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Post by Cupcake on Feb 19, 2017 2:27:08 GMT
We lost our 17-year old cat in December of 2015, leaving our then 5-year old cat lonely. It took us a while to be ready, but we started the process in late spring and brought home 2 kittens (brother and sister!) last July 4th. We were only planning on adopting one, but when we went to meet him, his teeny adorable sister ran right up to my husband. I knew immediately that was it, no way my husband would leave her behind!
I am so sorry for your loss. You will know when it's time to open your home and heart again. <3
Lisa B.
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Post by AngieandSnoopy on Feb 19, 2017 2:34:16 GMT
If possible, I always make sure that I already have another before one passes. Amanda became the only last Memorial Day when her last brother died at 14 and 4 months. She was the only until September 28 when I got a puppy, Mandy, a black and tan Dachshund. Someone gave me 6 year old Felicity, a black and tan silver dapple Dachshund that they rescued in December 2. Amanda is 15 years, one month and is fading fast. I'm heartbroken but grateful that I have Mandy and that she will still have a companion when Amanda leaves us.
I'm sorry you lost your cat, our pets become so much a part of our families.
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Post by maryland on Feb 19, 2017 3:04:27 GMT
It was 8 yrs. for us. But part of it was our two older girls were in 1st and 3rd grade, and starting to get busy with activities, and we spend a month at the beach in the summer. But we adopted a German Shepherd 3 yrs. ago! My good friend lost her dog right after Christmas and they adopted a sweet puppy a couple weeks ago.
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 19, 2017 3:11:34 GMT
We have sheltie who is on lots of medications and definitely slowing down. The younger dog is six. We will get a new puppy shortly after the older dog goes. I think dogs generally like having another canine soul around even if they aren't the best of friends. Puppies do help fill the void for humans too.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955 
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Feb 19, 2017 4:33:36 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 was my first thought as well. Even if the older cat does take to a new kitten, she will still want some downtime at her age, and kittens don't really understand that concept. Or perhaps adopt an adult cat who won't feel the need to wrestle the older one? I find it helps me to NOT think of getting a "replacement" cat. I think of it like this instead: was I happy having my cat who died? Of course. So why wouldn't I want to feel that again? It won't be like having the lost one back again, but it will still bring happiness, to my life and the new cat(s) as well. Says the mommy to 5 cats. We started with 3 cats, when we were down to one, we adopted 3 kittens, then after the last original cat died, adopted 2 more kittens. The first set was adopted a couple of months after the most recent death. The second set was adopted more like 8 months later, but we had been looking for probably 6 months before we found ones who suited us. And all 5 were adopted from the same shelter. |
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 3,165
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Feb 19, 2017 4:41:44 GMT
Our first: we didn't adopt another since we still had a dog.
Our second: when we lost that girl, I lasted a little under a month before we got another.
Our third: sadly, that sweet girl died tragically. I intended to go longer, but it was about another month this time as well.
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,652
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Feb 19, 2017 4:44:04 GMT
I'm sorry about your cat.  Like everybody has said, it really varies and whatever feels right for you. I do echo the sentiments of the posters above who mention either two kittens or an older cat (even just 1-2 years) that might work better with your older cat. If you are adopting from a shelter they would be able to help you find a good fit (could be a kitten that is a little more chill or a cat that gets along well with other cats). Whenever it works out for you and you adopt again, you have to come back and post pictures! |
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,148
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Feb 19, 2017 5:04:50 GMT
So sorry for your loss! You are right everyone is different. In one case I got my next dog a few months before my beloved "first fur baby" passed away. I felt a little guilty at first, but my Emily Cattle dog was in need of a new home and I had always wanted a Cattle dog. So she came home with me. I was thankful I had her when my Sydnee passed away, as I still had a warm furry body to love on! Since I've married my husband we have always had at least one dog and usually a cat too. Now I bred GSDs and own 4! Plus the pound kitty who was supposed to be the farm mouser . . . but she doesn't like to chase mice even when trapped in a large garbage can with one! 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.... Oh really? Just keep saying that, you might actually believe it!  |
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Post by gmcwife1 on Feb 19, 2017 5:22:41 GMT
Our first Samoyed, Kenai passed away in May 2013. We had our other Samoyed and our German Shepherd Dog when our Kenai passed. But I knew I wanted another Samoyed for me to use for 4-H demos.
I emailed a breeder in June or July 2013 and told her I was interested in a puppy but not until spring 2014. My boy was born August 2014 and I brought him home that October.
Kenai was our first dog so his passing hit the family hard, so I knew we wouldn't be ready for a new puppy right away. But I have no judgement on how soon or long someone else gets another pet. It really is different for each person.
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Post by Lexica on Feb 19, 2017 5:34:07 GMT
I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like your kitty lived a nice long life filled with love.
It took me about 3 months when the last of my 3 cats died. I found that every time I came home from work, I was automatically scanning all of her favorite places looking for her. I finally decided the house was just much too quiet. I intended to adopt a cat around 2 or 3 years old. Old enough to be out of the cute kitty stage that everyone wants to adopt, but young enough to give me plenty of years to love on it.
I am still not quite sure how this all went down, but I went to the pet store with a specific kitty in mind and came back with a litter of 3 kittens. I do adore them though. I even added a 4th stray from my neighborhood.
When the last of my dogs died, it took me about 10 years to get another one. I was working so many hours and I didn't want to adopt a dog just to stick it in the backyard. After I was injured in a fall and couldn't work any longer, I went into a bit of a depression. I am single and my work was my biggest social connection. Then I realized I could get a dog again! I haven't missed being at the office all day since I got him.
