02/13/2024
This isn't a message we thought we'd be writing anytime soon, and there's no easy way to say it, so we're just going to say it. Our first litter of 2024 is our only litter of 2024 and our last litter of babies. In other words, we're not going to be breeding anymore. 😔
What you see on social media is typically the highlight reels, with some of the heartache and hard times being shared. What you don't see is everything that being a good breeder sucks out of you.
- Planning trips around when we hope to have babies
- Daily chores instead of TV, Reading, downtime, snuggles on the sofa, etc.
- No family visits because you have babies on the way, mamas to breed, little ones at home, etc.
- Family emergency - who can we trust to house sit? How many babies do we have? The guilt that comes with asking someone else to watch and take care of these creatures that YOU decided to have in your life
- Up all night - sometimes multiple nights - waiting for mamas to go into labor then trying to function the next day at work. And bottle feeding - oh man the bottle feeding if it's needed
- Emergency C- Sections - Do they really need one? Should I take them in? Have I tried everything I can?
We both work full time outside of the cattery, and our parents are getting older and having health issues associated with that...and having living creatures dependent on us makes us way less flexible than we'd like to be able to help. They live states away, so it's not as simple as driving for a few hours to help out.
Our children are also getting older, and we know we only have a few years left with them at home. They're amazing, and they have been so incredibly helpful with the cattery and we couldn't do it without them. But they have their own lives and we want to enjoy every moment we have left with them at home. 👨👩👧👦
The final kicker was realizing I'm allergic to these amazing animals. Remi's a needy mama and after her babies were born it took several days of antibiotic and steroid creams to clear up the eczema on my face. 😳
All of this to say it's been a wild ride and we're so thankful for you joining us on it. To our CuddleRags fam, please stay in touch and we love you. 💖
