On the last Thursday of February I had to put my fourteen year old grey Persian down. She had been sick in January, gotten better, and then gotten sick again in Feb. Turns out she had cancer. Three days later, a friend of ours gave me her two cats Gracie and Casey, who have helped fill the hole left by Kitt but of course, have not replaced her. I feel a little bit guilty getting cats so soon after her death. Was it too unfeeling to accept them so soon? Some people seem to think the sooner you get other pets, the better. Anyway, although I love G and C I still miss Kitt very much. I still keep expecting her to jump on my computer table and plant herself firmly in front of my monitor and I keep expecting to see her come in and watch JUDGE JUDY with me. I guess I'll be missing her for a long, long time.

When to get a new pet is a very personal and individual thing. They are not "replacements" - they are little fur-beings who need families - so try not to feel guilt.

You will miss your kitty for a long time - there is not "unfeeling" thing in what you did - opening your heart to another doesn't have an appropriate timing...

I am sorry for your loss and hope that you soon realize that your new little furries have such different personalities that they'll make their OWN spaces in your heart and on your lap.

P.S. - Jesse passed away from cancer (although I had to have him put to sleep) so I understand how painful and frustrating your situation is - I am sure that your kitty loved you til the moment she fell asleep and is waiting for you to catch up as we speak.

Hi!

I am very sorry to hear about Kitt, but I am very happy to hear that you opened up your loving heart
to Gracie and Casey....
No furbaby will every replace your lovely Kitt.... that doesn't happen, ever.

But, Gracie & Casey will occupy new parts of your heart; and, I am very sure that your beloved Kitt
is looking down at your & saying, "Yep, that's my mom....See how very special she is to adopt those 2
new kitties....... They'll have the best life with her"....
Your girl Kitt is proud of you, she's beaming down at you; I feel that way!

You spent a long time with your Kitt, fourteen years.. That's a gift.. I wish you & Kitt had many more
years together, because sometimes I feel that the time we are given with our furkids is never enough.

But, Kitt's work on this Earth was finished.... It was time for her to go to Rainbow's Bridge.... God has
other plans for your girl.

You've opened your heart & home to G & C..... that's absolutely beautiful!! Two kitties that needed
somewhere to live.... I'm sure they love their new mom!!

I personally NEVER, EVER wanted another furkitty after our Ernestine (Ernie-Bird) had to be put to sleep
on 2/7/2004.... she was 19 yrs. & 10 mos. I AM SO GRATEFUL for the time that we were together.

Exactly one month after her passing, we adopted two kitties that needed a home..
Lucy & Yo Yo......
It's not too early, not early at all...... I know Ernie gave us her blessings, just as I am very sure
that your Kitt gave her blessings for you to adopt Gracie & Casey.

All our furkids want is to give love and to feel love..... It's so easy, and what wonderful gifts
we receive from them...... Truly, I feel very blessed!!!!

God Bless you!!!!
Love, Denise

Hi! I totally agree with DJ and Denise--in every way. Kitt would be proud (in fact, I'm sure she is proud!! You're a great Mom. How caring of you to want to make sure Kitt is okay with these additions to your family, though!

Know that Kitt is experiencing only bliss now, and she loves you and wants you to have as much happiness as you possibly can while you're still here on earth. Part of your happiness comes from giving of yourself, so everyone benefits--Gracie, Casey, you.... and yes, Kitt.

What a loving thing you have done.

Hugs,
Little Girl's Mommy, Kathy

p.s. This topic has helped me, too. My sweet Little Girl passed away on March 24--only 15 days ago. When the time comes that another furbaby "shows up" needing me, maybe I'll be ready too, especially when I look at it as a situation that will benefit everyone involved.

Thank you for answering my post. That does make me feel a little better about adopting G and C so soon after Kitts death. Thy really are helping fill up the hole left by Kit. And I can just see Kitt now looking down on us.

Kitt's Mom:

It seems we always find a way to feel guilty even when we really have nothing to feel guilty about.

Freyja died May 28, 2003 and Saki June 19, 2003. That left us with just Electra, our 15 year old cat. We rescued a dog (Hathor) July 14, 2003. I didn't want another dog. But Tim needed another dog, and when I saw Hathor, something inexplicable happened. She was the one. I can't explain it. I don't often try.

The Electra passed on December 23, 2003. We got two kitties on Dec 30. Talk about quick! Wow. I saw these kitties on a web site of a no-kill shelter. And they were the ones. Again, I can't explain that... What has been kind of hard about these kitties (they are sisters), is that they look (especially one of them-- Daphne)-- almost EXACTLY like Electra. They did NOT look like Electra on their web site photos, but when the shelter worker brought them over Dec 30, and got them out of the carrier, Tim and I both gasped. I feel sometimes guilty about that-- like I was trying to replace Lec. But I wasn't. THeir photos didn't look like Lec! .... And they act nothing like Lec. So.....

And about a month ago, we got Chata the dog. Chata was a neighbor dog and was Hathor's best friend. They had lots and lots of play dates. Then Chata's mom left. And didn't take Chata with her. So now Chata is our dog.

So it seems we have been ac%%ulating pets steadily since our dear ones passed on. Maybe it is selfish in that we COULD NOT STAND the overwhelming emptiness of the house without pets. ... But Hathor was an abused puppy who was then taken to the pound and probably would not have been adopted bc of her breed and bc she would not come out of her cage at the pound (It took us half an hour to get her out). Chata was abandoned, and tho well-loved, her former person was not very responsible, not a very good care giver and Chata would've died on the street (she always roamed free and we live on a busy street). The kitties came from a feral mom who had been taken in by this no kill shelter... And we have room enough in our house and our hearts for all of them. I know that Saki and Electra and Freyja know that they could never be replaced. And I am sure that they are proud that they made such pet lovers out of us, that our hearts were not hardened or closed when they moved on....