Here’s a little back story for y’all. We bought this house in September of 2006. Before we closed on the house, we were here looking around and making plans for what we wanted to do to the inside and to the property. We were walking toward the back door when a little black cat showed up to greet us. She was clearly a momma cat who was still nursing, and after we closed on the house, we’d make sure there was always some food on the front porch for her.
That was Maxi.
We had no idea where she’d come from, so Fred asked the man next door, who pointed us to the lady on his other side. Fred talked to her, and she said that basically the little black cat was a stray, and that she wasn’t sure where she’d come from.
A little while longer, she started showing up with a buff tabby. That was Newt.
Newt wouldn’t let us touch him for a few weeks, and then he’d let us touch him for a moment or two before he skittered off. Maxi continued showing up, still clearly nursing kittens. We wondered where on earth the kittens were, but had no luck finding them.
One afternoon I was upstairs painting one of the rooms, and Fred came in and told me to come with him. I followed him out onto the front porch, and found Maxi, Newt, and four kittens.
Maxi had clearly decided we were trustworthy and brought her kittens around. The kittens were skittish around us, but when we were able to touch them, we grabbed them up and brought them inside.
We (really, Fred) named them Fezzik, Westley, Inigo, and Buttercup (names from The Princess Bride).
We fostered them for a short amount of time. They were fixed and got all their shots, and then went off to Petsmart. Maxi and Newt stayed here.
(The vet told me that she thought Newt was probably Maxi’s from a previous litter. We found out later through the previous owner of this house, that Maxi had belonged to her family. But that when it was time for them to move, they – and I quote – “Couldn’t get hold of her.” I won’t say what I’m thinking – but I believe you can just imagine.)
I tell you all of this to lead you into what happened this weekend (and last night), that will likely surprise a lot of you.
On Saturday, the shelter manager called. She said that she’d just talked to the woman who adopted Inigo (one of the black and white kittens), and she was interested in adopting one of my fosters.
I got a chance to think “Someone’s interested in adopting a Brady ALREADY?” and then she told me. The woman wasn’t interested in adopting a Brady. She was interested in adopting one of my OTHER fosters.
Buster, to be exact.
I was so shocked that I barely heard the other things the shelter manager told me, but I took the woman’s name and number, and hung up. Then I called and left a message for her.
To make a long story short, last night I took Buster to Petsmart to meet with her. I took Rhyme with us, just to give her a choice of a second cat if Buster didn’t strike her fancy.
Buster struck her fancy, all right – and she adopted him! So I left Petsmart with Rhyme, and she stayed and filled out the adoption paperwork.
I don’t doubt that a lot of you are probably very surprised that I was willing to let Buster go. I don’t think I was very secretive about the fact that he’s my favorite Bookworm. He’s gorgeous (well really, all my Bookworms are!), and he’s got a ton of personality, to boot. Fred told me last night that he was really surprised I didn’t suggest that we adopt Buster instead of allowing him to be adopted out.
This is the thing – I love Buster a great deal. But we’ve just got too many cats in this house! I felt it would be more fair to Buster to allow him to go to a good home where he’d be one of two cats and would get lots of attention from his new mom and dad than to insist that he stay here, where – let’s be honest – sometimes the cats get lost in the crowd.
Let’s say I love him enough to let him go, admit that I miss him A LOT, and be happy that at the age of 10 months, someone fell in love with his funny, gorgeous little face and wanted to bring him home.
“Hear that, suckahs? Someone BEGGED to be allowed to adopt me! Obviously someone with good taste!”
Sweet Buster Brown (he’s a clown. He gets around!) yesterday.
Baby Buster.
Previously
2009: This fucking horseshit sure is moving at a fucking snail’s pace.
2008: ::DESPAIR::
2007: Stinkerbelle: “I have put my stamp of love upon him, and now I shall lay here and seethe with hatred for those hussies who think they can have him. THEY CANNOT.”
2006: Newton (full name: Newton “Newtie” McNewterton, the salty country kitty) is pretty, yet aloof. It drives the wimmins CRAYZEE.
2005: “Us”? Who’s this “us” kemosabe?
2004: I suppose I need to actually start buying lottery tickets to make these dreams come true.
2003: And also because you Canadians are so cool that I want to canoodle with each and every one of you.
2002: No entry.
2001: No entry.
2000: God bless the internet and online merchants, god bless their little black hearts.
1999: More Christmas talk.
A happy ending, I think?? Yes Buster has gone to a good home where he won’t have to compete but, hells bells, I don’t know you do this.
