DECEMBER 9, 2004

*****I brought this post back, to those of you who are thinking of adopting again...... *****
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March 7, 2004 6:08pm



Well Everyone:

Hi! It's Ernestine's mom, and just wanted everyone to know that Ben & I went to a shelter
yesterday, and brought home not 1, but 2 furbabies.....
It hasn't sunk in yet, and I don't know where to begin.
I do know, however, that our beloved Ernie-Bird did give her blessings and I believe we
were led to this shelter...........
It hasn't even been 24 hours-
Lucy (female tortie calico) took to our house within 5 minutes.....Looked around, "okay, we've
got food, water, crunchies, scoopy cat litter (and, a big box - since I have to share)"....
Looks just fine to me. These two human people look pretty nice too
She hasn't stopped purring since she was put in our car for the 1 hour drive home.
She's 5 - 6 years old.......
From "the same household that she was given up by....is her pal, Yoda".....
He's a 5 year old handsome man, with beautiful soft gray fir.......
He was fearful, a bit on the ride home - but, not a peep did we hear.
Came in the house and ran right behind the couch; Lucy was ON THE COUCH, and he
was behind the couch......
I though, "it's going to take some time with him.."
Surely, I thought that would be the case with the both of them.
A few hours later, he started coming around. We'd slowly kneel down to him, I put the
food & water near him....He ate and drank & looked up at me....
I gave him a treat (a couple of the little Pounce things)...
Very grateful.
He stayed on top of our bed for most of the evening...........
Well, when it was time for us humans (Ben & I) to go to sleep, they had already
found their way taking up 1/2 our Sealy...
Poor little Yoda, must've thrown up a bit from all the nerves, so we put our comfortor
in a bag for the wash today... No problem...

But, Ben & I settled in to our sides - me on the right and he on the left....
Lucy at my feet and Yoda moving up & down the middle of the bed.....
Amazing, weird at the same time...
I never owned a lap cat (Ben used to have his beloved "Mackie" - a "neck cat"..)

But, sleep we all did....(I wear ear plugs to sleep because I need complete silence; well
near complete....the motors of these two little ones didn't stop - all night)
It was fantastic!!!!!
In fact, Yoda took residence most of the night on the top half of my pillow.....
PPPPPUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGG all of the night!!!
I think their "MOTORS" were installed at the "HUMMER" factory..... So cute!!!!

Four weeks ago yesterday, our BELOVED ERNIE was put to sleep.....
Lucy & Yoda are IN NO WAY REPLACEMENTS FOR HER, FOR, NO ONE COULD EVER REPLACE
OUR BELOVED "ERNESTINE J. KITTEN".........................
4/84 - 2/7/2004

I know we were sent to this particular shelter by her.......
Ernie was a tortie, and I saw Lucy, she saw me & immediately starting "neck nuzzling", purring as
loud as could be.....
Ben said, "I think she just adopted you"..... (Loves him as well)...
Ben initially saw a light colored tiger, but he had to go with his pal, who didn't seem friendly
at all.....
Then Ben saw the smaller grey kitty on the same leveled perch as Lucy.....and, fell in love.

The story hasn't ended yet..... (I have to go sit on the couch where Yoda can join me)....but, it has for now....
Yoda needs my undivided attention - while Lucy is sprawled out on Ernie's old perch (with, of
course, new stuff)... Ernie's things are very sacred to me...
Ben is going to make another perch in the kitchen today so Yoda will have one too, to look at
the birdies & squirrels........... CERTAINLY, LUCY CAN'T HAVE BOTH AT ONCE, OR CAN SHE?????????

We do have a little bit of a weight issue - we'll get their vet records in 10 days, but, our dear Lucy
"goose" weighs a good 14ish pounds, while Yoda is a healthy 9ish pounds.... She's not obese, maybe "big boned sounds better...... )
I had to be there this AM to make sure Yoda didn't get pushed around by Lucy goose....b/c, it does
happen, (only with regard to food, so far)..... I want Yoda to eat his fair share of food....

