Animal Lovers: When did you get another after losing yours?/Updated #25

[JESW]

I HAVE to have cats! Back in October we had to put Allie, our beloved cat of 17 years, to sleep. We still have her sister but she is more my DH's cat. Allie was my companion, my shadow, my comfort. I KNEW that I had to get another TWO cats, since one would not have fun with our older cat. We got two 11 week old female kittens 3 weeks ago and it has been great! Our older cat does not like the kittens at all, but we have not had any fights - just lots of hissing and arched backs. We still talk about Allie a lot, but the kittens have brought great joy to us.

We got Koko & Ginger from the local Human Society. It was a tough choice as we wanted to take ALL the cats home! We decided on kittens instead of older cats since we still have two young children. Several of the cats the HS had were cats that came from houses where their owners had passes away - going into a house with children wouldn't have been the best choice.

I hope that your friend will get another cat..or two. There are so many cats who need loving homes. The kitten will never replace Allie, but they are now a part of our family.

Jill

 

[Tigger_Magic]

While the newcomer can never replace the original, you can make new space in your heart!

Too true! You may want to let your friend know, however, that sometimes it may take some effort to bond with the new pet. Don't try to make or expect the new pet act like the former one... that's the whole "replacement" concept and it'll never work. And allow plenty of time for bonding. I've found that some pets bond quickly, while others take a long time. Enjoy the discovery process of making a new "fur-friend."

 

[CheshireVal]

Too true! You may want to let your friend know, however, that sometimes it may take some effort to bond with the new pet. Don't try to make or expect the new pet act like the former one... that's the whole "replacement" concept and it'll never work. And allow plenty of time for bonding. I've found that some pets bond quickly, while others take a long time. Enjoy the discovery process of making a new "fur-friend."

Good point! Pets, like children, have very unique and distinct personalities. But while a new pet can be a completely different experience from your first, it's still fulfilling in its own special way.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

These are great, guys - thank you so much!

I think it's especially hard right now because it's the holidays. He visited us last night and was happily mauled by the affections of a German Shepherd and a Golden Retriever - my own and another friend's who was visiting - and he said it felt good. Having lost two of my own beloved dogs in 2004 and 2005, it brought tears to my eyes to watch them. You wonder sometimes if animals know when people are hurting.

I am going to print this thread and give it to him.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'd like to thank you all again. I printed this thread and gave it to my friend along with a homemade card from my DD8, some chocolates and a few poems from www.petloss.com. Here is what he had to say:

The poems are so true and so deep felt. The ones I read put wells of tears in my eyes. I also felt so validated in my sadness and grief by what your members of your on line discussion group wrote in response to your question. I'm really glad you did that and gave me the print outs.

I'd also like to include one poem (from the above website) that I think suits all of us here. aw: aw: aw: aw:

Your Pets In Heaven
by Ken D. Conover

To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Your Pets In Heaven

P.S. Any other stories are welcomed.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

We had to put our Bandit kitty down in July 2003-she was 13 yrs old and had cancer. We waited a full year until DH would even think about getting another cat. So we adopted a 3 yo calico cat from SPCA in September 2004. We had to put her down last week (after only having her one year) because she was in renal failure.(birth defect that we didnt know about).

Now our dog is having problems and he is only 9yo. I hope to God we dont have to put him down as well. We also have another pomeranian that just turned 12 yo.

DH actually said yesterday he doesnt want anymore pets. I cant imagine living without them but this being an adult thing and putting them to sleep is killing us. It is so hard.

This has been an interesting thread..

 

[mousey]

I know exactly how your friend is feeling. Our beloved Mr. Bojangles had the same thing (facial cancer) and a day doesn't go by that I don't think about or miss him. He was only 7 yrs old. He found us when he was about 1 yr. old and showed up at our back door after Christmas and never left. We have another cat (Pooky) that was left behind by a neighbor. She is also about 7-8 yrs. old. There are many times I would like to get another cat, but its so difficult to think about. This will be our first Christmas without Mr. Bojangles and I dread it. He was my baby and its so hard. Good luck to your friend--its very hard!