[valkyrie]

I am sitting here sobbing.

I do have a few things to say, though. First of all, James, you shouldn't generalize. I got a cat when I was a junior in college (and yes, I am female). Ten years later, she is still with me and I love her more than I could ever imagine. I would have never even considered giving her up for any reason.

I also would like to add -- PLEASE, if you have a cat, don't let it roam outside unsupervised. My mom and I were driving down a quiet, residential street on Saturday, and to my absolute horror, there was a dead cat lying on the side of the road; she was a calico, which was especially traumatic for me because two of my kitties are calico as well. I can't even imagine the trauma I would feel if I had to live with the fact that my sweet, loving feline companion's life was prematurely and traumatically ended like that.

AggieAXO, you are my hero -- I'm totally serious. Because I love animals so much, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I decided to volunteer at an animal shelter to make sure this was for me, and I couldn't handle it. Once, I had to take a cat down to the euthanasia room. I went home and held my cats and bawled for hours. I just couldn't handle that, the blood -- all of it -- and I have so much respect for you because you can.

I know it's already been said, but please spay or neuter your pets, and realize that they are a huge responsibility and will be with you for many, many years. I can't stand it when people give up their pets because they're not "convenient" any more. Last year, we adopted a cat from the shelter who was given up, because her people were having a baby, and I quote "didn't want Lilly any more." That makes me so mad and sad at the same time. But I am happy to report that she is a friendly, sweet, wonderful cat who will never, ever see the inside of an animal shelter again.