God Bless you All!!!!!!

Love, Denise & Ben
p.s. I'll always be here at this site, b/c as I said to Ben last night, "I will never stop missing our girl,
you know?" He replied, "Me either"...... I'll still be crying & laughing..... but, it doesn't mean that
though our hearts broke & broke hard......that, we don't have the capacity to love again & give 2
kitties that needed love & a home, a place to live FOREVER.....

Talk to everyone soon!!!!!

p.s. I have NEVER HAD more than one furbaby.....I'd love any pointers that anyone can give...... Dishes for all? Poopy box for both???? Any advice will be great!!!! Thank you !!!

I am so happy that you got some new fur babies! While they are no sort of replacement whatsoever, they will be a constant comfort, and a new place to channel the love that you had for your beloved Ernestine.

I can give advice on living with multiple cats for sure!! Boo and I once lived in a house with three other cats!

Now it sounds like your new babies are not exactly kittens.. I would reccommend that they have their own food dishes. Even cats that normally get along sweet as pie will sometimes have fights when it comes time to give them dinner. I would also reccomend a litter box for each cat. It not only helps the male have his own "territory", it also will keep things much easier to clean. One box for two cats will get very nasty, especially if they both decide to go at the same time, even if it is a super big box. They might accidentally go on the side of the litterbox out of fear of not having enough room. It might also help to have two boxes because then they have a second place to go just in case.

Aside from that, I will say that it is a WONDERFUL thing that you got a male and female cat. If you have more then one male cat in a home, they tend to fight a lot. Male cats have a hierachy... much like their larger lion cousins, one always has to be "king of the hill". The fighting never ends. It is comical but troublesome at the same time. I only know this because when Boo and I lived with the other three furries, they were ALL male... it was quite a situation.

My only other recommendation to your situation is to make sure both of your babies are spayed/neautured, and that they have their shots, unless you want diseases running rampant. And as much as it would be a blessing to have a litter of kittens... make sure you are very prepared for something like that. Baby animals, as cute and beautiful as they are, require as much attention from their human parents as they do from their nautral ones!

Also, keep an eye on Yoda. Make sure he is tolerating the food allright, if he isn't then call the shelter or your vet and ask them to reccomend something else. Also, if he ever has a problem going in the litterbox, take him to the vet IMMEDIATELY! Male cats can be prone to getting blockages in their urethas, which will throw their entire system off and can be deadly. That is what happened to my Boo...

*sigh* I hope that all of this can help!! I have given you as much advice as I can remember that might be useful. It has put a smile on my face to be able to do this for you after you posted in my forum with your advice. Thank you once again and enjoy your new loved ones! They will appreciate everything and be happy for years to come.

Oh Yay for you and Ben, Denise! How wonderful that you took both of them, now they will be together forever! I was going to PM you to inquire how it went. I'm very happy that you have some new babies to give your love to, they will surely return it tenfold. Congratulations, Ernie would be proud to see her mom happy again!
(((((( hugs))))))))))

lori

Dearest Muffin
I am so happy for you and wish you every joy and happiness in your two new bundles of joy Lucy and Yoda

Love Sue

Hi Everyone:
Thank you a million times over for everything......for all of your love, comfort, acceptance, understanding, and so very much more.......
Also, for all of your genuine happiness about our new furkids; Lucy and Yoda .... we're thinking, "Yo-Yo Ma"..... I'll have to keep you posted on that...
Ben & I have never had two furbabies at the same time, so, it really is very different, and lots of fun!!!
We just cannot get over HOW LOVING they both are - and, so quickly..... I never thought we'd experience that.. I thought they would need a couple of weeks (at least), to get used to everything....
It is like they have both been here all along.....we have so much love (Ben & I) for eachother, and so much love in our hearts for our "newest additions". Ben said, "let's go to the shelter and get........". We just looked at one another and grinned. We live in an apartment - really, two is just the perfect fit.
BUT, IF WE HAD TONS OF MONEY, our wish would be to house, feed & clothe all of the starving children in the World; starting with our Country first. That would be a dream.... And, find these lovely children all homes. In a perfect world.....If only.....it's a real wish and a very real PRAYER.....

