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Post by cmhs on Feb 18, 2017 22:55:43 GMT
We lost our 17 year old cat on Valentine's Day  She had stomach cancer. Seriously, it was the most difficult decision I've ever had to make and I don't think I've ever cried so much in my life. She was the first pet loss for all of us except DH who had dogs when he was a kid. As our vet said, it was the kindest choice. We have another cat who is almost 14. While the 2 were never friends (the one who passed was not so nice to the younger cat), we are worried that she is missing her "frienemy". She has been less active than usual this week and just seems sad and needier than usual. I don't want her to be lonely but I also don't want to rush things, either. The kids and I have the week after Easter off and we think that's when we'll introduce a new kitten to the family. That way we'll have several day for the kitten to get acclimated while we are home to supervise and bond. I'm just curious how long others have waited between the death of a pet and the adoption of another. I would imagine some do it right away and others wait quite a while. I know everyone is different. ginger UPDATE: Surprisingly, DH didn't have a problem with the idea of us getting 2 kittens. The kids and I started looking online last night at adoptable cats in our area and we saw 2 ginger tabby brothers who are 5 months old who sounded perfect. We went to see them today at our local no-kill shelter and there seemed to be some health issues and one of them was terrified and cowered in a corner the entire time we were in the room so we knew they weren't a good fit. On to the next room of cats and a little lady named Peaches is trying her best to get through the glass door to us. We went in and met her and played with her for a while. She is 4 years old and ... long story short, she is now exploring my living room. We have an area set up for her away from the main rooms but she and our older cat seem to be taking each other in stride. Some sniffing but no hissing, scratching or cowering. I will post pictures when she is more comfortable. |
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Post by papersilly on Feb 18, 2017 23:09:31 GMT
The first time, 7 months. The next time, a year.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:59:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2017 23:15:22 GMT
In 2 weeks I will be getting a new chick. My total baby chicken was killed just about a year ago. I had some other chicks but they are not like chicken.
We won't ever adopt another dog, bird or cats. I am just tired of inside pets.
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Post by brina on Feb 18, 2017 23:15:56 GMT
it wasn't my intention, but a week. We were contacting breeders to get on their litter lists and one had a cancelled adoption and nobody from their existing list wanted to step in and take a puppy that weekend. And here we are with an 11 week old puppy.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Feb 18, 2017 23:16:31 GMT
You know I put my cat Rudy down on January 31st. Then yesterday I lost my cat Ruby to stomach cancer. It was painful. But I just couldn't stand the thought of not having a cat. That seemed worse to me. So today I adopted a new cat from a cat rescue. So far she is very loving but thus far is avoiding our dog. I was told that she had lived with dogs before so I am hopeful that she just needs time to adjust to our home. Just petting her makes me feel better. I had my last cats for 15 years. I loved them dearly. I thought that the grief would be less if I had a new animal to love.  Here is my new kitty. Here is my beloved kitty I lost yesterday.  |
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Post by Zee on Feb 18, 2017 23:22:51 GMT
I was only able to take it for about 3.5 weeks, though originally I wanted to just leave it alone for a while. I missed having my own kitty (the other two old man cats belong to my kids).
It was hard at first to enjoy my kitten fully because I felt a little guilty, even though I know that's silly.
But now we've had him for two months and I'm so glad to have him. He has a wonderful personality. The only thing I would caution you about is that your older cat is going to be constantly pounced because kittens just can't help themselves, so if your other cat is frail at all, I'd wait on a kitten.
I'm sorry for the loss of your kitty.
