Visiting the shelter

On Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:54:11 -0500, Daniel Mahoney
yodeled:

I was thinking that it might be like that with me, so I wasn't sure it
would be a good idea. I sense that having cats in the house could be
a constant reminder that Betty is gone, and it could be a very sad and
depressing existence.

On the other hand, having a new kitty or two to take over your life might
well help to lift your spirits. Betty is gone, but having new masters
could well help you to deal with that by reminding you that you got to
share some wonderful times with Betty, and show you that Betty's spirit
lives on and continues to love you.

Dan


And, well. you get busy, and the cats get busy. You all get busy
discovering each other, and the cats get busy discovering their new
house, which is a huge deal to them. It's fascinating to watch them
discover everything, and especially at that young age-- past
bittyhood, but still somewhat kitten-like-- they're tremendous fun.

I don't know about you, Tak, of course, but if I were presently
without cats, I would grab a pair like that. But the only way you're
going to find out how kitties will affect you would be just to take
the plunge, and I sense you're still reluctant to do that.

If it were a little different-- if Simba and Sophie suddenly turned up
on your doorstep, would you turn them away? I doubt it. You'd take
them right in. And then, there you'd be. You wouldn't have time to
do all this thinking. You'd be plunged right into it-- into the
busy-ness-- and the ridiculousness and fun and silliness and purring
and playing.


Theresa
Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh

Make Levees, Not War

On Jun 14, 11:57 pm, Takayuki wrote:
Karen wrote:
I'm so happy you went!! I was thinking...Hmmm siblings! If you decide
to take the plunge, I hope you get two. They are so good company. And
believe me, they still love hoomans and will never be far away. My
goodness what a LOVELY shelter!

Why two? It worked out well for a while having one kitty. It
sounds like it would be twice as much work!

It's been a long time since I'd been to the shelter. All those
kitties are unique individuals, aren't they? None of them are Betty.
I found Betty there four years ago, but she's no longer there - she
was adopted, lived, and died. I guess she will never reappear.

As a two-owner slave, I can honestly say I don't find having two cats
burdensome. If one of them is ignoring me, I can get attention from
the other. While I'm gone, they keep each other company. Twice the
love, twice the purrs, and maybe half again as much work as one. Betty
cannot be replaced, but she CAN have worthy successors. I think she's
trying to tell you something, Tak!

Melissa

On Jun 15, 7:54 am, Daniel Mahoney wrote:
I was thinking that it might be like that with me, so I wasn't sure it
would be a good idea. I sense that having cats in the house could be
a constant reminder that Betty is gone, and it could be a very sad and
depressing existence.

On the other hand, having a new kitty or two to take over your life might
well help to lift your spirits. Betty is gone, but having new masters
could well help you to deal with that by reminding you that you got to
share some wonderful times with Betty, and show you that Betty's spirit
lives on and continues to love you.

Dan

I agree with Dan. Tak, you've got a lot of love to give to a lucky
cat--or two! We know you were devoted to Betty, and heartbroken to
lose her. But....cats are infinitely rewarding, and I hope you would
be happy to have the company of a new cat friend and learn to love him
or her. It won't be the same, but I'm betting it would still be a good
experience rather than a sad one. I'm sure Betty is cheering you on,
hoping you give another cat the love and security you gave her.
Francesca and Nina are on full purr patrol, hoping you take the
plunge!

Melissa

I was thinking...Hmmm siblings! If you decide to take the plunge,
I hope you get two. They are so good company. And believe me, they
still love hoomans and will never be far away.
Why two? It worked out well for a while having one kitty. It
sounds like it would be twice as much work!
As a two-owner slave, I can honestly say I don't find having two cats
burdensome. If one of them is ignoring me, I can get attention from
the other. While I'm gone, they keep each other company. Twice the
love, twice the purrs, and maybe half again as much work as one.

We've had a lot of cats over the years, and by the time we were
looking for homes for Marblecake's kittens we decided they were
*not* going anywhere singly - we rehomed them as two pairs, and
turned down a lot of people who wanted just one kitten. Cats
never form such a close relationship in later life as with their
littermates.


Betty cannot be replaced, but she CAN have worthy successors.
I think she's trying to tell you something, Tak!

Tak has enough love to handle a vanload of cats. But a pair would
be a good start.

============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk ==============
Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131 660 4760
http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/ for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870 0554 975
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"Takayuki" wrote in message
...
Karen wrote:
I'm so happy you went!! I was thinking...Hmmm siblings! If you decide
to take the plunge, I hope you get two. They are so good company. And
believe me, they still love hoomans and will never be far away. My
goodness what a LOVELY shelter!

Why two? It worked out well for a while having one kitty. It
sounds like it would be twice as much work!

It's been a long time since I'd been to the shelter. All those
kitties are unique individuals, aren't they? None of them are Betty.
I found Betty there four years ago, but she's no longer there - she
was adopted, lived, and died. I guess she will never reappear.


One very good and selfish reason for two or more is that you are more likely
never to be left alone and bereft again. There is nothing like a fur kid to
hang on to when you have a loss of any kind in your life. They grieve to,
but usually only for a very short time.

Jo

"Takayuki" wrote in message
...
Marina wrote:
You'll never love another cat the same way. I don't think I'll ever love
a cat as deeply as I loved Frank. Sometimes, when Caliban snuggles into
my arms, it just makes me miss Frank all the more. But mostly Caliban
and Mir make me happy, though my feeling for them might not be as deep
as what I felt for Frank. All the cats in my life have left me with
different feelings. If you think about it,. it's only natural, because
they are all different, so your feelings for them will be different. I
hope this makes some sense, it sems a bit muddled to me.

I was thinking that it might be like that with me, so I wasn't sure it
would be a good idea. I sense that having cats in the house could be
a constant reminder that Betty is gone, and it could be a very sad and
depressing existence.


But you are already constantly reminded she is gone. So that shouldn't be
an issue.

Jo

Takayuki wrote:
Karen wrote:

I'm so happy you went!! I was thinking...Hmmm siblings! If you decide
to take the plunge, I hope you get two. They are so good company. And
believe me, they still love hoomans and will never be far away. My
goodness what a LOVELY shelter!

Why two? It worked out well for a while having one kitty. It
sounds like it would be twice as much work!

It's been a long time since I'd been to the shelter. All those
kitties are unique individuals, aren't they? None of them are Betty.
I found Betty there four years ago, but she's no longer there - she
was adopted, lived, and died. I guess she will never reappear.

Yes, you will have to decide what you want. If you are looking for
Betty, you should probably stop going to the shelter. If you are looking
for a cat to love and be loved, keep going.

I have learned over the years to look at the glass as half full in
regards to kitties that have left this earth. I am so grateful that they
were in my life, more grateful that they were here than sad that they
had to leave.

Rhonda

Takayuki wrote:
sam wrote:
Congrats, Tak for taking the first step. You *know* Betty would want
you to.

I was really happy to be with the kitties while I was there. But when
I came home, to Betty's home, I realized that none of them were Betty,
and that each one was different. I loved Betty, and I don't think I
could love anyone else exactly the same way.

You have so much love to give to a kitty or two, Tak, there's no need
to worry you wouldn't love her/him/them enough. Any kitty would be
happy to have you as a slave.
Purrs and hugs,
Polonca and Soncek