God! Please give me some guidance on a personal pet issue.

[KayLaw]

My cat died yesterday after a bad illness (cancer). We promised my son we could look for a new cat after our vacation, a couple of weeks from now. Today is his birthday and I had a rough time finding the Alvin and the Chipmuncks DVD he wants so I had to drive to a Target.

Next to a Target is a PetsMart and I went in to see if there were any picture frames so I could set up a memorial for Bunny. To make a very, very long story short I ended up going back with my older son to look at the adoptable cats. They all come from the pound and need homes. We were looking at kittens and talking with a young woman who works there I ended up holding a one-year-old cat who was sleeping.

The woman said the cat was healthy but had been there a month and seemed to have given up trying to get attention - most people play with and adopt the kittens and the older cats just sit. I petted the cat and she just came to life purring and drooling. I told the woman we have a week before vacation and then a week of vacation but she said they can't hold cats and there's no guarantee the cat would be there in two weeks.

What if they send her back to the pound? What if the sell her to a lab I would not expect this cat to compare with Bunny or take Bunny's place, but I believe her emotional need matches mine and she would have a good home which she needs. The woman pointed out that if I took her now she can adapt to our home and our other cat (Lucy) before we leave for vacation. That would also be good for Lucy who would otherwise be alone.

I want that cat. The only thing that's stopping me is the fear that's it's disrespectful to Bunny's memory. Please help.

[MrCoffee]

1. You want the cat? Get the cat.

Lucy wants a friend.

[LisaM]

2. If you connected wtih the cat, go back and get it NOW

I want you to have that cat!!!! She sounds like a sweetie.

We adopted two dogs from the pound who were 3, and I've never regretted either one. They're fantastic and so grateful for the home.

[blue cat]

3. Get cat now!

Be happy, it's for the best for everyone.

[Chan790]

4. Life is what happens...

when you're busy making other plans.

Get the kitty. Post pics.

[LynneSin]

5. As a former PetSmart volunteer for the cat adoption center

Most of the pets come from no-kill shelters, at least the ones that work the Delaware PetSmarts. Perhaps if you call the adoption agency and explain your situation they may be able to help you with holding the cat or finding foster care until you return.

Second, have you thought that perhaps Bunny guided you to that cat? I mean you had to go to Target to find a DVD for your child that seems to be sold out everywhere. Perhaps Bunny has your best interests in mind.

[truedelphi]

10. When our sweetie Sophie died, and right after I said

"No more cats EVER!" some one of my close friends said,
"The cats have a psychic network set up. Kitties on the astral plane set up connections for kitties needing homes and you'll probably find yourself adopting a cat within weeks if not months." (I did!)

I sure hope the kitty at PetsMart goes home and becomes friends to Bunny's surviving buddy.

It is all being worked out on some other level.

[Blue-Jay]

6. It's never "disrespectful" to get a new pet.

First, I'm sorry about your loss. That's difficult for anyone.

BUT... That cat needs a home, and you can offer a good one to her. It doesn't diminish your family's love for your deceased cat to bring a new one into your house. Don't look at it like she's a "replacement". You will be helping her, and she will be helping you.

Get the cat.

[ceile]

7. It's not disrespectful to Bunny at all.

That kitty needs a home. Will you be thinking about the kitty while on your vacation? Will you always wonder "what if"? You sound as if you already want her. Go for it!
I put my kitty down on May 30th and I was not looking for another cat, but a neighborhood stray made herself at home in my house. I just got her fixed and her shots, and I know it was meant to be. She's a sweetheart and has already become a member of the family. Sometimes we don't get to choose-they choose us! :hug:

[Midlodemocrat]

8. Get the cat.

[bobmorr1]

9. Go back and get the cat!

Go by your gut instinct. Get the cat. You can never replace Bunny. You can always help out another by giving it a home. Lucy needs a friend. You can never have to many pets.

[zanne]

11. Don't worry about being disrespectful to your other cat's memory...

I'm sure your late cat would want you to take in an unwanted kitty.

Please keep us posted.

[Shell Beau]

12. Go back and get that poor little cat. Everything will work

out the way it is supposed to. Please don't let that cat go back to the pound if you want it.

[KayLaw]

13. All right!

Thank you, thank you all so much. Honestly, I did think there was something mystical about the whole thing but I'm in mourning and needed to hear what you all are saying. I just e-mailed my husband but think he'll go along with what I want and my one son is all for it. I need to pick up my birthday boy from summer school (he gets to go because he has autism) and I'll talk to him about it!

[applegrove]

14. Save that cat. Bunny would want you to.

[RedShoes]

15. As a proud Human to eight animals, GET THE CAT. now.

what better way to honor Bunny's memory than to save another who otherwise you wouldn't save?

Don't name her Bunny though. ;)

[KG]

16. after my little buddy Rocky ran off, i told myself 'no more dogs', but of course,

2 months later a friend called with the news of a min-pin that needed a home. i called my mom to say was going to look at a another min-pin and see if i'd like him.

she said 'just bring him home'. so i did. i'm very glad i did.

about the kitty - 'just bring him home'.

