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It sounds as if she has significant family care obligations (including care of her grandmother). In some cultures and in some conservative religious circles, college-aged women do not go off on their own, date, or stay alone while their families are out of town. This may be the OP's situation. In any event, the OP shouldn't be made to feel defensive about these things in the cat forum.
My family is Christian, but not especially conservative. I don't date much, but I'm just picky. I'm also saving my virginity for marriage, so that narrows down who I date and who will date me. My college is a half-hour from where my parents live, so it makes the most sense to live here while in college. My family tries to take a trip at least once a year, though this is the longest trip we've had since I was a kid. It wasn't really an option for me to stay at home, since my family wanted me on the trip. My older sister, who is out of college and works full time, went as well. Even when my parents were young and married, they still took vacations with my Mom's parents.
My sister moved out at 20, but she got married. She's now divorced. She gets frustrated because at 27 (her age) it's weird to be single in this area.
A lot of my classmates are on their own, but probably more than half are also married and/or have kids. Around here the average age for first marriage is probably 23 or younger. People tend to settle down young and start having kids. I'm a little behind in getting my degree, but so are a lot of people my age. I went to community college and lived at home during that time because not everybody can afford to send their kids to big state schools and my parents make too much for me to receive any government assistance. My community college cost $1,500 per semester and my State University will cost about twice that much. If going to a cheaper school and not having a lot of debt means not having a big social life right now, then I'm okay with that.
I don't think that really has anything to do with the topic, though.
Last edited by STLCardsBlues1989; 07-23-2012 at 06:01 PM..
Why have pets, if you can't afford to take care of them, or have a life stable enough to be with them. I find it odd, to not have any friends who could look in them at least one or two times. I have left Jasper for a night or two, but not a week!
None of my friends are really cat people. Also, I didn't really pick the cats. They picked me. They were all strays. They get fed and watered and they get plenty of attention. They are well-cared for. I have 4 cats altogether, so it's not like I have dozens.
I don't think that really has anything to do with the topic, though.
You're right, it's only related as to when you do finally leave home due to a future job, the cats will have to be considered. Seriously, there are always cats being dumped (Craigslist/newspapers) when young people leave home for college, marriage or they took a job and move to a city or town where the work is. Suddenly the cats find themselves homeless and unwanted.
Your friends need not be "cat people" to come in and check on your cats while the family is away. One of my closest friends back home was a 100% dog person yet she had no problem coming in and checking on my son's pets (rabbits, white mice, bird) when we went away for a weekend. The cats and dogs went with us. If you're a church goer you can ask one of the members of a church group if there's anyone who can check on the cats when you go away next time. But sincerely, think and plan for what happens to the cats in a few years when you have to move where the jobs are.
Looking for pet-sitters at church (maybe on a bulletin board) is a really good idea. Who knows, a bunch of congregants might be cat people - the OP might be surprised.
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One of my closest friends back home was a 100% dog person yet she had no problem coming in and checking on my son's pets (rabbits, white mice, bird) when we went away for a weekend. The cats and dogs went with us. If you're a church goer you can ask one of the members of a church group if there's anyone who can check on the cats when you go away next time. But sincerely, think and plan for what happens to the cats in a few years when you have to move where the jobs are.