Good luck finding a kitty to join your family.
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gorgeouskid
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,517
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Post by gorgeouskid on Feb 19, 2017 6:50:30 GMT
Kyley and Robin crossed the Rainbow Bridge some months apart, and about 4 months after Robin went, we adopted Charlie and Marley.
We still had Slinky, and it was nice. Then we fostered Skippy and Twinkie, and failed. (Then we had five...)
Slinky has gone over, and we're again a family of four cats. I can't imagine ever being without our furry friends.
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Post by darkangel090260 on Feb 19, 2017 7:25:32 GMT
whenever the right ones finds it's way home. Most of my pet have somehow landed on our door step and need a home. So i just wait for the right one to show up.
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Post by gryroagain on Feb 19, 2017 12:24:28 GMT
When our Lab died, we were super unsettled-DH was retiring from the Army and looking for jobs and it was too up in the air for a dog. So 6 months passed, we moved to Korea, we adopted Olaf. He was a senior, and we had to put him down In July. The week I made the appointment, my daughters were finding "the next dog". They were really hurt by having Olaf only 8 months and wanted another dog immediately. We adopted Lola a week later, and frankly, it was too soon for me. She isn't very big- I like big. She doesn't cuddle- Olaf cuddled. It took a good 3-4 months for me to really bond with her, because it was too soon for me. But ,y kids, they went through so much losing Cleo, moving, losing Olaf, she has been a gift for them.
The kids were right- the best way to honor a life passed is to save another. I'm head over heels for my clever Lola!
I agree with 2 kittens is better than one, also!
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Post by cmhs on Feb 19, 2017 13:47:54 GMT
Thank you all for weighing in and for your kind words. I still can't believe she's gone and my heart sinks a little every time I come home and she's not here to say hello.
I never would have considered adopting 2 at once in this situation but it's something I will have to think about. I'm pretty sure DH would never go for it but we'll see. DS is 13 and was born after we already had both cats so he will get to have a lot of say in choosing the next one. DD will be away at college in the fall and older DD is out on her own 1800 miles away so this will be his cat more than theirs. I think the right cat(s) will find us when the time is right.
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Post by KikiPea on Feb 19, 2017 14:18:14 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss.
We had a pup, our first as a married couple, that we had from the time he was around 9 months, till he was 14. He was an only most of his life. We were not planning on getting another, until he passed, but we ended up with one just 4 months before.
Since he was our first, and only, it would have been WAY too quiet in the house. Had we not found our second when we did, we probably would have gone to look at rescues right away. I couldn't handle being along at home with no puppy to love on.
Big hugs and prayers for you to make the right decision for you.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:58:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 14:51:40 GMT
Both of our doggies have passed in the fall/winter and we have been ready around Valentine's Day (got the last two ON Vday) and this year started looking to adopt on VDay and found out last night that we have a potential adoptee assuming our application is approved.
I don't want to jinx it by posting pic...but she is beautiful 1 year old mix |
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~Susan~
Pearl Clutcher
You need to check your boobs, mine tried to kill me!!!
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Jul 6, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
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Post by ~Susan~ on Feb 19, 2017 18:02:40 GMT
The first couple of times, it was months and years. The last time it was about 3 weeks. My home and heart truly did not feel the same without a dog in my house.
I met with a lady that does rescues and she brought a whole herd of dogs to my house. I let one of them pick me. He has been a real balm on my heart.
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Post by lancermom on Feb 19, 2017 18:37:01 GMT
So sorry for your loss. It is hard losing a pet.
Our lab passed away June 25. We vowed we would never have another dog. But, Christmas Day after dinner and all was quiet, I went online and saw a puppy that was fugly! Next day I put a request in to meet and greet. An appointment was made. But, it was not the dog I requested, but his brother. As soon as we saw him, we fell in love. He is three now and my little buddy.(on my lap now).
It is hard losing a pet, but such a joy giving love to another.
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Post by Lindarina on Feb 19, 2017 18:46:23 GMT
When I lost my cat Mia last summer it was the hardest pet goodbye I've ever had. I cried so hard. I definitively didn't think I would get a new pet any time soon. But my other cat, less than a year old, was morning her friend so hard that we ended up taking in a rescue kitten after just a week.
It turned out to be the best thing for everyone. Our family had no difficulty falling in love with this new family member while still mourning the loss of Mia. And our other cat started living again.
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Post by snappinsami on Feb 19, 2017 19:48:50 GMT
I'm so sorry for the loss of your cat. When our first Lab died, we actually took in another one the next day, but he was not an indoor dog and it didn't work out. We got our next one a few days later. A few months after she was diagnosed with anal sac cancer, we decided to look for a puppy so there'd be some overlap before she died. We found a puppy and were due to get him on November 8th. We wound up having to put Molly down 4 days before that. So our time without a pet has been minimal. |
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Post by cmhs on Feb 19, 2017 22:36:36 GMT
I met with a lady that does rescues and she brought a whole herd of dogs to my house. I let one of them pick me. He has been a real balm on my heart. Love it! Both times we adopted, we sat in the middle of a large group of kittens and just let her pick us. |
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,213
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Post by mimima on Feb 20, 2017 0:29:48 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.  Oh, I love black cats. We have one too. We got him about 13 months after we lost our Grande Dame |
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Like everybody has said, it really varies and whatever feels right for you.
