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Do l get another cat/s ?

(79 Posts)
Blacktabby2 Tue 30-Jul-19 15:37:43

Hi. I lost my 19yr old cat back in March. In 30 years we have always had cats. I broke my heart when our neighbour kindly took her to the vets. We couldn't deal with it. Her ashes are back , buried in our garden with our other cats. We said NO MORE...we were so so sad. However after going into a cat charity shop the other day we saw photos of cats desperately needing homes. Oh dear. Tomorrow we are going to the cat sanctuary to look. I love cats so much but the hurt took a long time to get over. We are both retired (late 50s) and live in the country and not near a main road. Can l love another little pussycat? Not kittens...would adopt an older cat. I am so scared of it getting lost or whatever...obviously l would keep it in i initially...
In the last year both our mums have died and my best mate. Maybe we need something to bring joy into our homes? Perhaps l am answering my own question!! Thankyou for reading xxx

Paperbackwriter Thu 01-Aug-19 14:19:32

You sound like exactly the sort of person who should have a cat. It'll be a very lucky one that gets you, so go for it! And yes, they die - but yours got to such a lovely old age so although it's so very sad when they do, it was the natural time and all is well. Good luck and let us know when you've got your new one.

Cobweb01 Thu 01-Aug-19 14:16:02

Blacktabby2, we have 2 6 year old cats but our eldest will be 18 in October - not sure if she'll make it due to kidney issues. My heart breaks at the thought of her not being here but it made my husband and I think what we would do when our other two have gone, as the heartbreak can be too much. We decided, that despite the fact it could be painful for us, we would keep going to cat homes/shelters and adopting older cats so they can live out their lives in comfort and feeling loved and wanted. I say go for it, as you have already decided to get an older cat. Good on you and I hope you find that joy again.

b1zzle Thu 01-Aug-19 14:13:58

The paw prints on your heart won't be quite so painful if you adopt another one... or two ….

Happysexagenarian Thu 01-Aug-19 13:55:03

Blacktabby I think you've answered your own question. Those photos have triggered new feelings of need for a feline friend. Give careful thought to the long term expenses and implications and if that looks good, go for it! Perhaps you already have. Your beloved previous cat would be so proud of you. Do let us know what you decide.

Deni1963 Thu 01-Aug-19 13:04:11

Oh yes you must! You have so so much love to give and how sad to deprive a cat desperate for a safe home - I know the pain of losing them is so hard ( I've lost two but have three still with me ) - and I look back and think how happy and loved they were - please update us xx

Nana29 Thu 01-Aug-19 13:02:20

I have always had 1 or 2 cats and when I lost my last one last year the house felt so empty. I felt I couldn’t get a kitten as it would probably outlive me and that would worry me. Also we go away a lot more than we ever did so it wouldn’t be fair to a cat. However I can’t live without one so my solution was to register with Battersea dogs and cats home as a cat fosterer. I can look after a cat between trips!

Craftycat Thu 01-Aug-19 12:44:20

This time last year having lost our beautiful Mulligan & left with his sister who is not a lap cat we visited our local rescue centre & somehow came home with 3 more cats. Don't ask-they saw us coming-the cats I mean!
A year on& it was the best thing we have ever done. They have given our old cat a new lease of life-the GC adore them & they are a constant source of entertainment for us. They rule the house & get away with murder. Totally spoilt rotten.
At one time we did have 6 cats, a dog & were fostering kittens for CPL so we do have 'previous' but I can honestly say these 3 have given us so much joy & fun.
Get 2 cats to keep each other company.

Castafiore Thu 01-Aug-19 11:56:59

A new cat will be very different from the one that you've sadly lost. You'll still treasure memories of her, but will have all the happiness of a new feline presence. We have a friend who summed up our feelings on this - he said he couldn't see the point of a house without a cat. It would be like a house without books.

midgey Thu 01-Aug-19 11:56:41

I hope the OP is busy with her new cat/s which is why she hasn’t come back yet!

Gizmogranny Thu 01-Aug-19 11:52:39

When I lost my beloved Siamese, then a year later my beloved black cat I was devastated. My life felt empty. Getting another kitten, about a year later, changed my life. He brought me so much joy. Eight months later I got another little kitten. The two have been companions for 12 years now and I’ve never looked back. I know that one day my heart will be broken again but that is what life is all about. My two cats know they are absolutely adored and when the time comes I know I will get another cat. I have so much love for them so why should it go to waste. Blacktabby2, get another cat. You won’t regret it.

Sheilasue Thu 01-Aug-19 11:51:10

We have a cat he is now 5 love him so much. We had a cat when we first got married and after a few years she disappeared I never found her. Our lovely tabby doesn’t go out he likes to be indoors with his toys and towers.
I think it’s a good idea to get one from a rescue centre.
We had ours from a kitten but there are so many rescue cats
If we ever got another one it would be a rescue cat. Do get another one.

