Adopting cats

[Deleted]

As some of you might know I lost my beloved cat early this week, she had been ill for a couple of weeks and when her heart started to stuggle, snd sh let me know she'd had enough I had to do the kindest thing, even though it broke my heart,

I had a call today from a friend of a friend who asked me if I would take two cats that were badly in need of a new home. They have been in an animal shelter for 4 months, people either want one and not the other, or they think they are ugly (one is a little quirky looking, but what a personallity!). I've always had orientals and know how wonderfully odd and demanding they are, constantly chittering away. I think I might just have to
adopt these two, what does everone else think?

Daisy is a three year old Oriental Shorthair and Portia is a 4 year old Devon Rex - both quite traumatized by living in a cattery for 4 months - needing lots of love and laps. OH instantly fell for the Rex.

i51.photobucket.com/albums/f356/DeeAshton/portia.jpg

[jlottie]

Go for it Dee, it would be great to keep them both together, I think that cats need company and they look as though they get on great together.

[Susie Snowdrop]

Oh Dee, I'm really sorry about your pussy . I know how much I love my Tilly so can really feel for you

How can you say no to two characters like that . You'll give them a good loving home that they need and, will put a smile on your face. You're not replacing just giving a much needed home.

Susie x

[chickadeedeedee]

I am so sorry that your kitty died! It was the greatest act of love and courage to put her feeling before yours!

{{{{{{{cyber hug}}}}}}}

If you **NEED** these two then by all means ... they may no doubt need you as well! If not I'm sure someone else will come and make a new home in your heart!

ChickaDDD

[Alicat]

Go for it Dee.

They need YOU and all the love you can give.

Will PM you in the week.

Big hugs to you.



Alicat.

[toonia]

What reservations do you have Dee? Is it too soon? Follow your heart, there will always be other pussies to adopt if you don't take these.
I must admit to falling for the "ugly" one though, looks to have so much character!

[lottielady]

They are lovely Dee - and when are picking them up?


LL x

[sweetleaf]

Go on, Dee, you know you want to, you are a cat person without a cat after all, and they look like they deserve a break!

[Deleted]

Oh Dee .Please take the little ones in so they can stay together. We once went to a rescue centre for one dog and were introduced to 2 white poodles who had been dumped from the boot of a car. We will never forget the way they tumbled all over each other in their rush to see who we were. We took them so they could stay together and never never regretted it. They were bundles of fun and we were devastated when each one died of old age some 9 or 10 years later.
I am so sorry about the death of your little one and know what a hole it will leave. You were so brave to do the right thing and stop her suffering, but that is no reason why you can't have lots more fun and love from these two and give them love and security in return.

Please do

Wx

[Deleted]

Dee, I do sympathise ... I had to put down my 20-year-old moggie two years ago and still miss her. But these two look gorgeous (the ginger one has a hilarious pompous look) - if you feel you're ready do adopt them ... cheers ...

[Cheerypeabrain]

Deepest Sympathy on the loss of your cat, she was beautiful (the one that looked like a puma and hunted moles?).
If you feel ready then these 2 little demons might help a bit...and they need a good home. BUT as has already been said...go with your heart dearie. Keep us informed won't you?...

[grannyjanny]

Hi Dee. So sorry to here about your kitty. The picture looks lovely. Go for it if you are ready.
We never wanted a cat but we were adopted by a young cat that lived behind us. She has been with us 5 years now & is curled up on the sofa next to me, on her fleece.
Janet.

[4pygmies]

Dee, I'm so sorry but you can remember all those lovely years you had together.. When my beloved dog died several years ago I vowed never to have another but I was dragged reluctantly (ish) to look at some puppies in the village and saw the littlest runt..........so only a month after I had a puppy and it DOES help. I found it helped me remember the lovely times with my old dog and distracted me from missing him so terribly. AND it sounds like these two need you.......and they look amazing!

[Deleted]

Thanks all. My problem is I feel so disloyal to her, by taking in another cat so soon.

I am such a state, I keep thinking about how those two poor little ones are so in need of someone to love them, but I so desparetely miss Kiri, I've been in tears most of the weekend, not wanting to think of those two being stuck in the rehoming centre, but so missing the headbutts and the puring in my ear as she was draped across my shoulders. All I really want is her back and I know I can't have that.

I'm scared of not being able to give them all the love they need because they can't ever replace her.

I feel so stupid. I'm a grown up for goodness sake.

[toonia]

It's got nothing to do with being grown-up, Dee! You loved her, presumably she was with you a long time and you need to mourn. I don't think there's a pet owner who would think you silly!
I always hesitate before encouraging anyone to take on an animal. There's no need to feel guilty about the other two cats, there are so many abandoned animals out there and you can't take on all of them. We looked at a lot of sad dogs before we chose the P, we just knew he was meant to be our dog.
When he goes I fully intend to have a dog free period but know we will rescue another when the time feels right.
Don't beat yourself up! It's all so recent and raw, only you know if new moggies would help you or not at this time!
Anyway, give yourself lots of treats and bawl as much as you need to!

[sweetleaf]

Dont feel you are being disloyal, Dee, I know that Kiri holds a special place in your heart, but love isnt a pie you can slice up or run out of, the more you love, the more love you have to give.
Im sure Kiri wouldnt hold it against you if you gained some comfort and gave these needy cats a home.
On the other hand, if you arent ready then you arent, do what you need to do. Im sure you know what you really want, dont act if you dont really want to.

