Am I Going Crazy?
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 8:49 pm
I haven't been very active yesterday or today, and it's because I've been very upset and very nervous.
As some of you may know, I have a feral cat that lives in my backyard, along with her mate, and they've been there for about a year now. I always fed it leftover meat my family didn't eat, and sometimes I give them leftover meat stored in the fridge when they weren't looking.
However, for the past few months, the cat, Mittens, has gotten more trusting of me, and often stands on my stoop waiting for me to bring more food, or maybe play with (she likes to rub up against my leg sometimes). A few months ago, I noticed that she had these things popping out of her chest, and they turned out to be nipples, which obviously means that she is pregnant or has had babies.
I talked about this with online friends, and most suggested getting her spayed and her mate neutered. I was reluctant at first, but am now on board with it, since most cats are spayed or neutered anyway, and it is a safe and humane thing to do. I urged my parents, but they refused, claiming that it costs money, and is not supposed to be their responsibility anyways.
I was upset at this, but didn't think much of it at the time. Fast forward to just yesterday, when I was sitting at the kitchen table, I looked outside and saw Mittens with a few of her babies. I was shocked, and had no idea when she had them, but I honestly was pretty happy.
The rest of the day was pretty normal, until near the end of the day when I walked into my bathroom, I overheard one of my neighbors yell to my other neighbor that he saw a kitten get hit by a car. As soon as I heard this, I ran outside to ask him about it. He told me the details, it was gruesome, but seemed to be quick and painless. I was already at the verge of tears, and then he told me about how the litter I saw today wasn't Mittens's first litter- it was her third. He said that the first two died during the winter due to the harsh cold. I didn't show it at the time, but when I got home and told my parents about it, I cried for about 3 hours. They were amazed by how badly I took it.
After that, I always kept an eye on Mittens and her mate, because I want to be sure that she is happy. I haven't seen her Kittens, which I constantly look for, but they always seem to be okay, even though the parents aren't always looking after them.
Now, I don't feel like doing anything, I don't feel like talking, sleeping, or doing anything I usually find relaxing. I have many things I want to do this summer, and I don't want this to consume it. I often find myself going outside just to check on the cats. I am concerned if Mittens is depressed due to her losses, and her physical and mental state.
I want to get the cats spayed and neutered, but this is being blocked by my parents.
What now?
As some of you may know, I have a feral cat that lives in my backyard, along with her mate, and they've been there for about a year now. I always fed it leftover meat my family didn't eat, and sometimes I give them leftover meat stored in the fridge when they weren't looking.
However, for the past few months, the cat, Mittens, has gotten more trusting of me, and often stands on my stoop waiting for me to bring more food, or maybe play with (she likes to rub up against my leg sometimes). A few months ago, I noticed that she had these things popping out of her chest, and they turned out to be nipples, which obviously means that she is pregnant or has had babies.
I talked about this with online friends, and most suggested getting her spayed and her mate neutered. I was reluctant at first, but am now on board with it, since most cats are spayed or neutered anyway, and it is a safe and humane thing to do. I urged my parents, but they refused, claiming that it costs money, and is not supposed to be their responsibility anyways.
I was upset at this, but didn't think much of it at the time. Fast forward to just yesterday, when I was sitting at the kitchen table, I looked outside and saw Mittens with a few of her babies. I was shocked, and had no idea when she had them, but I honestly was pretty happy.
The rest of the day was pretty normal, until near the end of the day when I walked into my bathroom, I overheard one of my neighbors yell to my other neighbor that he saw a kitten get hit by a car. As soon as I heard this, I ran outside to ask him about it. He told me the details, it was gruesome, but seemed to be quick and painless. I was already at the verge of tears, and then he told me about how the litter I saw today wasn't Mittens's first litter- it was her third. He said that the first two died during the winter due to the harsh cold. I didn't show it at the time, but when I got home and told my parents about it, I cried for about 3 hours. They were amazed by how badly I took it.
After that, I always kept an eye on Mittens and her mate, because I want to be sure that she is happy. I haven't seen her Kittens, which I constantly look for, but they always seem to be okay, even though the parents aren't always looking after them.
Now, I don't feel like doing anything, I don't feel like talking, sleeping, or doing anything I usually find relaxing. I have many things I want to do this summer, and I don't want this to consume it. I often find myself going outside just to check on the cats. I am concerned if Mittens is depressed due to her losses, and her physical and mental state.
I want to get the cats spayed and neutered, but this is being blocked by my parents.
What now?