#ooc

5 doesn't seem to like me much

2 is friendly, but is very high maintenance wrt grooming. Long haired, and she gets mats.

I just plain... don't want any of them.

That's my reason.

I could take one

I could provide for them.

I feel like a jerk.

You're not a jerk.

It doesn't help that I don't think she actually made a real effort to get them rehomed/work with a rescue, especially with #5

Are the boys spayed?

Yes

And they spray?

I have had spayed boys that didn't/couldn't, is why I ask.

Look, when I lost Claire, it wrecked me. I loved that dog. It was a terrible year all around, then she passed. the fact Porthos passed not long after sure didn't help. But way too soon after I lost Claire, one of my housemate's friends lost her house and needed to give upa a dog. Now Beldarin "Bell" is a sweetie, but because we got her soon after Claire's loss, I did not bond well with Bell. I didn't neglect her but I did not give her as much attention love as I should have. I was not ready for a new dog. My Housemates at the time did not work at home. It beat going to a shelter, but for 2 years while i healed Bell was cheated of what i would consider due love. She and I are better now, but you are not selfish for not wanting an animal you don't feel a bond with because the old hole needs time to heal

Beautifully put, D. Amen.

I'm not entirely sure. I think #5 might.

AFK again

Andyes

part of it is I want Bianca

She was the perfect kitty. Never a litterbox problem, never a food thief. Tough on the furniture, admittedly.

She was affectionate with me. Jessica's cats aren't.

Like, I am sorry Jess is overwhelmed.

Jess also needs to get her damn act together and get a job. I am sorry that a lot of the available jobs are shitjobs.

But she would be less stressed with an income.

I am a jerk.

You're not a jerk.

you said it yourself, you want Bianca. None of her cats are Bianca . One day you'll be ready for another cat who you can love for who she is all her own. But you're not ready and you're not a jerk for not wanting to force an animal to be someone it isn't or give it less affection than he or she deserves. You're also not a jerk for having an opinion on your friend's needs and what would do HER good

I think #2 or #5, especially, need to be rehomed

it isn't fair for 5 to be so isolated

YOu have spare cat litter or catfood? I would suggest you Donate it to someone who can use it.

I gave, like 100 cans of friskies to the feral colony TNR folk

And Jess got my leftover kibble

Then you're definitely NOT a jerk

You just gave to some cats , some you don't even know. You done good.

Again, listen to D.

Amen, D. AFK.

Right.

Skitty (#2) is a sweetheart, though, oof, there is WORK there.

She overeats, so she's kind of shaped like a soccer ball

And since she's got long hair, that means she gets mats. I've had to help Jess with cutting them out.

But it's easy for me to say it. Not so easy for you to do it. Anxiety being a bitch

Yeah

and what if I do fall in love with a different cat?

Bianca, I fell in love with at the shelter

Well, if you do fall in love with another cat you do. that's not a betrayal that's a sign you've healed faster than you thought

And thank you, shady.

as for me, the two cats we've got are young , sometimes rascals, but well behaved mostly thanks to my friend's work on socializing them. i get the benefits of second hand entertainment

Jess is my friend, but I am frustrated with her at times.

That's human

I also know she is struggling with depression, so a lot of that is just mental health