My wife got rid of our cats without my permission: I searched for them for weeks until I stumbled across where my pets ended up
I went to every animal shelter in the area, put up adverts, printed leaflets. For weeks I looked for them, but my efforts were in vain. My wife wouldnt tell me exactly where shed sent them.
The only thing left for me was to get some kind of payback, especially after my mate called and said hed found out where my cats were. My whole world turned upside down when I learnt the truth.
Let me tell my story, and you can tell me whether you think I did the right thing.
My wife got rid of our cats without my permission: I searched for them for weeks until I stumbled across where my pets ended up
When I opened the door, I was greeted by silence. Too deep, unnaturally quiet. No paws pattering across the floor, no faint purring. My chest tightened with a nasty sense that something was wrong.
Where are the cats? I asked my wife, not even bothering to take off my shoes.
She was sat calmly at the kitchen table, scrolling through her phone. Without looking up, she said, I gave them away. I couldnt stand all that fur everywhere anymore.
I froze. Not a word came out. My three furry friends had been part of my life long before we were married. They were my family. And now they just werent?
What do you mean, gave them away?! I stammered, my voice shaking with anger.
It means the house is finally clean, and maybe now you can live a normal life instead of being at those animals beck and call, she shot back, finally looking up at me. There wasnt even a flicker of remorse in her eyes.
My wife got rid of our cats without my permission: I searched for them for weeks until I stumbled across where my pets ended up
Where did you take them?!
Theyre in good hands, she replied shortly. Forget about them.
Forget them? How is anyone supposed to forget their family? I felt completely gutted. It wasnt just a thoughtless actit was a betrayal.
I visited every shelter I could find, put up adverts everywhere, handed out leaflets. For weeks I searched, but it was all fruitless. My wife refused to tell me where shed taken them, and she acted like I was the problem by even bringing it up.
Then I got a message from a bloke I knew who worked at a rescue centre.
Think Ive seen your cats. A woman brought in three just like them a few days back.
My heart started pounding. I rang him at once.
Are they still with you? I asked, barely able to breathe.
Sorry, theyve already found new homes.
The ground shifted beneath my feet. I managed to choke out, Do you know who took them? I need to find them.
Im afraid we cant give out that sort of information, but I assure you, theyre safe and well cared for.
My wife got rid of our cats without my permission: I searched for them for weeks until I stumbled across where my pets ended up
I came home feeling absolutely drained. My wife greeted me with a smug little smile.
Well? Have you calmed down? she asked, with a tone that made it clear she thought shed won.
I looked at her and knew then and there: I couldnt be with someone who could do something like this. That very night, I packed my things and left. Within a week, Id filed for divorce.
A few months went by. One day, I was randomly scrolling through the website of a local animal shelter when I came across their Happy Endings section. And suddenly I froze.
My cats.
Three different families, three delighted cats, three new homes. They looked healthy, happy, loved. I stared at those photos for a very long time, then took my first deep breath in months.
They were all right. And, it seemed, so was I.
