Talk to me about having a new kitten after losing a beloved cat

[OlennasWimple]

My wonderful cat died last year and I didn't think that I would ever get another cat (we still have one old boy, but he's never been "mine" IYSWIM, he's a family cat)

The opportunity to get a kitten has just come up (abandoned and taken in by a rescue), and I can't decide whether I want him or not. I would love a kitten / cat for all the obvious reasons, but I am worried about going through the heart break of him dying again, even if that is 20 years off. Will I really love the new kitten, or hold something back? Maybe i'm not yet ready for another cat?

It’s really tough to start another relationship after losing a much loved pet isn’t it. We’ve lost our 2 cats this year, one was expected as he was very old but the other was a complete shock and really hit us hard.

I decided to take the plunge and get a kitten though and haven’t looked back! We are all so in love with him and he really brightens our day.

Why don’t you go for a visit to the kitten and see how you get on?

OP the way you talk about your much loved cat only tells me that you would make that wee kitten one very lucky little thing indeed.

I still grieve for a much loved dog from my teenage years, she was a one in a million. But all the other pets over the years have helped heal the wound.

I've a feeling you might have a new family member very soon.

Thanks both

I'm going to go and see.... I guess I ought to put the cat carrier in the car, just in case....

It is part of living with cats, or any pets... Or, you know, just part of living. Better to have loved and lost than never having loved at all, as the saying goes.

A new cat won't in any way replaced your previous much loved cat, and know you have a lot of love to give to another rescue cat/kitten. It would be shame not to rescue...

You'll know if it feels right. I hated my home without a cat when our old girl died. We have had 2 rescues for over a year now and its so good to have cats around again. They have such different personalities they would never replace my old girl. Good luck.
bet you come home with a kitten

You'll know when you meet the kitten if he's right.
We had our 15 year old girl PTS last year and adopted a young hooligan in January. He was never a replacement for old girl who was such a lovely chilled out cat.
I didn't think we'd go for such a young cat (he's 1) and boy is he energetic! It is nice having a healthy young cat we don't have to medicate but he is quite full on sometimes.

How did it go OP?

Well, I went to see the kitten and completely fell in love...but the rescue have decided to keep him, because they have also fallen in love with him So yay, he has got a brilliant home, but no kitten for me

However, the fact that I'm feeling a bit low about not having got the kitten is a really good sign, I think, that I'm ready for a new fur ball in my life So I'm going to another rescue that apparently had a litter of kittens left in a cardboard box six weeks ago and they are now old enough to start being placed

Must be sensible and not take them all

That's a shame in a way, but as you say its helped you decide you are ready. The right kitten is out there just waiting for you to bring it home! Good luck, let us know.

As you have an old boy might it be an idea to get two kittens, so they can keep themselves amused and not annoy your boy too much?

might it be an idea to get two kittens

Oh I like that idea!!

Unfortunately DH has just pointed out that we will likely to moving overseas again in the next few years, and the costs of moving three cats will be extortionate as well as difficult logistically (lots of flights will only have two cats on at a time)