I’ve made the choice to give up the black cat to ensure that he has someone reliable to care for him. He deserves every bit of the same love and effort Melbcat got but it’s such a big commitment to foster or adopt right now and I don’t have it left in my tank. It breaks my heart. I was picking out names for him, trying to think how I’d make it through the long repetitive work of ringworm treatment and planning to buy him a funny mushroom themed scratcher to celebrate when it was over. But I really can’t take a new pet on right now and need to make sure he goes to someone who is reliably able to care for him. I hung out with him under cover feeding him and patting him during the storm, and he was asking to come in the house… Poor little man :( I hope he finds somewhere absolutely perfect for him and experiences all the joys of inside there. I love him too. I’m just not ready for him (or anyone) to take Melbcat’s place. I’m definitely going to second guess this and fret about how he’s doing, whether he’s going to be adopted, wishing things had been different. I’m scared because shelters and rescues are so full and he has a few things going against him for adoptability. But there’s a chance that this way he’ll end up getting a much better life than living on scraps of food and affection outside or living with someone who is so completely overwhelmed and not coping. I’m just trying to remember that the rescuers love cats to the point of going the extra mile like I do, and trust that his future owner sees how sweet and friendly he is the way I did. Rescuers are coming either tonight or tomorrow to get him. I just hope he’s around.