What do you think you'd do?

kittylover4ever

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My elderly neighbor came to me yesterday and wanted to know if he thought he should get a cat or a dog. He is a widower and very very loney. I just worry about his ability to take proper care of an animal......he has no family to speak of and he just wants something for companionship. I couldn't stay to talk to him about it because I was on my way out, but he says he will talk to me about it again tonight.........what do you guys think I should tell him?
 

rosiemac

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I think an adult cat would be great company for him rather than a dog, because at least he won't have to worry about taking it out for walks, unless he's able to do that then a small dog would be ideal?.

Could you not keep a close eye on him if he did get one?
 
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kittylover4ever

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Originally Posted by Rosiemac

I think an adult cat would be great company for him rather than a dog, because at least he won't have to worry about taking it out for walks, unless he's able to do that then a small dog would be ideal?.

Could you not keep a close eye on him if he did get one?
Oh yeah, I've been thinking all night what I'm going to tell him. I agree Sues that an adult cat would be ideal.......a dog I'm afraid might be a bit too much, taking him out for walks, etc. Kitties as we all know are wonderful companions......and yep, we're not more than 50 feet away, so we can check on them, as we do now for just him, all the time. Joe gets around ok and still drives, but his memory is starting to go. He lost his dear wife a few years back and he's been so lonely without her. He always is telling me he just wants to die and be with her. I think a pet would truly help him.
 

lauracatlover

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Originally Posted by Rosiemac

I think an adult cat would be great company for him rather than a dog.
At least cats can look after themselves, apart from the obvious feeding and cleaning out the litter, unlike dogs who need attention 24-7 and need walking 2-3 times per day. IMO I think you should tell him you think it would be best if he got an adult cat.

Unless he got a retired greyhound or something, or an elderly dog who doesn't need walking as much as a younger one.
 

gailc

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I agree on the adult cat-perhaps you could go with him to pick one out and to the pet store for all the initial supplies. I know this is asking alot but also a list of vets (or yours) and what to buy stuff to buy for cat, how to clean litter box etc....
 

buzbyjlc10

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I agree that an "adult" pet would be best and in his situation cat is probably the way to go... there are tons of adult shelter kitties out there (cuz everyone wants a kitten). The routine of feeding may actually help his memory and you can always try to remember to ask him like "Hey Joe, how did *insert kitty name* like his dinner tonight?" kinda like a reminder to him that if he didn't feed the cat that he should go do it - ya know? (maybe if you find he's having trouble remembering, you can help him get some kind of alarm timer that would go off when kitty needs food) I definitely know what you mean when you say he just wants to go be with his wife and a lot of times when people in that mentality find "something else to live for" (for lack of a better explanation) their attitude turns around - he may perk up knowing that another being depends on him.
 

EnzoLeya

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An adult cat sounds like a great match for him!

I had a great uncle that got a cat when his wife passed away. He was sort of loosing it, but the cat gave him something to care about and take care of. He did have family and neighbors who stopped by to make sure the cat had food and water. If I remember right he did pretty well with taking care of the cat until the last few months of his life.
 

natalie_ca

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I too think an adult cat....5 or 6 years old. They are more settled and less active (usually), and don't require daily walks. Dogs are high maintenance and it's not fun going out in -50 degree weather to walk your dog.
 

sweets

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Can your neighbor go for walks? If so, then an older dog would be really good for him. Getting him out and interacting with other people would be a good benefit.

I would NOT recommend a retired greyhound. They are generally not housebroken and they still have a lot of energy and need to run.
 

jcat

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Originally Posted by Sweets

Can your neighbor go for walks? If so, then an older dog would be really good for him. Getting him out and interacting with other people would be a good benefit.
That's what I was going to say. If he's lonely, he's more apt to meet people while out walking a dog, and the exercise might do him good, too. Does he have a fenced-in yard, so that he wouldn't absolutely have to take the dog for a walk in a blizzard?
 

butzie

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Originally Posted by CoolCat

Just for ask my friend....
...he had before to a pet?...
....I mean, he knows the responsability of a pet?....
....
Good point. If he knows the responsibility of a pet, the adult cat sounds fine.
 

lauracatlover

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Originally Posted by Sweets

I would NOT recommend a retired greyhound. They are generally not housebroken and they still have a lot of energy and need to run.
Oh. lol
Shows how much I know then! I just presumed they'd be...old and not need too much exercise, without being nasty


In that case then, I think he should get either an adult dog if he can go for walks, or an older kitty
 
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