Then, of course, all the beloved furbabies who are alone, frightened, hungry...... We'd love to be able to help in that area as well..... But, we are not rich - but, every dollar helps; that we know...

It was absolutely fine to us that they were not kittens....We saw the older "furbabies" first, so that we didn't grab the 1st two lil' babies we saw.... Every "furbaby" deserves a chance....
And, we are thrilled with our choice(s)!!!! (And, I believe that our new "furkids" are very happy with us + )

Thank you for all of your advice regarding "multiple furbabies"; their needs - And, I'm very happy we adopted a female and male, from what you told me..... I didn't know , so THANK YOU!!!!!
We'll definitely get another litter box; I can see where that would be a problem.... In fact, in our apartment, Ben & I only have one bathroom, and, if we both have to go, well.......you know.....

Lucy and Yoda are all up to date on shots, recently tested for FLV/FIV (? correct), and are negative, they have both been altered - A little pregnancy would've been cute, but, there are so many, many, many furbabies who need homes - Ernestine was spayed - she never had a litter, just because I knew there were so many unwanted "furbabies/kids/seniors".

I have been watching Yoda's eating habits...and, he is doing quite well. I went to Petco last night and brought home about 30 cans of food.....(always nice to have a variation)... I'll make a note as to what ones he likes the best.. He loves his little Pounce treats, too. They both enjoy the Hill's Science Diet for adults (1 - 6), as that's what they were fed at the shelter (the crunchies). I'll keep getting that for now. When we get into the 7+ years of age, I wouldn't think that would hurt our one year younger "furkid"?.....?.....

We'll be keeping an eye on their "bathroom habits" as well; thanks for that reminder. Ernie (even being a female), had crystals, and we had an emergency 2AM vet appointment one morning.... She hadn't been spayed at that time, and that was part of the problem. But, for her, it wasn't serious, and she recovered quickly.

Your advice & true happiness is a joy...... I was going to "PM" everyone to let them know since this is a site for "Death and Dying Support", and I wasn't sure that this post would've been appropriate....
But, I am still very much grieving the loss of our girl, Ernie-Bird....Very much....I miss her...We still sleep with her toys; and they are hers....I'm not sure that I can "share" them yet...
But, I guess, with death, comes life..... On February 7th, 2004, my heart was crushed, broken into a trillion pieces.... I didn't think I could go on because I loved our girl SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!! No matter what happens in our lives, Ben & I will always, always, always miss our special Bird...(i.e., Ernie-Bird)...
I couldn't have even thought of another "pet"; no way, no how, never, ever again. I would not subject my heart to love and then to lose..... But,

I think that "this is life"....In June, 1984, when I went to a pet store in Boston to look at kitties, I saw "Ernie", a 6 week old beautiful tortie... She was all stretched out sleeping..... I said, "I'd love her"......
For just $10.00, I brought home a little furbaby who made me a MILLIONAIRE.... In all that she taught me....
I was 23 years old and we spent a wonderful life together until 2/7/2004....She met & loved Ben on 3/16/2001.... He became her daddy.....

And, we were all a family..... The BEST!!!!! (Thank you Dear God!!)

To MD Cohn: This site is wonderful and a great tribute to your "Tribble"; a real beauty. Thank you ever so much for the ability to just come on everyday to express my feelings. To comfort everyone (as best I can) - to read all of these stories which are heartbreaking....we all learn.... So many people have comforted me....it's unbelievable....I wish I everyone of these WONDERFUL PEOPLE lived on the same street as I!!!! And, sometimes, to share a happy story..

