i've decided it's time to go to the humane society

[fizzgig]

it's been ten weeks since we said goodbye to our sweet girl and i love my dim girl dearly, but this one cat business sucks. mia and mira were together for 13 years and mira has never been an only cat and i can tell she's a bit lonely. late nights, when she and the husband are fast asleep in bed, are still very had for me because that was my special time with my fat cat.

the husband is still a bit resistant to the idea and i feel like quite the ass bulldozing him into it, but i know this is what my family needs.

the shelter has an adoption event on saturday and there is no adoption fee for adult cats, but husband is working all day and wouldn't be able to come with me, so i need to talk to him about how involved he wants to be with the decision. saturday would be the ideal day as we would have the whole weekend to bond and adjust together, but we'll do it sunday if he wants to be there.

i brought my beloved home (quite impulsively) when i was 16 and although she's still very much my cat, we haven't lived together for ten years and this will be the first time i've chosen a cat as an adult. i want an older kitty because i don't have time for a kitten and the kittens will get adopted regardless, but i'm feeling the weight of the choice already. i know i'm going to go in there and immediately want them all.

[shenmue]

1. Yay for kittums!

Squee!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Go with your gut feelings, my dear fizzgig...

And good luck with all of it.

[fizzgig]

10. thanks, peggy

i'm excited to have a new friend i know fat cat, a generally disapproving kitteh, would approve of me giving a home to someone who needs it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. When you go there, a cat will pick you.

And you'll know this cat will be the right one.

[fizzgig]

11. my heart is open

[okasha]

17. That's how it happens.

[ginnyinWI]

4. Yes please do choose an older cat

Not only because they are more likely to need a home, but because of your Mira being older. She won't have time for kitten tricks or even the activity level of a younger adult cat. If she is 13, I'd look at cats age 9 and older. Good luck and have fun! Older cats still have a lot of love to give.

edited to add: common wisdom says that a male will make friends more easily with her than another female. Unless they have grown up together, two females can be too competitive for territory to be good friends.

[fizzgig]

8. i'm leaning toward a male

she hadn't gotten along with females in the past, but they were crazy and high strung.

[Phentex]

5. yes that is the problem...

I have been looking at dogs at the humane society and I already want 3 or 4 of them.

Or all of them.

I'm not ready yet...but I know it will be hard to keep from bringing at least 3 home.

Good luck with choosing your new family member!!!

[fizzgig]

12. i wish we had the room for three

three is a good number of cats, imo.

[mopinko]

6. i say do what you have to do.

ok, it is true that i am getting a divorce and you wish to stay married, but hey...

i couldnt have just one dog. i am having enough trouble just having one parrot.
if i were a cat person, i would be the crazy cat lady.
besides, what do 2 cats require that one cat doesnt? i mean, vet bills, and food, but in terms of being able to go away, or having to come home to feed the cat, what is the big deal?

good luck. follow your heart.

[fizzgig]

13. he's not going to pitch a big fit over it

but it's to the point that he's going to have to deal because i can't deal any longer and i know he'll love it once we bring it home.

it's not the number of cats that is bothering him, it's that he's not to that stage of grief yet. he and fat cat had a very special bond and i think he's having an even harder time of it than i am.

i would totally be a crazy cat lady if i could. in fact, that's my retirement plan.

[Phentex]

15. it's different for everyone...

I needed some time between dogs last time around. Now, I am more ready than ever. But we have to get through some family things first and then I'll be in an even better position.

I know I am the one who handles everything for our pets so I am the bigger decision maker. But I do understand other people's need to grieve.

It sounds like your husband will be supportive in time.

[ginnyinWI]

16. and it is easier to leave two home alone than one.

Whether you work during the day or are going away over night, two don't get as lonely.

[Curmudgeoness]

7. Glad you are getting there

and glad that you are thinking of an adult cat. I have only adopted adult cats and have never regretted it.

I do hope that your hubby will let you do this on the free Saturday. Is it possible for him to look tomorrow to give you input?

[fizzgig]

14. he won't be off work before the shelter closes tomorrow

i have picked out every place we've lived in on my own , so i'm thinking he's going to be ok with me picking out the cat solo. i'm fine with either scenario.

[LiberalElite]

9. I've had cats for over 35 years and have adopted mostly adults -

Several were older than 10. Two were 18 y.o. at time of adoption.

One of them was 12 y.o. and the woman giving her up for adoption was planning to marry a police officer who was allergic. He had put up a flyer in the precinct and various P.O's expressed interest in the cat but when they found out Tyler's age they all backed off. They all wanted playthings for the kids.

One vet offered me his opinion when I brought in Mr. Lucky, another 12-yr-old - he thought it was better to adopt kittens as the older cats had had their lives already. I told him you adopt the kittens and I'll adopt the older ones.

I prefer to adopt adults as their personalities have developed, and if they're coming from another home or a shelter, the caretakers can usually tell you what they're like.

Generally kittens are a work in progress - although I did adopt a feral one who was born in the parking lot outside my apt. building. Chloe never gave me a minute's worth of problems - but she never became a lap cat. She was more of a "happy-to-be-in-the-same-room-with-you" cat LOL. Chloe only lived to be around 7, so longevity isn't a given even with a youngster.

I did adopt my first adult cat from the local Humane Society and he chose me - he put his head on top of my hand when I stuck it under the cage door. I had him around 17 years. R.I.P. Norman.

Good Luck this weekend - and post photos!