Shoulder to cry on please

Katiehound

Sorry to hear your news but you absolutely did the right thing. We have the gift that means our beloved furry friend does not need to suffer. No, the owners suffer instead, but that is what happens when you have pets.

As I write this I have tears in my eyes for the real Katiehound- I lost her 13 years ago, but it's still hard. Her 'replacement' is now 15 and she has good days and bad days. Fifteen is a good age for quite a large dog. Ever since I have  had two dogs I have had to get another when one has died simply because I have a grieving dog to consider, never mind the owner.

I think you are making the right decision. Go away and enjoy being tourists and then when you get home...... well, I suspect your house won't be a home without a furry companion. You certainly aren't too old to consider another cat, but maybe an adult, not a kitten.

You need to remember all the lovely times you had and grieve, after all Squeaky was a valued member of the family 

Take care


 

Frugalista

When humans die, they make a will
To leave their homes and all they have
to those they love.
I, too, would make a will if I could write.
To some poor wistful, lonely stray
I leave my happy home,
My dish, my cosy bed, my cushioned chair, my toy.
The well loved lap, the gentle stroking hand,
the loving voice,
The place I made in someone's heart,
The love that at the last could help me to
a peaceful painless end
Held in loving arms.
If I should die, Oh do not say,
"No more a pet I'll have,
to grieve me by it's loss"
Seek out some lonely, unloved cat
And give my place to him.
This is the legacy I leave behind -
'tis all I have to give.

Murphybear

Thank you, that is lovely

SensibleSarah

Very sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my two oldie cats late last year within a couple of months of each other. They were both 18 and I'd had them since kittens. They'd been with me through 5 house moves and all of the ups and downs of life for so long and I was devastated.  Not helped by the fact I'd also had to have my 13 year old rescue dog put to sleep a couple of months earlier after having her for a decade. With each, I just knew when it was their time and their quality of life was starting to suffer. 
I have another middle aged cat (who is really struggling being the only cat for the first time in her life) and since my dog passed away I have adopted another two rescue dogs (the first one I adopted the same week as my last dog died). I'm not one for an empty house! But I can totally understand that everyone is different and pets are a big responsibility (emotionally as much as anything else) that some people like to take a break from. 
Take your time and do what feels right for you. Another cat isn't a replacement of the one you've lost, it's a totally separate opportunity to give a cat a lovely home x

TripleH

It is a concern (in deep recesses of my brain) that due to good health of our eldest and that our middle 2 are pure bred  and so close in age that we could loose all 3 in a short space of time.

I fear our boy being so dependent on his sister would go to pieces if she goes before him. The thought beings tears to my eyes now.

Then I remember the happiness they all bring to our lives.

As I type my wife (following a BBC article) is looking at rescue cats to bring into our pack.

I should take her phone off of her one day....

MovingForwards

I'm so sorry MurphyBear, it's never easy losing a furball, or making that decision.

In time you'll know whether you want another, for now look after yourself and talk as much as you want, it all helps with the grieving process.

Like others my home always 'felt' wrong when I lost one; my first lot I lost 2 within 6 months and another had a major op 6 months after that; she carried on for years even having another major op and I put my life on hold for the last few of hers.

I'm conscious mine isn't getting younger and my OH is so attached to her; cat and I came as a pair into this relationship.  We've had the talk and will be having more. For me it's part of the prep, their funeral helps me with the healing process, but it still hurts each time.

Sending a virtual hug and 💐

TripleH

@MovingForwards I'm in your husband's position. Our boss came with my wife.

I think we need to have the chat moreso because we haven't yet rather than thinking we need to.

Yes our eldest has bad days when air pressure changes dramatically but the rest of the time she rules 2 Burmese (5&6) and a Maine Coon (22 mnths) with an iron paw the rest of the time despite being the lightest.

MovingForwards

@TripleH it's easier to do the chat in advance, than when the time comes and everything is raw. That way there's also time to adjust if the response isn't what you'd hope to hear. 

I think I mentioned the one who had the ops in your thread one time, battered another just for accidentally ruffling her fur while they were both sleeping and passed away a few hours later. They're made of strong stuff and hide things well.

My OH (not married yet, it's on the to do list) would have a flat full as he loves cats, I'm trying to convince him a couple will keep him on his toes. If we do move, we'll have space for a few.

KxMx

I haven't felt ready to adopt again after losing my Lily 3 years ago- and after being turned down for fostering, I now volunteer two mornings a week as a foster support volunteer (cat cuddler).
I absolutely love it and it fills my cat cravings nicely. I get all the nice parts of caring and looking after them with none of the responsibility. I admit since losing Lily not having that responsibility has been nice and i've enjoyed the freedom.
I don't see myself as catless forever but certainly for the longer term.

Savvy_Sue

I'm not sure where they got him from, but my parents adopted an older cat with multiple needs. The vet always said how fortunate this cat had been to find them: he was not attractive, nor was he particularly friendly, but they looked after him and loved him in his dotage. That's something to think about as time goes by. 

Oh, and I met a friend recently who I know is really keen to get another cat to replace two who died over a year ago. I asked how that was going - they put it off while they had major building work carried out and the garden landscaped, so I expected to hear news of a new furball. But now they are 'first responders' for an elderly cat living with elderly parents: if the parents become unable to cope with the cat, or when they die, my friend will have a new cat - although not for long, because it's another elderly animal in need of a final home.