Wilson suggested) that will allow you to visit her? In any case I know you will wait for the perfect home, and when you find it and the person who will love her forever you will be happy knowing it's the best thing for her. I wish you all the best in your decision
I have faith that the right answer will reveal itself to you if you pray or ask for guidance, if you believe in that sort of thing. You'll be amazed at how things will unfold. I definitely agree with Wilson. I think you'll know in your heart when it's right. I'm sure there is someone out there who would love and adore Janessa as much as her lovely mommy does now
Do you think she would make a good therapy cat for elderly people perhaps?
I wish you luck and send you good thoughts
Leaving it to fate like Wilson suggested sounds right.....and knowing the family that would be adopting her would be ideal. And, when I read your heartfelt post, I thought of Teresa and her beautiful girls. Knowing Janessa would be going to a home like that would be wonderful.
What a tough decision you have to make. Probably she will thrive in a home with only one other cat at most, getting lots of laptime and personal attention. Surely you will miss her but ... you will be so glad to find her the perfect home and know that she is the absolute DARLING of the family! She is certainly a beauty.
Aw Gail, that is a heart wrencher.. It would be nice if you could keep her, but I think time will tell you what is right.