Basically I got my cat about 5 years ago when I was single and no DC. I didn't get her from a rescue but I did rescue her - the woman I took her off had very badly abused her. She was about 2 when I got her and had already had several litters of kittens, crawling with flees, scared of everything, skin and bone etc. With a lot of very expensive vet trips and tlc she returned to full health, but she's never been a cuddly cat. That was fine with me, she would often sleep in my bed, she just didn't like to sit on laps and be stroked.
In time I met my dp and we had our son. When DS arrived she seemed quite unhappy and hid a lot. Then my dp got offered a job abroad and we decided to move. Original plan was to take my cat but the process was very expensive (over £1000) and she would have had to spend a month in quarantine in the middle of a very bitter Scandinavian winter. My mother lives in a lovely quiet little cottage in the countryside and offered to look after her through the winter while we got settled. Anyway, one thing led to another and she ended up staying with my mother for our whole time abroad (1.5 years).
We're now returning to England, expecting dd in October, and will be living very close to my mother for about 6 months before moving somewhere else in England for dps next job (which will hopefully be permanent). I miss my cat a lot. The plan was never to rehome her. In a perfect world I'd take her back once we're based back in England. But would that be best for her? I feel like she's been through a lot of upheaval and stress in her life and she's happy at my mums. My mum loves her and is happy to keep her permanently. Her home is quiet without any small children trying to stroke her. It's safe, in a little village with a big garden. I love my cat and want her back but want to do what's best for her. What would you do?