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Post by cmhs on Feb 18, 2017 23:25:15 GMT
I was only able to take it for about 3.5 weeks, though originally I wanted to just leave it alone for a while. I missed having my own kitty (the other two old man cats belong to my kids). It was hard at first to enjoy my kitten fully because I felt a little guilty, even though I know that's silly. But now we've had him for two months and I'm so glad to have him. He has a wonderful personality. The only thing I would caution you about is that your older cat is going to be constantly pounced because kittens just can't help themselves, so if your other cat is frail at all, I'd wait on a kitten. I'm sorry for the loss of your kitty. Thank you. Our cat is still in good health and she is usually fairly active for at least part of the day so I think she would welcome a playful companion. |
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Post by cmhs on Feb 18, 2017 23:26:13 GMT
You know I put my cat Rudy down on January 31st. Then yesterday I lost my cat Ruby to stomach cancer. It was painful. But I just couldn't stand the thought of not having a cat. That seemed worse to me. So today I adopted a new cat from a cat rescue. So far she is very loving but thus far is avoiding our dog. I was told that she had lived with dogs before so I am hopeful that she just needs time to adjust to our home. Just petting her makes me feel better. I had my last cats for 15 years. I loved them dearly. I thought that the grief would be less if I had a new animal to love. Here is my new kitty. Here is my beloved kitty I lost yesterday. I'm so sorry for your losses. |
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,963 
Location: North Idaho
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Post by Nink on Feb 18, 2017 23:28:42 GMT
I was at the shelter adopting another dog five days after we had to put our dog down.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Feb 18, 2017 23:29:44 GMT
Thank you and I'm sorry for your loss too.
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,948
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Post by scrapngranny on Feb 18, 2017 23:30:45 GMT
My border collie died in August at the age of 14. We got a puppy on Monday. I thought I would wait longer, but I was so lonely without an animal. DH and I are both retired and home all day. We talk throughout the day, but run out of things to talk. The dog was always something that kept our life from being the same every day.
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Post by AussieMeg on Feb 18, 2017 23:31:16 GMT
We lost our dog in May last year, and we got a new puppy 2 months later in July. I was NOT keen to get another dog, especially so quickly after losing Beau (he was the first pet loss for me and the kids as well). But the rest of the family out-voted me. Our new boy is truly a delight and I can't imagine life without him now. But in the early days when everyone was gushing over the cute new puppy, I felt as though I hadn't had enough time to mourn Beau, and that the others had pretty much forgotten all about him.
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Post by Zee on Feb 18, 2017 23:33:09 GMT
jeremysgirl both are beautiful cats, I'm sorry for your loss but I'm glad you found a new companion.
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Heathen
Full Member
Posts: 427
Feb 12, 2017 6:05:44 GMT
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Post by Heathen on Feb 18, 2017 23:45:23 GMT
I volunteer with a cat rescue. If you're able, I'd recommend you adopt two kittens instead of one. The kittens will have each other for companionship and play, whereas one kitten would likely pester your older cat. Your older kitty would still get the benefit of companionship, but could relax when she needed to rather than being the focus of kitten energy.
This is the time of year when my rescue's socialized kittens are spoken for even before they become available for adoption. If your area is similar, it may take some time to find a kitten or kittens.
It took me about two and a half years to adopt again after I lost a cat. I've now had the "replacement" cat, the best tiger ever, for fifteen years.
You have my sympathy for the loss of your kitty. I lost my longterm, adult foster to adenocarcinoma on November 29. {{Hugs}} to you.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:59:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2017 23:46:08 GMT
I waited 4 months to adopt another kitten. I missed my old cat so much and shed many tears for her. New kitten is no replacement. As much as I love her, I do still miss my old cat and while the tears aren't as often, I do think of her often and still cry because I miss her. Attachments:
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,117
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Post by edie3 on Feb 18, 2017 23:47:28 GMT
 We waited a month. I did not want to get another dog so soon, but if we had not got our Peanut, she would have been killed the next day. She is the light of all of our lives. It was just meant to be. And she is NOT spoiled rotten.... |
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Post by cmhs on Feb 19, 2017 0:02:03 GMT
I volunteer with a cat rescue. If you're able, I'd recommend you adopt two kittens instead of one. The kittens will have each other for companionship and play, whereas one kitten would likely pester your older cat. Your older kitty would still get the benefit of companionship, but could relax when she needed to rather than being the focus of kitten energy. You have my sympathy for the loss of your kitty. I lost my longterm, adult foster to adenocarcinoma on November 29. {{Hugs}} to you. Interesting point. I don't know if we could adopt two but it's something I will keep in mind when the time comes. Thank you and I am sorry for your loss as well. |
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,049
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Post by blue tulip on Feb 19, 2017 0:05:46 GMT
Within a month. We started looking pretty soon after, but we didn't find the right dog for a while. For me, I think the greatest compliment you can give the memory of your dog, is to give that love to another. Even more so if it's a rescue.
