Now Take My Cats...Please!

This morning as I sat on my cushion to begin practice, my big boy cat, Moojie, did what he always does and curled up against my crossed legs. I gazed down at his chin resting on my calf and skritched him behind his ears. He squinched up his little face in pleasure and stretched a leg out to gently pat me with his paw. I melted a little and asked him what I’ve asked him a thousand times since considering giving him up before I return to America, “Aw, Moojie, who’s going to love you like I love you?”

 

And then it hit me with total clarity today: no one. At least not here, in one of the world’s most cat-unfriendly nations. No one. (In the cab returning from the vet, I swear, the driver asked, "Whatcha got there?" "Two cats," said I. Replied the cabbie, "Oh, cats are no good. Now dogs, dogs are where it's at." Thanks for confirming the day's activities, chief) Moojie and his little sister, Nita, have got to come with me to the States. (I love Nita too, don’t get me wrong, but there’s something about my Moojer. I adore him beyond all reason, have since I first saw him.) Despite a lot of effort on my part, no one here has shown any interest in taking them, and it’s clear they’re my karmic responsibility.

So I went to the KAL website. Seemed possible, if a bit costly, but OK. Then I called Dr. Karen, their vet, to see if they could complete their shots and paperwork and whatnot. Yup, they could. So I trotted out to get a real kennel carrier. Not as pricey as I thought. Hauled the furbutts to the clinic, did the shots (Moojie was stoic, Nita melodramatic, though you should have heard The Mooj moaning in sympathy and concern when Nita started to yowl – what a guy) and collected their adorable little “kitty passports”.

{I want to stop a sec here and say a word about this vet clinic. It’s actually a project of a Christian missionary veterinarian network. Now, in general, I’m not crazy about missionaries here and their missionary...izing. But I have nothing but praise (shoot, hosannas, if you like) for Dr. Karen and her Mongolian staff. They’re real pros, so kind and exemplify the best of the Christian path, i.e. practicing what they preach and being of real benefit rather than just collecting converts}

So it seems like everything’s quickly coming together to prepare my two little fuzzy immigrants.

Except.

After I leave Mongolia, I really will be a homeless wanderer for a time. So here’s where, hopefully, you come in. I’m looking for foster homes for these guys – one in the Washington, DC area, from June 14-18, and then one in New England, hopefully southern VT or NH, for longer, from June 18/19 until at least the end of August. The perfect situation would be if they were placed with experienced cat people in a roomy home without other animals. I think they’ll have trauma enough without dealing with territorial squabbles. One they settle in, they’re affectionate, housetrained, and frequently hilarious.

So, if you have any bright ideas about this – or if you are the bright idea – please contact me before June 13. I think email is better than the comments section here, so drop me a line at: mongoliamonk at yahoo dot com.

Oh, they speak fluent English, did I mention that? Well, at least until you reprimand them.

Thanks!

Comments

[Ryan]

Am getting the word out on the blog today.

[Senge]

Konchog, Vajra Brother, so sorry to hear you are leaving Mongolia. You have done excellent work there and been of great benefit to many. I have enjoyed your blogs very much on all levels. I am sure you will be missed but most importantly I am sure KPC will have missed an opportunity. Hard times and all is impermanent, Good luck and have a good retreat. Senge

[Northmoon]

Oh I'm so relieved that you are going to bring your cats to the States! The first thing I thought when I read your previous post was "oh oh, what will happen to the cats?" I was going to offer to help pay for their transportation if that is a problem.

I trust you will be able to find someone to keep them for a bit until you get settled. I'd offer myself but I already have six!

I hope you will keep up the blog after your retreats. Good luck on your travels.

[Chris Starling]

Señor Norbu,

If you are so inclined, my lovely family would be thrilled to have your wonderful Mooj and Nita as guest during your stay in the DC area.

As you may remember we live in a rather pastoral, well forested area on a small arm of the upper Chesapeake Bay. We have an acre, our neighbors have three and there are 11 acres of woods adjacent to our land. Plus we are a mere 5 miles from I-95 just ten miles from where it enters Delaware.

One catch, we do possess a 16 year-old feline "kitty" (I know catchy name, huh?). Kitty is a very solitary beast and would rather be viewed from a distance as he makes his way from the river to the garage and then to his bowl in the kitchen. Kitty is NOT a lap-cat and probably wouldn't even notice Mooj or Nita, since he is outdoors mostly at this time of the year...

Since our last meeting, we have 'acquired' two padwon-leaners. Our daughter, Liv, is five and our son, Greyson, is 2.5... Going on 25! I think they would enjoy hosting your friends as well.

Totally your call, obviously... let me know!
I am [email protected] or 443-553-9969

¡Pax y Namaste, Amígo!
-Chris Starling
North East, MD

[Mel]

I'm at the southern tip of Maine, and I'm pretty sure I could find someone locally or not too far off.

[Paul G-Rizzle]

414 Mountain Road, Concord, NH, US, North America, Earth, Solar System needs another cat or two!