Farewell from Farrier Feline Files

Hello, all! This is Andrea - caretaker/mom/owner/enslaver/servant of the Farrier Felines (depending on which one you ask, and what type of mood he or she is in.)

I know it's been a while, but I wanted to give you an update about what's been happening with our fuzzy friends, since you've been such faithful readers for so long.

Our family is planning to move to Guatemala to do mission work and share the gospel and love of Jesus. And, as much as we'd like to, we will not be able to take our cats along.

You may recall that Nimrod had already been re-homed to a farm last summer. I am happy to report that he is loving his new domain, and is even being a fairly benevolent ruler to his new chicken, pig, cow, dog, cat, and human subjects. He has room to roam, things to sniff, a warm bed inside at night, and all the acres to pee on he could ever want! And, though I still miss his fuzzy face and ultrasoft fur, I am thrilled that he is living the life of his dreams.

Charles, who was my faithful companion since his kittenhood 14 1/2 years ago, has also found a new home. It was especially hard for me to part with him, since we'd been together so long, and since I didn't personally know his new owners. I did a lot of praying over his placement! I don't know if I'll ever see him again, though I have gotten a few updates and I know that his new companions love him very much, and are taking very good care of him. I couldn't have parted with my beloved friend otherwise. Still, these kinds of things are never easy.

The plan is for Princess to go live with my parents. I am sure she will be happy there, though it will certainly take some time for her to get used to two new feline companions, and a new doggy friend in the same home. (If she had her way, she'd be the only cat in the house. Or, perhaps, the only cat in the world.) Her 'girl' (my middle daughter) has been grieved at the idea that Princess's posts on this blog have portrayed her as mean. Allow me to set the record straight - Princess is a wonderful, kind, gentle soul, who adores giving her love to the special people in her life. She just likes doing it one person at a time. When Princess loves you, you KNOW you are loved, and I would never want anyone to take my tongue-in-cheek posts to indicate that she is anything other than a wonderful kitty and friend. She, like the others, will be very missed.

As for Shane (our resident goofball) he will be moving the farthest away - all the way to Colorado. We have friends who have enjoyed his antics and personality during their visits for many years. When they found out that he would be needing a new home, they were eager to add him to their family. And, though I will not miss his new habit of dumping over water bowls just for the fun of it (!?), I will probably miss just about everything else about him. He has truly been a source of nearly-constant amazement, amusement, bewilderment, and conversation in our household. He really is something else (though we still haven't quite figured out what)!

Anyway - I just wanted to let you know that this will be the last Farrier Feline Files post. If you'd like to learn more about our plans in Guatemala, you can feel free to check out our website - farriersoffaith.org.

Thanks for sharing in all of our Farrier Feline fun in the past. I hope you (and your pets) will continue to be blessed, safe, and happy, as I know our beloved kitties will be in their new and future homes as well.

Thanks for all the memories!

- Andrea