loneliness and cats

Sympathies, Jud and what a fine photo, honeypot. We had two much loved cats from kittens to their late teens, when both, separately, had to be taken for the one-way trip to the vet. That must have been at least 8 or so years ago, but we still miss their company and talk about them. Never acquired 'replacements' because a house move has been projected (but never materialised) for at least that length of time.

Wow! That's really cute.

You did the right thing for him Jud but you never get used to it, as you say.?

Me too.

That was so thoughtful of them. All I got was a large bill.?

Look what arrived from our vet today! How lovely was that?

I do try not to weep at the vet's but afterwards is a different story. Cali looks a handsome young man- it is so sad when they go for their last visit. You are lucky that you have your dog, I have always returned to an empty house.

I've always had cats and our current old boy is 18. They are great company, though my DH is currently cursing ours as he knocked his tray of curry on the floor as DH sat down! Hugs to those losing a dear companion.

Thanks Nellie that is kind of you. At least we have our lovely young spaniel to cheer us up.

Jud I am sorry to hear that.

Cali passed away peacefully this morning while I stroked his head. I wept buckets. He was elderly and very poorly, but I'll miss him!

D day for our Cali is tomorrow morning. Not looking forward to it. I just feel so guilty about the decision but he was so sick this morning. He is sitting on DH's laptop (for comfort from the heat) at present looking at me. I have lost several cats in the past. Each one a heartbreak. You never get used to it, do you?

Oh Jud I'm so sorry - I've been there so many times and it's heartbreaking

Honey your fur babies are beautiful and in answer to your original heading yes my own cats have helped me through a lot of sad times although equally causing a lot of sadness themselves as they've departed over the years. I too have had baby rabbits, dead and alive, birds, a hare (alive) mice - again dead and alive, frogs and once a tiny lizard though i've no idea where that came from. It is part of nature although I'm not quite sure the string of sausages that one particular naughty boy came racing over the garden with count as wildlife

I have just taken the last of my long line of cats to the vet. He is 14, losing weight fast and vomiting frequently. Vet told me he has bowel cancer. I brought him home for the family to say goodbye and will take him on his last journey on Friday. I think a few tears will be shed. He was a lovely little cat

At least I will still have my (now nearly grown up) pup.

I have had cats – as if one owns cats – all my adult life and always, somehow, also encountered a bunch of strays that I fed regularly and for whom I provided as much comfort and shelter as possible. My three old cats who travelled halfway across the world with me to a new home are no more, the last one dying at 19-years-old a few weeks ago.

However, the abandoned kitten, who looked more like a hamster than a cat and required four-hourly feeds day and night, is flourishing and I have no doubt he will grow into his massively bushy tail.

The feral mums have been neutered and I have taken full responsibility for them. I have, of course, been feeding them pretty much since I started living here.

I love having little animals around. I had said that I would have no more cats after the last of my English brood died – but then little Squeaker came along. I should love to have a dog again, but am concerned that I shall grow too old and feeble to provide enough exercise.

By the way, apparently, stroking a cat – which those of us with cats love to do as often as possible – reduces blood pressure. Quid pro quo. The other great thing, if you live on your own, is that you can chat away to your cat who will usually look as if it is paying attention and weighing your words. Indeed, you can still chat away to your cat if it's sound asleep on your shoulder – and why not?

It seems like I now have two adopted cats who come round to dine. As long as they stay outside it's fine. They have a kennel out there to keep warm and dry in so not a bad life of two semi homeless cats.

Honeypot, you sound like a very brave, practical lady. If I'm ever in your situation I hope I have the guts to reorganise my life as you have done. Well done, you.

Welcome to the forum Honeypot cats are great company.We always had two cats at the same time, they seem happier that way ( most animals do.)
haven't had any for a couple of years now though, and as time goes on feel the need for them less, but am sure at some time will will get at least one.
The hunting and bringing home dead or live creatures is off putting, but natural to cats.You wouldn't think a house with cats would have a mouse ( a free range mouse) but we had them on and off for years and years because of the cats.

Yes I do understand, my husband wouldn't let me have cats, but he died in 2014 and I immediately went to Blue Cross and got my two. They have been such a comfort to me and its so nice to have them. I bought a bungalow last year with garden for me and cats and we love it. I do miss husband of course, but to be honest its so good to be able to do what I like when I like. However I'm not keen on my pretty little black & white cat Jessy catching rabbits, but will have to get used to it

The hair is everywhere, worse when you have one on your lashes! If there is a Cats Protection Branch near you they always need volunteers to help with money raising or sitting and socialising with the cats waiting for homes, bet you fall in love with one!

I'm determined to have a cat again one day I adore them, as far as I'm concerned they are the perfect pet. Unfortunately, although my husband also professes to like them a lot, he says he's allergic to cat hair although he had a cat as a family pet when his first children were growing up. In addition both our sons are also allergic as well as my granddaughter, although like me and my mother she also loves cats too. It's a conspiracy

They sound just what you needed at the time, my cat chose me even though I am a dog person! She is lovely and often brings me a mouse then I spend up to 3 days trying to live catch it and let it go again. Love her face while she watches me but never helps re catch it even when holding the freezer at a crazy angle pleading for her to catch it! Pets love them xx

We once rescued a fish from one of our cats, and had a bowl just about big enough to put the fish in whilst it recovered. We intended to creep up to a neighbours garden and put it in their fish pond newly built, because they were always complaining about our cats catching their fish, and since the cat was in the front, we assumed it was from that pond. Unfortunately, we forgot all about the fish that night, but it was still swimming happily until I filled the kettle and plugged it in, when the fish flew into the air, flopped into the water with a great splash DEAD! It was just as well we did not put it in the neighbours pond, they had not yet put fish there. We have always loved cats, do not have them now, but my daughter has just had two new cats (to her), because their old cat eventually had to be put to sleep. Can't wait to meet them.

One of our cats, Nigel, caught a baby rabbit once but we were lucky enough to get it off him and free it in the nearby woods.

What lovely cats you have honeypot43 and I bet they are great company. Don't talk about catchings! Here's our list from our two "rescued" brothers :
........ mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, birds .... and when we lived in France ....... shrews, moles and woodpeckers. Yes, hunting is definitely a natural instinct where cats are concerned!