Oh man, I feel for you. I hate being put in situations where one doesnt have a choice and has to depend on other people because when someone else does drop the ball its so frustrating. Lack of control = PTSD trigger galore.

I hope your cat is ok regardless. Thats such a simple task seems so pointless to lie about it Im sure if the one neighbor is like that another one will be able to step up. If you can afford it, maybe throwing some extra dollars at a kid on your street would yield better results. Kids will always jump at a chance to earn a few bucks when its something reasonable for them to do.

As for the group, that sucks too. Ive been in situations like that before. I dont really have a good explanation for people like this but I can definitely tell you that you aren't the only one this happens too.

How are you feeling as far as your health goes?

What your neighbor did was pretty scummy, you have a right to be frustrated about her. And it's not like you were going off on a vacation, which adds to the frustration.

Not everyone in this world is just a fair-weather friend, but we seem to find out that someone is just when we could use their support the most. It is hard if someone else is less commited in a relationship, less giving, than we are.

Just bear in mind that not everyone is like those people. There are some actual mature, compassionate adults in this world.

Sorry people let you down. They'll do that. When my kidney disease became serious 2 years ago, I was surprised to see who headed for the hills rather than hang in there with me.

But lesson learned. I took care of myself and I'm proud of that. And then right when you think nobody cares, someone who didn't have to care will actually care. You'll see. People are funny both ways.

The leading cause of lying in my experience is that inability to say, "No." Recognizing that went a long way in my own struggle to see compassion in an honest, "No." An over-extended "Yes" causes an awful lot of inconvenience.

Hope kitty survived the neglect and that you are healing well.

Who needs people? This lone stranger wannabe wishes I could say, "Not me!" Alas, humans are gregarious by nature. Whether I like people or not, I still need them...

Onward through the fog...

sorry i have no answer, it seems to find real friend who wil care very, very very hard

If for any reason you have to go away again,if your cat is an inside cat, then you can leave plenty of food and water for her to have. She will just be lonely. I have a very hard time relying on anyone for anything. I haven't found too many people who are true to their word. I had one close friend when I lived in New Mexico, I did have one friend I could count on for most things. Then, my husband att he time, managed to keep me away from her. And as much as I want to say mean things about my husband, when I was in the hospital, over and over, he was their for me. At home was always different. Any way, I now am close to my one and only true friend, a man I have known for around 33 years. I can count on him for anything. I am lucky to have him. Other wise, what is the point of people? I don't fine anyone who thinks similar as i do to become a friend. And I am so tired of someone trying to cure me or talk me out of my life style. So, I don't want anyone around me, I stay home almost all the time.

i need people, just not that type of `people'.

some people are fantastic, amazing, beautiful souls who's word is gold

don't hate us all `cos your neighbour is a tool. hehe. :)

I've had major disappointments with a lot of people. I have chronic illness, that seems to drive people away like a high Geiger counter reading. I'm not contagious or anything like that...I think people tend to avoid anyone who's "needy" in any way.

I haven't given up hope about finding decent people in the world, but I'm discouraged...I'll admit to that. I live alone and almost never have any company at all. A neighbor stopped by about a month ago...first person to set foot in my house in years.

They would say they want to help or promise to visit me...then just never show up. So I've resigned myself to being alone. That's better than having people keep letting me down.