Kitten?

[BlueWolf]

I feel like this is quite an issue for me, and I'm obsessing over it, so I thought I would ask for some advice. All of my life, my dad always had cats and dogs and my mom never let me had any pets (I live with my mom not my dad). She let me try to have a puppy, then got scared and made me give it away. I've been deprived as a kid, due to financial problems so I always really felt like I've been missing out, especially getting to see everyone with everything I never got to have or enjoy. Never allowed to go anywhere do anything... and now that all my friends went off to college I find myself struggling more. I think getting a kitten would be good for me. I work at a vet clinic, so I can get shots and stuff extra cheap and I have the money for one too now. But... my mom is making me feel quilty for wanting one at all because of my living situation. Right now I have moved in with my aunt (who really would not mind another cat around considering how much she loves animals too), but my mom insists that it's wrong because it is not my house. It's torment thought to see my two cousins rub shit it my face because I don't have half what they have or the pets they do. They treat me like their maid, and my aunt has said stuff to them about it but still!

I am so obsessed with getting a kitten, I've wanted one for sooo long. Then of course there is the problem of what happens when I move somewhere. I keep thinking, what happens if you move in the future? Nothing is ever certain. So why not live for today? Then I think, because a cat is a living being... that needs a perminant home. It's eating away at me and making me feel miserable because I am so desperate over it! I feel pathetic, but animals are my life! Quite literally. I talked to my counselor about it and she says go for it, but my parents say I am making a bad decision and being irresponsible if I get one.

Any advice?

[kadyCHAOS]

hey, as far as housing goes, i've found many apartments/places for rent are pretty lenient when it comes to pets. most of the time landlords want to know that the animal will be taken care of and won't cause any problems, or damage to the apartment. sometimes, landlords will do a "pet deposit", like a regular deposit except the money can be used by the landlord if the cat damages the apartment.

good luck, let me know if you have any other questions.

[BlueWolf]

Thanks, but do you think it would be a bad idea if I went ahead and got a kitten while I am staying with my aunt?

[ShimmeringFaerie]

Jessica, if your aunt says that it is okay, then it shouldn't matter what your parents think. It is your aunt's house, so it is her decision. If she says yes, then the rest of it is up to you. Nobody else needs to be involved in the decision at all.

Honestly, kittens are wonderful. They can be very comforting and since it sounds like you don't have much support at your house, then a kitten would be perfect for you.

[BlueWolf]

Thank you. That's exactly what my counselor said, and I think one would be ideal for me. There are two I am looking at getting. I'm going to talk to my aunt about it this weekend and see what she says. Hopefully I will be able to go get one next week.

I even talked my mom into saying it really might not be a bad idea. I'm really really sick right now, and doctors think it's psychological. So a kitten would really be stress relieving for me.

[Thirteen]

That sounds GREAT, Jessica! Plus, since your aunt seems to like animals (and has had some, as you said), and with your new job, you'll both have plenty of knowledge to give a kitten a loving home.

I hope everything goes well, and that having your own kitty around the house helps you feel better. Advice when it comes to picking one out, though? Get the one that will come to you, looking for affection.

[BlueWolf]

Thanks Julz for your support. I really want to go get one this weekend, but I am nervous because I am not sure if I can stay here with my aunt. Things are not going well, but if I want to keep my job I have to deal with it. I'm going to talk to her about it tonight and hopefully get my new kitten tomorrow or monday.

[Thirteen]

Well honestly, if she's an animal lover, having a kitten to bond over could even prove beneficial, and make things less uncomfortable for the both of you.

[BlueWolf]

Exactly, but my mom is starting to tell me that it might not be good to bond with one because if I can't stay at my aunt's long I can't take a kitten to stay with her or my grandfather's house....

So idk how long I would have it for. My mom says I should be patient and try for a puppy when she gets a place of her own. She thinks that will be more beneficial for me and she will allow a puppy (she is allergic to cats), but that will be a long time (9 months). So I can keep a kitten for 9 months not sure if where I will go next and if I can even keep it.... or just forget the whole thing even though I desperately want one.

[Thirteen]

Depends... Why wouldn't you be staying with your aunt long? I mean, you've got a job near there, right? What kinds of things would happen that would change your living arrangement?

Besides, you should talk to your aunt first. If she says YES, I'm sure she's taking on the form of commitment that implies that yes, you can stay around awhile.

[BlueWolf]

Because I have to transfer schools. The school I am at does not offer the degree I want. Either of the degrees I am shooting for actually, but it is cheeper so I started here to get my core classes that will transfer. So I will be staying here probably 6 months to a year. My aunt has already agreed to that.

My mom THINKS she will have her own place by then, but it is only a possibility. So my mom and I sat down and agreed on a plan. I am going to work at least until Christmas (my job is demanding and my anxiety is interfearing more than I thought) and at that point I will get my new pet. That also gives my mom a chance to get a job. She said she thinks she will have one by then. She also says this way I can save some money for both college books and the puppy. Just have a fund set aside for them. Also, this will give me time to decide on a breed. Since I work at a vet clinic I will get the chance to work with all kinds of cats and dogs and make a more definate decision as to what to actually get, although I really have a good idea of what I want. I don't want to be patient, but... I agreed to this.

[Thirteen]

That sounds like a fairly solid plan, then.