The CAT room!

Hiyall, Roger is right. The second cat is introduced because we humans think the first cat would like it. No one I know has ever asked the first cat. And in many cases, the newcomer is not welcome. I think your best bet is to see how the cat you have adjusts to your being at work. Then decide what to do. If the cat adjusts, I'd leave well enough alone.

BTW, My cat has had me all to himself ever since he was a kitten. On the several occasions that I worked a nine-to-five job and was away the whole day, Mikey didn't seem to notice. My feelings weren't hurt. Well, maybe a little.

Hmmm - mine went into a serious decline when his sister was killed.

He cried for the whole month it took me to wait for the chosen kitten to leave her mum - he sat with his face to the wall - or moaned softly on my lap - or did the things they used to do together, and howled at the top of his voice when he remembered she wasn't there to respond to him.

He welcomed the kitten with open paws and she him.

Cats is individuals - some be togetherness pusses, some not.

Siamese seem to be more gregarious though?

Maybe - I don't really know.

My sister-in-law's best cat died yesterday. She and my brother have nine cats... yeah (9)... well, now eight. (They take in strays.) She was crying when I stopped over to see her and, of course, that made me cry, too.

When I went to visit, he always made time to greet me. He was big and gorgeous and seemed so strong and alive. His name was Mo, Big Mo. He was the alpha male and a lovely orange marmalade color. Yesterday, I petted his still-warm body and stroked his long white whiskers one last time. <sigh>


The vet said that his enlarged liver and some other signs showed he had cancer, so she recommended that he be put to sleep. It was an awful shock for my sil who expected that some pills or a shot would fix him up... he didn't seem that ill, though he had quit eating. Very sad.

so sad - but your sister did the best possible thing, making sure that he didn't suffer. It is the hardest decision to make she sounds a great person

She is wonderful, as is my brother (she's my SIL) and she seemed so devastated. The sad thing is, her first cat - Mom-Cat - stood by the box where Mo was laid out. She was also in distress; I think Mo was her guy. Having that many cats is a wonder, but somehow they've made it work. (No kids and a big house.)

Sorry to hear this, Piff. Always sad to lose a beloved animal. And always difficult for us humans to have to decide it's time.

So sad....

Bodies suck, don't they?

So diminished..

Oh, Piffka, that's so terrbly sad. Now I'm blubbering at my keyboard. Aw, it's not fair! <sigh>

My sympathies as well. People who don't have pets often cannot understand the agony we go through when one dies.

Thanks everybody... Vivien, Roberta, Deb and MsOlga... and Hiyall (Howdy do?). I didn't mean to bring such sad news. I just often lurk on this thread... wishing I had a cat again.

I had most of the day today without my two dogs (whom I love... dearly). They were "working" with their dad and having a great time. Meanwhile, I had a day without eight legs to trip me up and two mournful faces making me wonder if I shouldn't be doing something to make the canines happier. I kept thinking how, if my old cat were still alive, he & I would be enjoying the quiet time. It is strange -- When you lose an animal, sometimes you forget that they're really gone and it seems like they're just around the door... or in that dark corner. I've nearly spooked myself, thinking I'm seeing a little kitty-friend, long dead.

I know exactly what you mean, Piffka. For quite some time after the death of one of my beloved cats I sort of "see" shadows of them, out of the corner of my eye. In my case I think it's expecting them to be there, so some movement, some half-see blurred shape becomes them! AND I suspect, their little spirits linger around, for a bit!

Piffka, please call me Olga. I think we know each other well enough to dispense with formalities? :wink:

Ahhhh, <hugs> OK, thanks, Olga.

You describe just what I'm talking about... a little movement or a blurred image... but then nobody is there! I've opened the door more than once to what must have been a reflection in the glass.

You know, Piffka, this morning I almost patted my handbag, thinking that the big, black blur was Flatty!

Now you got me in tears! On a Saturday evening! I don't even want to think about how much I would miss our cats.

And I also got some sad news today. My friend Kerstin got a little kitten some weeks ago and was so happy. Kerstin was adopted by their landlord's cat about two years ago. She was my trusted catsitter until she got pregnant this year. Now she is very pregnant and got her own little kitty to keep the landlord's cat company. Today her husband told me that last night the little kitty died. It must have been hit by the train or bitten by a dog. It was very badly wounded and when they went to vet's at midnight he could not do anything else but put the little kitten to sleep. I feel so sorry for her.

And once again I am glad to Nisse and Mysan are indoor cats. It might not be too natural - but it is a lot safer!

Yes - I'm sitting here sobbing, too - so sad to lose a friend.

But then I laughed out loud:

Olga!

Me too! Flatty the handbag!!! Thanks for the laugh, Olga!

Urs -- I'm sorry about your friend's kitty. It must be 'specially hard on her emotionally because she is pregnant and her hormones are likely raging.

When I've had cats they always had the option to be outdoors (though they preferred to be inside most of the time) but I never have had cats in a city environment. I'm sure if I were, then I'd keep indoor cats.

<nodding>
I agree, Piffka. We live in the city, and it's just too dangerous out there for our two kitties, Rosie & Buster. The vet told me that outdoor cats have an average lifespan of 3-4 years, whereas indoor cats average 12 years. "Natural" or not, that told me all I needed to know.

Okay you guys, I've just read up this thread since I haven't been here in a few days, and I want you to know I can't see the monitor because you have me bawling with these sad stories!

I honestly don't know what I would do if I had to go through the passing of one of our kitties ... they are family and it would have the same effect as another family member, and I just can't imagine the grief.

My two kitties are out on the porch right now ... they love it out there, and I know sooner or later they'll be in, lurking around, touching my leg to let me know they're here and safe.

I've got to get another box of tissues!!