an explanation

I know I said I wasn't going to write another blog post before I left, but after a couple of comments on my last post I feel compelled to explain something.  I read back over my last post and realize I made it sound like we would just abandon our cats if nobody wanted them.  That is not true at all.  We are not throwing our cats away.  I would never do that.  I have no desire to throw them out on the street and have them fend for themselves although that is what most Turks have said we should do.  Street cats are abundant here.  We have tried to find them a home.  Unfortunately most Turks do not like to have animals in their homes.  Almost all of the foreigners we know either don't have pets so that they don't offend the Turks they invite into their home or already own their own pets.  Turkey doesn't have animal shelters so that isn't an option.  We do have a back-up plan for our cats, which does not include them fending for themselves in any way.  I was just hoping to find them a permanent home with a loving family before we left.  I will issue a plea on Sunday at church.  I am hoping someone takes pity on them.  If nobody comes forward our vet said he would take them and try to find them a home.  I just didn't want it to be up in the air like that that's all.  I'm sorry if I offended anyone with the callous way I talked about our cats.  Part of me has shut off my feelings as I deal with leaving this place I have called home for almost 7 years now.  It is much easier for me to deal with that way.  So many emotions that I can't even begin to express.  I hope you can understand that.