I still see Corby as a permanent. Only cos it would be too hard to post him to Australia which is where his real home should be
Oh yay!!! I am so happy Buster {forgot his other {original} name? Heh!} has found a great home!
Goodonya, Robyn and good for Buster and his new family. You are kind and generous and any kitteh raised in the Anderson household is a wonderful kitteh, indeed.
Congrats Buster Brown : ) Glad he won’t be an only kitty…just sorry I couldn’t bring him home myself.
PS…I honestly did not know Buster was your favorite bookworm!! I really would have given that to Corbie.
That’s a wonderful story–he’ll have a great life! Gotta love someone who sees the potential of a teenager…not just a fluffy little one.
I agree with this sentiment. As much as I love kittens (and I do) I love older cats even more. Oh who the hell am I kidding, I love them all, even my grouchy old lady kitteh.
Aw, I’m sure you shed a tear at giving up the gorgeous Buster, but you did the right thing! I wish him the best in his new home and know you will get lots of updates about his happy life!
And it’s funny you brought up the deal about cats being “lost in the crowd” – I was thinking about asking you about that for your Friday question round-up. I only have 2 cats now, but at one time had 4 and was always worried that I wasn’t giving one or the other of them the amount of attention they really deserved. You’re lucky
to be able to devote ALL DAY, EVERY DAY to the attention and care of your kittehs! 
Good for sweet handsome buster and you are a truly loving pet mama and foster mama to be able to give him up. Sometimes the older pet is better. Our Ruby the Cocker was a year and a half and had two puppies. When we went to the Rescue’s home to meet her I barely looked at her pups because I wanted the big baby not the little ones. My husband was surprised I wasn’t gaga about the puppies (we’d already requested Ruby) but I fell in love with Ruby at first sight. She loved me because I had dog treats in my purse :). I did’t want to do the puppy thing again. Do you think the teenage cat is alot easier? Kittens do work best if you have dogs or other cats in the house. Do you know is it’s the same with a teenage cat? They are still young so I would think it might be.
My heart goes out to you today. From all of us who have adopted pets in the past, thank you for making it possible!
I have to second this. The day the woman from the rescue came to drop Ruby off and do a home inspection-we were foster to adopt for a month-I was surprised her boyfriend wasn’t with her. He and my husband are both car nuts and they really hit it off when we all met. She said, “He can never come with me to drop them off. He was crying when I left. It’s very hard on him when it’s time for them to go.”
You are such a good catmom to not only give these kitties a wonderful home, but to also be able to let one go when you know he has a chance at being even more spoiled.
I’m currently struggling with this myself, so I know how you feel. Someone my dad works with is interested in a cat, and he owns a giant house by a lake. This cat will have the sole attention of his/her owners and the occasional grandchild. My dad suggested that one of our cats might be a good fit. Because I have so many & there is a little more squabbling lately, I’ve been considering it and I sent him pictures of Scamper, Sidonia, and Izumi. If he does decide he wants one of them, I know it will be a great home for these cats who don’t always get a ton of attention, but the though of letting them go after having them for 3-4 years is so hard. Your story definitely reassures me that if it does work out, I’m sure it will be for the best!
Wow! I can’t believe how this story has made me sit here and cry. Dora jumped in my lap while I was reading and crying so she is getting lots of kisses and tears at the same time.
Congrats to Buster.
I’m so glad someone adopted that beautiful cat. I’m also glad I don’t live anywhere around you. I’d be over all the time playing with the kittens. Who am I kidding? I’d be constantly trying to convince my husband that 2 cats aren’t enough and isn’t the kitten soooo cute?
I’m surprised you let him go, but it sounds like he will have a good life. Hey, btw – is Fred’s site still up? I can’t get to vituperation at all
This is an awesome story. It’s so cool that someone adopted from two “generations” of fosters. I bet because both cats were raised around other cats they’ll get along like … well … gangbusters!
And no matter how many cats you have, you’ll never be a crazy cat lady, because you put their welfare first.
I know it was hard for you to let Buster go, but just know that he was raised in a kind, loving household and you and Fred were wonderful to him.
I think you guys rock for taking in strays and fosters and I know you must have built up tons of karma points.
Robyn, your post made me cry! I think you and Fred are such wonderful and caring people. I love reading your posts each day and have the utmost respect for all the work and love that you give to your cats and fosters. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Lovely story, Robyn. And I admire your maturity, because often, it’s the truest way to show love.
Chris
I was all verklempt at work with this O. Henry-ish story!!