Roberta, hi. I get that. I've had pets since I could breathe and shortly go nuts without one. To be with a creature, I've even gone so far as to 'adopt' cows in a nearby pasture. Less extreme is fostering and having a frog and fish in my old apartment.
I won't push anything but I can say that my experience of fostering was wonderful. Yes, very hard to let go. But at the same time, how cool is it to see your little baby (it becomes your baby lol) united with a family. It was a good lesson for this girl.
You'll come to your own good decision when you are good and ready, we all know it. It's not easy losing a pet and we all grieve differently.
Plus, you have some special considerations for taking in a new baby that are real.
They are real but if you do decide at some point to have a pet, you'll find a way.
I do get the worry over vet bills, and generally the whole monetary and long term care factor. I recently lost my Chubbs and went through an internal battle about it.
There came a time when I decided it was best to euthanize. The decision wasn't based on money when the time came - because looking at her I realized I would do what I had to do to provide her with whatever was the best.
In her situation, I do feel I made the right decision. But it was hard. I have carried guilt about it and been working it through.
And I know I would carry guilt if I had chosen differently too - when it comes to them (I have one other cat, Essa) priorities fall in line real fast. About what is truly important.
It just isn't easy when a pet gets sick. Period.
Whatever you choose, Roberta, you have such a beautiful giving heart that is such a gift to any critter that is lucky enough to be around you!
It almost seems a waste that you are petless. But I guess that means more for us peoples for right now and that is cool too.