Should I get another one?

plebayo

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I hope this is the right forum section!

Some of you know by reading my post in the 'Crossing the Bridge' section one of my cats, Pause passed away yesterday. I am by no means ready for another cat, I feel like it will be impossible to find another cat like him, not to mention he found me, I didn't find him. I am a little worried about Napolean [my other cat] though. They were pretty good buddies, they would sleep together and groom each other. I am gone 8-10 hours a day working so Napolean will now be left home alone. He doesn't seem too bothered with Pause not being there. He was more vocal last night, meowing more than normal and he slept on me/next to me all night. I wouldn't say he's overly stressed about it. I really just feel bad that now he truly is alone during the day. What do you guys think?

Again, I am NOT looking to get another cat. The thought makes me want to cry because really, I just want my cat back. For those of you who maybe have only one cat, if it has to be home alone all day do you leave the radio or tv on?
 

darlili

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when Dharma was an only cat, I did leave the radio on all day - usually a classical or new age-y station. Actually, I still do while I'm gone, which is usually 12 hours on a work day.

I'm so sorry for your loss - and prayers for you and Napoleon while you grieve together.

How old is Napoleon, and does he have windows to look out and toys to play with while you're gone...I'm sure you interact with him a lot while you;re gone. Have you explained to him what happened?

Give yourself and Napoleon a little time here - it will take a while to adjust, and for you to see if Napoleon really would do well with another friend, or if he'll be fine as an only. A friend had two sister cats - one died at about 12. She was really worried about the remaining cat, but turned out the sister seemed to do very well as an only and lived for another years.
 

catnurse22

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I would play it by ear. You, and Napoleon for that matter, are grieving over your loss. I would give it a while and see how Napoleon is doing. See if he seems depressed when you're there, is starving for affection when you get home, etc. I've never had a single cat home for an extended period of time, so I don't know what to tell you there. I always feel that cats need love and interaction that we as humans simply can't provide.
 

zane's pal

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My Zane is an only cat. As a matter of fact, he HATES other cats. He's just fine with me away at work. Even when I go away for the weekend or something he's OK (I have an automatic feeder, and a neighbor checks in on him to see that he has enough water.) He's glad to see me when I come home, but I don't think he's suffering for being alone.

(He did get upset when Father died, though.)
 

poppy0109

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Poppy is an only cat and I leave the radio on for him. I picked a jazz station.

When my Monti died in December, I felt that there was no way I could get another cat because no other cat would replace him and I just wanted him and only him. But as the weeks went on and I was getting lonely, I decided I would get another kitten in March or April. Every day I would look on Petfinder just to see what kittens were out there...there weren't many and none of them seemed to be right for me...but then at the end of January there was Poppy on Petfinder. I raced to the animal hospital where he was up for adoption and as soon as I picked him up, I knew I had to take him home.

I thought I would share that with you because I was feeling the way you are now just a few months ago. But maybe another cat will find you when you least expect it and you will take him in to your family and Napolean will have another friend.
 

claydust

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We had four a couple years ago but lost our two "Old Girls" within a couple months of each other.

The remaining two, Taz and Morgan were enough for us and each other but I always though while it was tough to lose the other two, they had good lives and their passing opened up an opportunity for someone else in need and these can show up at any time.

Sort of like;

Originally Posted by Poppy0109

I thought I would share that with you because I was feeling the way you are now just a few months ago. But maybe another cat will find you when you least expect it and you will take him in to your family and Napolean will have another friend.
Almost a year ago, I brought Kasey home, her story is at the bottom of the first post'

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ighlight=Kasey
 

nurseangel

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We could tell Speck was lonely after Smoke died. Every day, we would find a grey squirel dog toy on top of the bed. I didn't even know Speck could lift it, much less carry it up on the bed. We weren't ready for another cat, but when a stray presented herself, we took her in. She hasn't really made a good friend for Speck, since she's so mean. Now he finds himself getting slapped and bit a lot, though he's done nothing to deserve it. However, Speck no longer seems bored. Speck is only 2 years old. If I had it to do over again, I would have gotten him a very young kitten.

I'm sorry for your loss. I hope whatever you decide works out for the very best.
 
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plebayo

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How old is Napoleon, and does he have windows to look out and toys to play with while you're gone...I'm sure you interact with him a lot while you;re gone. Have you explained to him what happened?
Napolean will be 4 this year. He does have a few windows to look at [and horses to watch outside.] I don't have many toys for him right now... some cardboard boxes he can climb on and in, I'm going to bring some fake mice home for him to play with and I just bought a laser toy to play with him when I am home. I have to say through my own fits of bawling I really haven't sat down and told him what happened to Pause yet. I think I'll be more ready to do that when I get his ashes back because it still doesn't feel real to me.

Napolean was an only cat for about a year or so when we got Pause. I lived with my parents then and my mom was home all day so he always had someone to be around, plus the dogs. My dogs now come to work with me, I'd take Napolean with me but he HATES the vet clinic, so no point in stressing him out that way. He's a pretty social guy, he LOVES dogs, he loves it when I bring new dogs over [when I dogsit.] Him and Pause got on immediatley. I tried the whole "seperating" them thing, between doors and letting them adjust but it just freaked Napolean out, so I just let them out together and by the next day they were cool.

I thought I would share that with you because I was feeling the way you are now just a few months ago. But maybe another cat will find you when you least expect it and you will take him in to your family and Napolean will have another friend.
Thank you so much for sharing. That is exactly how I feel right now. I don't want another cat, I want MY cat. I want my white cat with the funny markings and squeaky meow.

Thanks for all of the input. It's just been such a tough time.
 
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