They're all happy stories (in one way), in that "we all have had the wonderful capacity to have loved our beautiful furbabies who have gone over Rainbow's Bridge...... We shall meet our furchildren again, of that, I am sincerely sure!!! We were all very lucky to have known our beloved furbabies who have since departed - We are all better for having shared our lives with them.

I know I'm writing a lot.......but, I think, in my experience, that people who allow "furchildren" into their lives are "better people - in most all ways...." Don't you guys???? Our furbabies teach us lessons that we need to learn, to make us human beings who CARE......

God Bless you all!!
Love Always, Denise & Ben (oh yes, and Lucy & Yoda.....? "Yo-Yo Ma...

p.s. HI SUE!! I was "hogging" the forum while you were writing your e-mail to us.... Thank you so much, too!!

Best wishes with your 2 new babies!! It really put a smile on my face to think of all the fun you will have in the getting acquainted stages. I know that you both have hope in your heart. Lucy and Yoda are very lucky to have found you. I am sure Ernie had something to do with leading you to them. Someone said (it may have been you), that their pet could sense their emotions, and didn't like it when they were sad/crying. Ernie brought these two to you to help dry your tears, and because she knew first hand what enormous hearts you have to love these kitties with all you have.
Please keep us updated on how things are going.
Congratulations!
Chloe's mom

Hi Denise,
I want you to know that I'm thinking of you today on the one month anniversary of losing your beautiful Ernie. God bless you and your new babies! I am so happy for you and them. They are so lucky to have found you (and vice-versa). I think that it's sooooo wonderful! May you all have many year's of happiness together!
Hugs to you all!
Cheryl

Hi!

I'm so glad to hear of your happiness! Best of luck with those guys! I must admit, I'm a little jealous that they adjusted so quickly!

Give them a wonderful life - I'm sure they will do the same for you!

You said you were worried about posting good news here?!! These postings are as wqonderful - this may be a "death and dying" area, but death is part of life - and the main purpose we come on here is to handle the grief that occurs DUE to the "death and dying" part. For some of us, getting a new pet helps us to handle that grief - and should be addressed.

Getting a new furbaby (or two) is a wonderful thing and is a tribute to the pets you've lost - and a welcome and fitting post.

I wish you all the bundley, bouncey, whiney, meowey, wonderful love you can handle!!!

(ps - with two furbabies I suggest two litter boxes, but they'll use both, two food/water dishes, but they'll use them both, and twice the amount of hugs and playtime, but they'll demand even more)

Thanks Osilover & DJ...... It's great hearing from you guys!!!!

They're adjusting better than I thought they would; but, Lucy (the "tortie") is heavier than poor lil' Yoda (maybe "Yo-Yo Ma), and she'll swat at him, and demand attention..... I feel very bad for the poor little guy.... I've never had two "furteens", so this is all new to me.
I'd say Lucy is about 13 - 14 pounds, and Yo-Yo is maybe 9 pounds.....we get their records in about 7 days...
They were housemates, along with 3 others....some guy had them and moved into a place that was way too small for them, so he dropped them off!!!!! What a nerve!!! But, what a blessing for Ben & I!!!
I appreciate everyone's advice, really... (I'm a new mom to "two teens" - Ben & I need it)!!!!

Right now, Ben is sitting on the couch with Lucy sitting & purring & being petted on his left, and Yo-Yo just jumped up on his lap..... They (the "furkids") just touched noses.....Hmmm....let's make up???? I hope.... I don't want to see little Yoda be terrified.... He's definitely the more "skittish" of the two of them. Lucy just made herself right at home; it took Yo-Yo awhile; but certainly not as long as one would think.

They told us (at the shelter), that they might have some sneezing, coughing, etc....... and, yes they do!!!!!! I hope it is nothing serious, not a respiratory infection or something... Probably it was living with so many other poor, unfortunate kitties. HAS ANYONE HEARD OF THIS??????????
I hope they're okay - I will place a call to our vet tomorrow.

