..to want my new pussy

[Santasapunkatheart]

Ha - made you look for all the wrong reasons!

No - it's a cat.

Won't bore you but it's been as 'interesting' year. Actually no - it's been an effing difficult year. On top of some horrible things, such as a rat infestation in our home, we lost our beloved cat of 17 years. A very bad time for it - as my daughter has been diagnosed with depression. The cat was really good for her and she looked forward to cuddling her when she came in.

It has been a while since the cat died. My daughter is in a really bad state at present and we are going back to the doctors on Monday. She really really wants a kitten from a rescue centre. One to name, call her own and to love.

But here is the complicated bit. Recently I told my mother about my lymphoma. I had hidden it from her as she lives a long way away and worries. A lot. Now she seems to think that she will end up looking after me, which she says is fine. I am hoping that will not happen and I can manage my condition. I do not want that scenario at all. But when I mentioned the cat, she went potty. Usually she is lovely and we are close. She has a phobia about cats and cannot come into any house with one in it.

At present my mother does not visit very often. We don't go to see her that much but I talk to her every day. We have other animals (chickens) and to be honest, my daughter and I have a full and busy life where we are. I often get very tired too - so I don't do too much travelling. She feels that she will be unable to visit or look after me, if I should need it.

I have got a bit cross with her and told her this is my household and that I am a grown woman. An animal would really be beneficial to a very unhappy little girl. I think she should get some treatment for her phobia and not expect to dictate that we cannot get a cat.

Please don't say you hate cats - as that will not be unhelpful. But am I being unreasonable if I get the kitten? I am really worried about my little girl. We have never been without a cat and we are very much animal people.

[Bilbobagginstummy]

My reaction is "get the cat"; I'm a cat person though.

[whathasthecatdonenow]

Sorry to hear about the death of your cat and your illness.

Get the cat. What did your mother do when you had the other cat? I'm typing this with one cat on my shoulder and another on my feet. Sometimes they are the reason I get out of bed in a morning.

[MagicHouse]

How did she manage visits with your previous cat?

[Bilbobagginstummy]

Oops posted too soon.

But is the mother looking after scenario likely to happen? You mention a lymphoma but I barely know what one is let alone how they progress. If so, you may need to have a plan for how to manage cat, mother and daughter if they are all in the same house. Could it even be as simple as cat lives in daughter's room only? That will make you all feel better and hopefully it won't be needed.

I hope new pussy helps your daughter.

[timidviper]

You have to live your life how you want to and not on the "what ifs" your mother is bringing up.

[curlyclaz13]

get a cat. it will make your daughter happier and probably make you feel a bit better. I am sure your mum will manage if she needs to. is your daughter old enough to look after the cat if your mum does come ?. I hope you both feel better (as much as you can) soon.

[Busyoldfool]

Sound as if it has been hard for you. A cat is a lovely creature and if it helps your daughter that's worth doing. If your mother comes you can cross that bridge when you come to it. let's hope you won't need to.

[peaceandlovebunny]

get the cat. i hate to think of a woman lacking a pussy.

you and your daughter have to have as much enjoyment as you can, to help you through the hard times.

any sensible person would say i shouldn't have four house rabbits. they'd be right. but the buns are my 'treat to me', something in my life that is just for me, not about anyone else.

get the cat.

[EllenJaneisstillnotmyname]

Will you be having Chemo? How much care will you need? Can you put off having the cat until after treatment. Will dealing with a litter tray with a suppressed immune system be a problem?

[FreshLeticia]

Get the cat. Make sure it is a lovey one if it is a mog. Some are very stand-offish. My best friend is my burmese tom. He loves me so much, especially in the night when I can't sleep. Just the feel of his silky fur makes me calm.

[Santasapunkatheart]

You all talking about cats means me feel feline.

I have had lots of treatment and now have home shots - which seems to manage my illness. It may be a very long term treatment, unless a miraculous new cure is discovered. As for progression - it's in the hands of the gods. I have regular tests and PET scans for organ involvement. None so far.

Immune problem not such an issue - Interferon is a great drug in that respect. I may have cancer but I rarely get a cold!

Oh houserabbits. I love rabbits. Rescued one that had been released from domesticity onto a field. Awful thing for someone to do and I went down to investigate and it jumped onto my lap. Had him for nine years. He adored me and hated my partner. HE WAS RIGHT!

I don't want to hurt my mum but....

[EllenJaneisstillnotmyname]

Bugger it, get the cat...

[peaceandlovebunny]

cat. that might be my last word on the subject.

oh no its not. your mum is just worrying about you. she'll get over you getting a cat.

[Santasapunkatheart]

I don't think I should bugger it, Ellen. I don't have the....um...equipment.

[sashh]

Sod your mum, get two cats.

[peaceandlovebunny]

two cats! santaspunk (oh, look how that looks on the page...gosh, i missed an 'a' out) with two pussies...

[Santasapunkatheart]

That's also a possibility. My daughter wants to give the cat a rock 'n roll name and I want a more literary one. Two cats would also play together. We began with two but one disappeared and was never found, a couple of years ago. I still miss him. It's that way they look at you. A brilliant writer's companion too, a cat.

Two cats. That does sound very attractive.

[Santasapunkatheart]

You are disgusting, peace.

But I like you!

[WeWilsonAMerryChristmas]

You need a pussy!

But I'd always suggest getting an older cat from a shelter rather than a kitten.

You need a saggy old pussy, basically and ((hugs))

[peaceandlovebunny]

frame it! frame it!

[peaceandlovebunny]

and its all in the best possible taste...

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

Get a dog.

[apostropheuse]

Please don't get a cat. Get two!

Your mother must have coped ok with your other cat. Besides, think positive, you may never need that level of help from her - or hopefully if you do, not for a very long time.

We have two cats we got as kittens from Cats Protection - they're sisters from the same litter. They're no trouble at all and as we got them as kittens we socialised them and they're really friendly and loving. They have their little disagreements - but generally get on great and play together too. They are also incredibly good with children.


I won't mention the fact that they're prolific hunters...

[Santasapunkatheart]

Our other cat was very shy...so she hid away when mother came to visit, or ran upstairs.

Two sisters would be great.

I love dogs, Catpuss. But doggy style is not for me.

[Nittynana]

Given the choice between a cat and my mother...... A cat xx