BladeAnnie Thu 01-Aug-19 11:36:57

Please do get another rescue cat. There are always so many looking for loving homes - especially older ones who tend to get overlooked in favour of kittens. My OH travels a great deal for work and my lovely old ginger boy is such good company ?

Bijou Thu 01-Aug-19 11:34:45

I love cats and always had one but now because of my age and disabilities I am unable to have one. The various cats I have had in my life have all been different in temperament. At one time I had two. One was very quiet and placid the other a ginger Tom, lively and wild but they tolerated one another.

jaylucy Thu 01-Aug-19 11:28:54

Yes get another cat! (or two) They provide so much companionship to you while still having their own independence.
My cat turned up in my neighbours garden several years ago and despite trying to find her owners ( she was at that time a kitten/cat) we were unsuccessful so she moved in with us and I wouldn't be without her - even though I don't think that at 4am when she's patting my face and jumping on me!) There are times when she makes it worth getting up everyday too.
The fact that you are off to a sanctuary makes me think that the decision has already been made!

lovebeigecardigans1955 Thu 01-Aug-19 11:28:26

If you really love cats and your house isn't a home without one then do get another. You will come to love it in time. You are around ten years younger than me - for myself I won't replace puss when he goes though I will miss him.

Mouse Thu 01-Aug-19 11:25:23

When I lost my darling Pru at the age of 10 I said I would never have another cat. I now have two who I love very much. I wouldn’t be without them. They can never replace Pru but the filled a cat shaped hole in my heart. Go for it.

Megs36 Thu 01-Aug-19 11:22:40

Yes I know the feeling, our 'last' cat died about 8 years ago and 'no more' we said, had animals all our married life,they break your heart, then a friend of a friend's cat had a litter.... And.... big mistake, we are 83 and he is now 4 and almost certainly will outlive us. But even so we fell in love (he didn't! Just tolerates us!) and he is in complete charge of the whole house. Sometimes I worry what will happen to him in the future but hope family will step in if necessary. So I say if you love cats go for it.???

Merseybelle2 Thu 01-Aug-19 11:21:13

Blacktabby2 Did you get another cat ? We were adopted by a stray cat that had lived as a feral in our area for years. Over two years he gradually moved in and we adored him, despite his habit of spraying everywhere so the house reeked ! We adored him. Then one day he went out and never came back. That was five years ago. I still check to see if he turns up anywhere but I am pretty certain he must have been run over and killed. We had tried putting a collar on him but kept getting them returned from various places as he was like Houdini in taking them off. He seemed to have a massive territory with a two mile radius.
I’m still heartbroken over him. Pathetic as it probably sounds, I felt so much joy cradling him in my arms. I keep thinking of getting another but we didn’t really get him, he got us.

Pinkrinse Thu 01-Aug-19 11:20:24

There are so many cats needing homes it would be wicked not to take one. Remember the old adage; “it’s better to have loved and lost then never have loved at all.” Certainly true with animals, although they always break your hearts in the end.
Go for it. Dxxx

Hellsbelles Thu 01-Aug-19 11:17:30

I expect a good few of us on here are keen for you to return and let us know how you got on.
Pic of our cat.

JacquiG Thu 01-Aug-19 11:17:00

You need a cat friend to manage your life and be the centre of your attention. (When permitted.) Go for it.

nettyandmasey Thu 01-Aug-19 11:11:39

I lost my 18 1/2 years old boy Pickle last year, I lasted just over two weeks and couldn’t stand it. Didn’t alter how I felt about my trusty companion but living alone the house was empty. I got three kittens and they are a joy. Could never be without a cat.

SillyNanny321 Thu 01-Aug-19 11:11:36

Please do adopt another cat. So many older cats need a home. I lost my Boys one nearly 15 & my other just 15. They grew up together after we rescued them. Broke my heart but CP had two Girls, Mum & Daughter needed a home. 5 years on I love them as much as my Boys but for different reasons as they are totally different. So please give another cat or two a new home. You will not regret it!

HannahLoisLuke Thu 01-Aug-19 11:07:22

I'm going to go against the grain here.
Why not get a small rescue dog instead and give the wildlife a break.
You say you're retired so you'd probably enjoy going for walks and meeting others with their dogs.
I hope you're not offended by my suggestion, good luck with whatever you decide.

polnan Thu 01-Aug-19 10:49:50

I am 83! always had dogs and cats.. love them both

my beloved sheltie died 2 years ago, and I still miss her terribly... think it is cos I am retired, and no one else to care for, (have husband!)

have an "outdoor" cat of 19 years of age

got a rescue cat last year... she is lovely, keep her in at night, and deal with litter tray.... she has the run of our small house ,, let her out during the day,,, she never goes far,, comes in at night, 8 pm. at the moment , when I call her..

she would have died if we hadn`t taken her from the not so good rescue place..

go get one... I would like to take more,, but I have to be realistic with my age... we live in a reasonably quiet close..
but some nice gardens for her to visit...

go get one.... or two .. you are younger than I am!

please let us know how you get on?

Here is MissT (misty) hope I got a good photo, never done this on this site before