[Cheerypeabrain]

Would the homing centre let you foster the 2 pussycats for a week? Then they would be away from the conditions they loathe and you would be able to see if you could love them They will never replace Kiri, they're are additional to her...extra helpings of cat.
My latest cat is not a lap cat, and is as timid as a mouse around strangers...she doesn't give her affections lightly...whereas both my previous cats were complete tarts. There is something special about a cat deciding that she would quite like to sit next to you on the sofa.....and my opinion is that once you've had a cat...you are hooked for life.
Wishing you warm hugs Dee...
CPBx

[lottielady]

Sweetleaf and CPB have said what I was going to say Dee - and a cat will decide on you rather than you decide on a cat ! I had 3 that 'decided' they were living here and one of them moved in when he was 10 weeks old and would'nt stay with his 'owner' He cost me a fortune at the vets as he used up about 10 lives before he was 10yrs! He was a dude of a bruiser who ended up with one eye but he was the best cat in the world to me!

Go and see the cats again when you feel up to it - and you'll know if they want you to bring them home. It won't change how you feel about Kiri and the sadness of her loss - but it may help you get over it.

LL x

[Alicat]

PM. Dee.

[madonplants]

You sound like you are ready in my view. When we lost our rough collie, Jemma some years ago, I wanted a new one straight away. We checked out various breeders and there were no puppies available. I had to wait, which actually helped my wife and me if I am honest. We had to have Jemma put to sleep (hate that saying) as she had become doubly incontinent. I was there to the end, which I felt was right, but still hated it, in a way, but glad I did it. I thought I was killing her. The vet gave me a book on pet bereavement and it certainly helped. She told me to keep it as long as I needed it. I gave it back after about three weeks. Jemma had saved my life when I first suffered depression, so you can understand how I felt. I thought my wife had left me, she was only going out to buy a special plant to help cheer me up, but I must have missed her saying that. It took her three garden centres to find it as well. I did all the usual things. I had wrote a letter, got the whisky and the tablets. As I was opening the bottle, Jemma got up and took them from me and barked loudly for the first time. She was only a puppy. It made me phone a friend, so to speak, until Jennifer came home. She found the note in the bin later and asked what happened. The rest is history, and don't want to bore you with that. My medical nurse I had (don't like saying psychiatric nurse) told me, when someone gets suicidal they release a hormone, which the dog can smell. So you see getting another dog, was hard, how can you follow that? Souki, another rough collie, is a different dog in her own right and you have to remember that, it is important. I still miss Jemma, but I am sure Jemma would have said, when you are ready Dad, get a new one. Only you can really make that decision. But those two look to have character, so I don't think you will be disappointed.
Hope this helps.
Keith

[Deleted]

Thank you all so much, and bless you Keith I know where you are coming from

We're picking them up on Thursday. All I have to do now is to think of new names for them - sorry I can't live with 'Daisy' and 'Portia'.

The Rex will be Minx- because she's going to be a real little character, and a minx- OH is totally bessotted by her. All I have to do now think of a name for the glorious golden oriental - any suggestions?

[Susie Snowdrop]

Good for you Dee, I'm sure it will all work out perfectly

Names for pussycat........
Amber
Aurora
Peking
Orient
Char Sui
No. 156 (Chow Mein)........... ;D

[rhodadendron]

I had a look through a list of Terry Pratchett characters to see if any suited. One of the minor ones is called Dorcas. This has the advantage of having the same vowel sound as Portia.

[sweetleaf]

Sasha, Elsa, (born free) but who am I to advise...hehe mine are called Stripe Trouble and Brother, although I had a VERY posh cat once called Clawdia, lol....at the same time, another cat of mine was called Nosey! ;D ;D

[Plocket]

Oh Dee I'm so sorry to read your thread. I know you've been worrying about your cat for a while and think you did the best thing in the end, for her at least. I'm glad you have decided to take Daisy and Portia and you shouldn't feel disloyal at all - I'm sure its better for you to have some company, especially while you grieve and they can help you through the sadness.

Px

[Plocket]

As for names, how about Shishi, which I believe is Lion in Japanese (going with the Oriental theme) or Shizi which is lion in Chinese (I think she looks lion-ish).

[Deleted]

Are they used to being together? Can you have them both? Then do it.......it takes a while to replace a friend who's been with with you all those years, but you are thinking of having them and won't they be happy? Think about that.
They'll never replace Kiri, but they'll end up being just as special in their own way.

[Alicat]

Hi Dee

I am so pleased for you. I'm sure you have made the right decision. It will take time for all of you to adjust. but you will. And have lots of fun in the process. (as well as a few tears.)

As for names I will have to think about that one. Will PM you in the week.

Got to go now OH is home.

Good luck for Thursday.
Take care.

Alicat.

[Cheerypeabrain]

Jolly pleased to hear that you'll be adopting the cats. Minx is a good name...what about Minnie for the other one? (or is that too common?)
Will go away and think hard...it's an important decision...but you'll no doubt think of one in the first few days that you are living together...aw.

AND brave of you to open up like that madonplants. Know what you mean about the sensitivity of animals to their owners' state of mind. I was off work for 12 months a few years ago with depression...my lovely dog played a significant and important role in my recovery. I've stuck to cats since Kipperdog died 2 years ago, OH and I just couldn't face losing another doggie.

My pussycat is walking up the stairs and I can hear her purring from here....I'd better go and tell her how beautiful she is. (again)

[Susie Snowdrop]

plocket said:

As for names, how about Shishi, which I believe is Lion in Japanese (going with the Oriental theme) or Shizi which is lion in Chinese (I think she looks lion-ish).

Oooooh P, what an excellent name!

You're sooooooooooo clever ;D