Dumped cat - very uncertain future

[KeaauRich]

And since I also threatened to derail the topic, I'll also offer one parting comment. There are positives and negatives about any place one might live (by choice or otherwise). People who grow up in some of the most desolate, god-forsaken places can't imagine leaving because "it's home." As for Puna, yes, Chris, all of the things you mention do exist here. But we also see flowers, rainbows and other spectacular beauty almost everwhere we look. There are many caring, wonderful people here (witness this thread about folks caring for a stray cat, or my experience when a stranger returned a notebook I had left in a WalMart shopping cart - a notebook that <I admit foolishly> contained the passwords to many sensitive accounts). I don't wake up to daily news reports of murders like I did in DC - here if there is a murder, it's really news! The bottom line is, I guess, that life is what you make it. I think the disconnect that Carol and I feel about your comments is that those of us who choose to live here see and acknowledge the good and bad about Puna, and have decided that for us, the positives far outweigh the negatives. But in your posts, you can't seem to acknowledge any positives, and question why any of can.

I don't think our attitude was "love it or leave it" - but more a genuine questioning of why you would want to stay someplace that you clearly don't like. You answered that question. You're clearly a kind hearted, special person and true friend as shown by your devotion in helping your friend - especially since it involves trips to a place that's not your cup of tea. I hope your friend's situation improves ASAP and that you find happiness and contentment wherever you end up. By the way - have you thought about adopting a cat???