Written and Posted 12/21/25

Unfortunately, I grossly underestimated how difficult it was going to be to get rid of my cat. She turned into the biggest hurdle I’ve faced during this process so far, and ultimately, I couldn’t jump that hurdle. She’s a 10-year-old and slightly ornery cat, far the worst or best cat, but not a great option for adoption. I had assumed I’d easily be able to take her to a shelter. However, it turns out every shelter in the area is at capacity with a wait-list of anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

Since there is no way for her to make the move with me and I wasn’t renewing my lease at the end of the year, I was in a bit of a bind. Basically, my options (imo) quickly became:

• Euthanize her (it took calling several vets to find one willing to euthanize a healthy cat).
• Renew my current apartment lease for a shorter period at $250 more a month until at least April.
  • In the hopes that a shelter would be able to take her within that time.
  • If a shelter didn’t become available during this time it’d resolve back to euthanasia because the additional monthly cost is rough for me.
• Renew my current apartment lease for a year.

There’s a bunch of ways I tried to rationalize euthanizing her in my head. “She’s just a cat” being primary among them. Simply meaning that I shouldn’t put my life on hold for a bad cat I don’t even like. But I’ve never hurt an animal before and I can’t just leap to becoming a cat killer, and incorrectly or not, that’s how I would’ve labeled myself. She might suck, but she’s not sick or aggressive/mean. She’s been my pet for 10ish years, she’s my responsibility. Before I take what should be the last resort I need to exhaust all other options, which I currently can’t say.

It was a really tricky decision for me; I truly felt of two minds. I had thought if push came to shove, I could make the selfish decision and essentially sacrifice her for my future. But that’s not me. I can’t start this new path I’m on by INTENTIONally killing a cat.

Ultimately, I chose to renew my current lease for another year. It just felt like the right thing to do. The additional cost of the shorter lease and the uncertainty of finding a spot for her within that time-frame led me to just put my move on hold for a year. Surely, I’ll be able to find a place for her within a year. If not, I can’t at least feel much more comfortable that I’ve done my best. This whole move was rushed due to the unlucky timing of my thoughtful Avalanche. 

In that first post I mentioned this path not being contingent on moving back in with my parents. That, and the positive steps I’ve been taking have allowed me to pivot to this new reality easier than I would’ve in the past. I know previously something like this would’ve sent me into an internal spiral. It’s definitely a bummer, but I’ve quite a few positives I’d rather focus on continuing:

• I’ve been better at communicating and visiting my parents. Part of those visits has been to move my stuff in, but it’s been nice to just hang out and play games with Mom for a few hours. So, this is something I’ll continue with, once or twice a month.
  • Plus, I’ve moved a very nice chess set my parents got for me when I was a teen back to their house. For some reason, chess is the only board game my dad is willing to play. So, I’m going to propose to him that we try and get a match each time I’m up for a visit. 
• I’m a part of the growing community for Riftbound in the area. I’ve been going to several different LGS’ in the area and interacting with a lot of the same people over the past month. It’s kind of hard to explain, but I feel like I’m on the slow process to make a couple friends lol.

Largely, holding off my move doesn’t impact my perspective, just requires a pivot. I tried to squeeze this move in quickly at the end of the year and it didn’t work out. Not the end of the world, I’m still in a much more preferable position than I was months ago when moving back in with my parents was a last resort instead of the main plan.

Any continued readers will note I missed a post last weekend and the next topic was supposed to be minimalism. That’s still the plan for the next theme of posts. Moving most of my stuff to my parents and the dumpster has left my apartment basically empty, which I’ve found oddly freeing. So, I’m going to contemplate and write more on that. However, not until after the holiday since next week’s post will be about Christmas in some way.

Hope all reading this have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

Be well, be intentional, and make something,

Uncle Dump