I went out and bought a printer tonight.....Probably in a month everyone will get to see our "Ernestine"...... (ha)... We are both not very computer literate.. I hope it's not that tough!!!!! We'll see

These babies, they really purr like crazy....I've never heard anything like it.... And, earlier, when Lucy was drinking her water, Ben told me to watch her.. She was dipping her paw in the water and then licking her paw; continually, not just once. Well, we have NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT!!!!! How cute is that????

Thanks everyone & I appreciate everyone who writes in..... I still do not know where I'd be without LS.....

God Bless All,
G'night!!!
Love, Denise & Ben

Oscar drinks the SAME way - isn't it hilarious? At least this way he has clean paws...

Watch that cough (sneezing) - Edgar came (9 years ago) with an upper respiratory infection and it affected him his whole life.

I am sure they will get along - Edgar and Jesse used to fight, chase each other, roll around, then I'd find them sleeping side by side in the "cat bed"

Thanks for your post DJ from this morning...

I'm going to call the vet with regard to Lucy's sneezy/cough thing...I hope she doesn't have anything serious..... I'll have to look up URI's in felines on the web.. What treatment did they give to your Edgar???

They do get along really well, but, I feel bad for Yoda because Lucy is bigger (boned); but, they had kissed on their noses and they do lay right next to each other on the window perch. They were housemates, and then sheltermates; so, they'll be just fine!! That makes me happy!!!

The drinking water thing is really cute - but, as well, I did see her lapping the "regular kitty way" too.

Love, Denise

Yes, Oscar drinks normally sometimes too Edgar was given a pill to take once a day ( I can't WAIT to hear about your attempts to give a new cat a PILL!! hehheh

Even 8 years later he had an "asthma" kind of sound to his breathing and he snored at night (a little whistle sound).... sigh.... he was my first furbaby...

Hi Everyone:

I had read through all of the new posts, and I just wanted to bring back an old post of mine, one month after we put our sweet Ernestine to sleep.
I will always & forever love my sweet Ernie-Bird..........Always & forever.... For almost 20 years........she and I spent a LIFETIME TOGETHER!!!!!
My husband Ben became her dad about four years ago..

In NO WAY......Could our two furkitties ever, ever take Ernestine's place....
They never could...........No more than Ernestine could ever take their place.....

They all have their own sweet, loving personalities.....

It was in March...........Right after Ben and I adopted our two new "furcats"..........Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster....
Ms. Lucy is about 7 & 1/2 years old, and Mr. Yoster is about 1 year older.....

We love them sooooooooooooooooooo very, very much!!!!!!

We did ADOPT rather quickly..........though, there are really, no rights and no wrongs......
It's just when you feel ready to do so------then, you will....

Knock wood...........Mr. Yoster is a healthy boy..........
On the other hand, our sweet Ms. Lucy has asthma and diabetes...(she receives insulin injections every AM).

We FINALLY found a wonderful veterinarian whom we absolutely LOVE!!! But, we may have to think of some other
treatment for her asthma than the AERO-KAT INHALOR (with Flovent).....
She'll fight us right off, when we try to give her that..........

I just wanted to bring back this post.............
To perhaps help any of you who are thinking of adopting.......

Ben and I couldn't be happier......

God Bless You All!!

Love, Denise, Ben, Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster

Hi Denise,

It was great reading of how Miss Lucy and Mr. Yoda came into your lives. I'm glad you brought this post back...it's the first time I've read it. They are so lucky to have found you and Ben...I know you've given them a wonderful home and I'm certain your Ernie-Bird is looking down from the Rainbow Bridge with complete approval.

Thanks for sharing the memories and thanks for sending the email "Christmas" to me. I've forwarded it to many people and everyone seems impressed with the many beautiful scenes depicted in it. It was very kind of you to share such a beautiful way of celebrating Christmas.

Warm Regards,
__Jim