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. Get her...get her and bring her home. We just did that too...

Yes, right before vacation. He is a great addition, and is learning to stop leaping on his elderly brother's tail. If you don't get her, you will regret it for a long time if she's not there when you get back.

The funny thing is, I thought we were disrespecting Merlin by bringing a new kitty into the house. Bunny would want you to be happy. Just as I have to keep telling myself that my husband would want me to be happy.

[Midlodemocrat]

21. He would.

:hug:

[yellowdogintexas]

34. yes he would. nt

[bertha katzenengel]

18. Sometimes the best way to deal with the loss is to

shower the new cat with all the love you have in your heart for the one that's gone.

Good luck with your decision. :hug:

[TrogL]

19. Get the damn cat

You will still have your memories of Bunny.

Drag out an old picture and stick it up on the wall.

[HEyHEY]

20. "Disrespectful to bunny's memory"

Who's going to be offended? A dead cat?

[Orsino]

22. I don't see any disrespect in an adoption.

You made room once before, and if there's room now, go for it with my best wishes.

[Bunny]

23. I will join the chorus. Go get that cat!

Before our dear golden retriever died last summer, I had promised Baby Bunny that she could pick out our next dog. I cautioned her, however, that it would be "quite a while" until I'd be ready for a new puppy.

Turned out that "quite a while" actually = "four days". We were so sad and missing our Lily, but the chance to get Peanut came up and we took it. I haven't regretted it for a minute, and although Peanut is dumber than a bag of rocks :eyes:, she did ease our mourning for Lily.

Go get that cat.

[mikeytherat]

24. Perhaps it was Bunny who led you to the new cat.

Bunny knew time was short, and that many, many pets need homes. I think you have have been guided to the newbie.

mikey_the_rat

[hamsterjill]

25. Zoom to Petsmart and Get This Cat!!!

There could be no greater memorial to your Bunny than your actions to save another of her fellow beings.

Something has drawn you to this particular kitty.

Go get the kitty and love it in memory of Bunny. And may the kitty have many happy years with your family!

[bif]

26. Life is too short to pass up a cool cat.

Don't miss the opportunity.

[NewEnglandGirl]

27. Take the cat !!

You're not doing anything wrong. It's a tribute to your other cat's memory that you want to repeat the experience. It sounds like a perfect match. I'm so sorry for your loss and best of luck with your possible new addition. :hi: :hug:

[Sanity Claws]

28. Get the cat

I really can't add anything to the advice you already got. I just wanted to add my voice so that you can see that yet another person thinks you should get that kitty you seem to have bonded with.

[KayLaw]

29. I got the cat!!!

My son wanted to name any new cat we got either Zeke or Ricky. Since this kitty's a girl, we're calling her Ricki. It honestly didn't occur to us until later that we now have Lucy and Ricki. Ricki seems thrilled by all the attention she getting and is eating and playing with a toy. My son is having a fabulous birthday because Ricki is really taking to him. Here is her first picture:

[Midlodemocrat]

30. Wonderful news! Congratulations!

[mikeytherat]

31. Way to go - life shuts one door and opens another...

I'm sure Bunny is quite pleased.

mikey_the_rat

[yellowdogintexas]

35. and you played by the rules and gave us a PICTURE> you got a cutie there!

Ricki how cute is that!!!

I have Lewis and Clark, myself.

[ceile]

36. Yeah!!

She's precious!

[MountainLaurel]

37. Beeyootiful!

Little pink nose!

[MrCoffee]

38. Well done!

[Sequoia]

40. Oh...that looks like my long gone cat Tiki.

Good for you !!!! (I chimed in way late on this post)

[Blue Diadem]

41. OH YOU GOT HER!

:bounce:

Got tears in my eyes right now. You did a wonderful thing!

[musette_sf]

44. BEAUTIFUL kittty!

with that face and coloring i can assure you that Ricki will be a GREAT companion.

thank you for going back and getting her.

[AwakeAtLast]

45. That's great!

I didn't read this post in time to type out, "Go back and get the cat!" I think animals choose their owners sometimes, so I'm glad you got her!

We went to PetSmart to get one cat. We found a great black cat, about 6 months old. There was a tiger stripe in the cage next to her asleep. After we got the cat home I couldn't help thinking that the other cat would be lonely and miss her (I think) sister. We went back the next day and brought her home, too. She seems to be my cat because she sits on my lap all the time.

Have fun with your new cat!

[Shell Beau]

48. YAY!!!! Sweet little kittie now has a good home!

:bounce:

[driver8]

49. Yay!! I am so happy for you!

I am glad that you went back and got her. Thank you for giving this sweet girl a safe and loving home.

[Blue-Jay]

50. Take the cat back RIGHT FUCKING NOW!

Then post here and say you did.