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Post by shaniam on Feb 19, 2017 0:17:02 GMT
I honestly don't remember how long it was. It was never as a replacement but just a feeling of it feels like the right time for a new pet.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:59:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 0:17:48 GMT
14 years. I wish it would have been sooner, but we were not ready. Life got very busy and we were dealing with 2 asd, medical kids.
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Post by mollycoddle on Feb 19, 2017 0:23:22 GMT
Trust your gut. The amount of time is different for everyone.
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Post by mollycoddle on Feb 19, 2017 0:26:48 GMT
You know I put my cat Rudy down on January 31st. Then yesterday I lost my cat Ruby to stomach cancer. It was painful. But I just couldn't stand the thought of not having a cat. That seemed worse to me. So today I adopted a new cat from a cat rescue. So far she is very loving but thus far is avoiding our dog. I was told that she had lived with dogs before so I am hopeful that she just needs time to adjust to our home. Just petting her makes me feel better. I had my last cats for 15 years. I loved them dearly. I thought that the grief would be less if I had a new animal to love. Here is my new kitty. Here is my beloved kitty I lost yesterday. I'm so sorry for your losses. Your new kitty is a cutie!  I'm so sorry about your Ruby. |
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Post by freecharlie on Feb 19, 2017 0:35:04 GMT
After my Charlie died, it was just over a year before we got our next cat, I just couldn't do it.
When Boston died a couple of years ago, it took less than a week. I just hated not having a cat in my house.
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,147
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Post by used2scrap on Feb 19, 2017 0:35:28 GMT
Sometimes short, sometimes long, 6 years. There is no right answer, only what feels right to you and your family and your situation. For me when there was doubt, I waited, because I didn't want to bring a pet in I wasn't ready to fully embrace, as that wouldn't be fair to the animals.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 19, 2017 0:38:14 GMT
I had my first dog for 12 years. When he died, I think I got the second one three days later. When that little guy was nearing the end, I really didn't want to get another dog for a while but my BFF ended up fostering a little toy poodle that was needing a new home immediately so we took her home on Dec. 23. My little guy crossed the rainbow bridge on Dec. 28th, five days later. We're so lucky to have her, she's a little honey.
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Post by swtpeasmom on Feb 19, 2017 0:38:50 GMT
We lost our 18 yo kitty in September, and just adopted 2 shelter kitties at the beginning of January. My 18 yo kitty was my first baby, so I just couldn't do it any sooner, but everyone is different!
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Post by giatocj on Feb 19, 2017 1:59:14 GMT
There was a gap of six years between when we lost our Golden and when we got Tucker. We will not get another pet now that our boy is gone, which we had agreed to before we even brought him home.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Feb 19, 2017 2:02:33 GMT
My friend lost her kitty and a couple of weeks later she adopted 2 boy kittens. She went into a real funk about losing Maya so quickly. She got very sick and passed. My friend was just beside herself and the boys now have made her so happy.
We lost the old man poodle in April last year. I think we will wait at least another year before trying again. I did all the dog care so I am not sure I want to put myself through that again for a while.
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Feb 19, 2017 2:14:41 GMT
We waited a little over a year after our dog passed to get another dog. Our old dog got to be a lot of work and care at the end and we needed the time to be mentally ready to care for another animal. We still had our cat, so we weren't completely pet free.
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Post by pjaye on Feb 19, 2017 2:17:33 GMT
I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear cat.
Every time has been different for me and I always just say..."when it feels right"
After I lost my first cat I was devastated and thought it would take me some time to get another one, but I took in a feral cat I'd been feeding at work just one week later.
When he passed away it was about 3 months until I saw the next one online and couldn't get her out of my head and kept going back to her photo.
Then when she passed away after only 4 years due to cancer I decided my existing cat would be an 'only child' and that I probably wouldn't have two cats again. However 2 years later I was in a Facebook rescue group and Emme came up for adoption and for some reason I just knew she was meant to be with us...and I was right, she's a perfect fit.
So I just think when the time is right, you'll know it.
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