(seriously, though - congrats!) :bounce:

[Betty88]

53. I love her!

You did the right thing. She looks very happy and I bet she makes you happy, too!

[lukasahero]

54. Yay!

Yay for Ricki, your son and for you. What a wonderful thing you have done.

[Runcible Spoon]

55. awww how wonderful!

what a cutie! I love stories like this!

[DainBramaged]

61. You done good.

Thank you for giving her a home.

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

32. Run back and get the kitty, so clearly meant to be yours.

Everything else will sort itself out.

[yellowdogintexas]

33. it is the connection that counts. seriously. When my big A died, I did not think

I would want a new kitty for a long time. A friend came by with a baby kitten she had rescued from a parking lot in the heat and handed her to me and it was hopeless. I had to have that cat. She lived 17 years.

If you have a connection with this cat, she needs you. You need her. Bunny will not be offended at all. Now our petsmart and petco stores locally work only with fostering groups so the kitties rotate out of the stores. A week in the cage, a week with the foster group and back out again, so if the cat isn't adopted that trip, it might the next and no one has to worry about it going to a lab or being euthanized.

I always visit the kitties in the cages at Petco and Petsmart, I feel they deserve some attention even if I do not want one. I have four already.

[KayLaw]

42. Wow, that's nice.

I had no idea PetsMart and Petco did this sort of thing. My son asked to go to PetsMart for a cat and I told him, No way, we don't buy pets from pet stores. It's truly amazing the way I ended up drawn there this morning.

That's wonderful the way they rotate the cats. We have so many homeless cats here in Florida, you wouldn't believe it.

Thank you and thank all of you so much. Btw, Ricki and Lucy are sitting together in peace under my desk.

[yellowdogintexas]

46. don't know what they do where you live, I am in North Texas and after years of

visiting the kitties when I go to by cat food and stuff, I found out about the fostering families. I was very very pleased. I just happened to arrive during a cage switch and the foster parent explained the whole arrangement to me.

[Sequoia]

39. No, it wouldn't be disrespectful. Bunny would've wanted you to do this.

He's up there knowing his commrades are just a day away of being a goner. I suggest you take the cat and let it get used to you and have a house-sitter. If your son likes the cat I'd get him.

[texanwitch]

43. So glad you got the cat.

My youngest cat was a rescue kitty, I found her in a old house.

She was meant to be.

Congrats on Riki.

[LisaM]

47. Yay, you got her!

I'm glad Lucy likes her too.

[Sugar Smack]

51. Do you know what? I think this is the perfect thread.

First off, GOOD on you for getting Ricki! You had an emotional dilemma, you asked for suggestions, you listened, you went out, you saved a cat's life, and then you posted a pic.

I think you'll make each other very happy.

[mikeytherat]

52. Need more Rikki pix.

You got the cat, now share more pix.

That is all.

mikey_the_rat

[LibertyLover]

56. Get the cat

Yeah!! You made the right decision to get the cat. Hope Ricki and your family have many, many long years of life together.

[Flaxbee]

57. Hooray! So glad you got her - adult cats are so often

overlooked, and they have SO MUCH LOVE to offer! Bunny would be happy that you saved a life and gave one of her fellow felines a good home. :woohoo:

[KayLaw]

58. I have an update, a question, and a picture.

Thank you all for showing such an interest in Ricki and all cats. I thought I'd post a photo of Bunny and Lucy and tell you what's going on.

Ricki is mostly shy then suddenly affectionate. She likes to hide under our bed a lot but also seeks us out at times. Last night she surprised us by trying to sleep on my husband's head most of the night. And here's the question: Has anyone ever hear of a cat who nurses herself? My husband and I had her on the couch petting her and talking in soft voices when she began suckling herself!!! She did it again this morning when I was cuddling her. I did a Google search and someone suggested it's similar to the kneading motion cats sometimes make. She's been sitting alone in a cage for at least a month, maybe that's how she comforted herself?:shrug:

Well, here are her new sister Lucy, the brown tabby, and her angel Sister, Bunny:

[mikeytherat]

59. The kneading and suckling are most likely signs of contentedness, security

and love. I've heard that the kneading and suckling are often a "trip back to kittenhood" and happiness.

mikey_the_rat

[I Have A Dream]

60. Nevermind -- I see that you got her!

Yay! Congratulations! :)

[hedgehog]

62. Now I'm going to smile all day!

[Polly Hennessey]

63. Ricki

Yay, Ricki has a home. She is beautiful and all of you will have a wonderful friend for a long time. I bet Bunny is smiling. To me, the greatest respect you can pay to Bunny's memory is to bring another cat into the household and shower it with love. Send a photo of both Lucy and Ricki.

[MISSDem]

64. Get the cat.

I believe that the new animal that comes to you so soon like this is kinda like a reincarnation of your animal who just died. God gives us what we need.

[China_cat]

65. Best memorial you could make to Bunny's memory is

to save the life of another who obviously needs you.