Completely random thought, no one crucify me for this

OKay, here goes.

I have two cats, Charlie (male, 7 mo. old fixed) & Jet (female, 5 mo. old fixed)

lately i've been very morbid and thinking about all the bad things that could happen. and i thought, what would i do, if further down the line in my life, something happened to jet, or charlie, or both. and then i started to wish, that they weren't fixed, so they could have kittens for me...and leave behind little charlie and jet hybrids for me...for when they leave this planet and go off to kitty heaven...

i would have  pieces of them both with me....

LOL, totally unrealistic right?? but i just was just thinking..

i hope i'm not the only one that thinks like this!! and please no one crucify me for this...

maybe i've been thinking about my own health issues, worried about not being able to have kids...and not being able to leave behind a piece of me...and somehow thought about the cats   

I think that is understandable when you love a cherished pet so very much. We are just glad that you will not be following through with making kittens for that sole purpose. I have actually thought that myself - and I bet many other's have had that thought a time or two with a beloved pet or one we have lost. Wanting one from the exact same bloodline - so to speak. It is not a strange thought at all. In fact, I think people have mentioned the thought of wanting to clone a dearly loved pet.

yes...i too have had that thought for various pets that i have owned...

.My black cat sparky....which is on the right in the avatar...had to be put to sleep in jan.2014...he was dying from complications related to his positive fiv and positive felv status...and while he was being treated, i drove him home from the vet and had that exact thought....that i wished he had kittens out there somewhere or atleast brothers or sisters....this was ridiculous thinking on my part...because he may have gotten the fiv and felv from his mom...so genetically he could pass it on....and also the amount of cats in shelters and unwanted is staggering.... so even though i would want a similar sweet, lovebug cat who showed up outside my side porch in the middle of winter,  to come knocking on my door again....i could still not stop spaying or neutering because so many don't make it.

Adoption is the best....because even though the personalities may be so different...still each generation has its own time.

 

I agree with @Feralvr, this is something many of us will think about from time to time, in various ways and with different thoughts or concerns.  Not always something everyone talks about openly.  Slightly different for me as I always knew I didn't want human children. I used to think a little like you about my 2 girls but I knew it wouldn't be good for them to have kittens and that I would not know what to do to care for them properly through that either so kept reminding myself I was being selfish.  Then I reminded myself how I would not really want a close of one of my girls but would want to give love to more cats that were already in this world, and meet as many precious creatures as I could.  At other times I would worry about the responsibility for other lives and what would happen if I left them on their own and my responsibility for them in a future without me too.  I think having some thoughs like these are all part of being a responsible and thoughtful cat parent who thinks about what they are doing and the quality of life they give to the animals they open their heart and home to.

When I did get to loosing both my female cats the idea of having a cat like them left me, and what I really wanted was another cat as different to them as possible so I could see my new family member as themself and not prolong grieving for those that had moved on.

I've occasionally wondered what Swanie and Cindy's kittens would be like, if they could have them.  Not so much to have a piece of them when they leave us, but because they would be darn cute and I'd love to see how they "raised" them. 

My GF has a gorgeous male tiger cat, Mooch. He is simply beautiful. My RB Banshee was a beautiful blotched tabby. We often wondered what kind of kittens they would have had.   With their pretty white bellies and paws and those gorgeous stripes, they would have been some mighty pretty kittens.

And we realize that that's not how it works. And we know all about genetics and all that. But they would have been Mooch's and Banshee's kittens and that would have made them the most beautiful kittens to us. 

I used to think the same thing all the time thing about my yellow lab, Maggie. The thought of being without her hurt so bad, even when she was right next to me. She was registered and so beautiful, smart and exceptional I thought replicating her would be a great idea. I could always have my baby, or a part of her, by my side.
The more I thought about it, the obvious problems hit me: it wouldn't have been just one puppy for me, but a whole litter needing proper homes. And I would have been absolutely berserk, doing background checks, home visits, interviews. To me, it would have been like giving away my grandkids. The reality is I would have kept every puppy because I would not have trusted anyone else at all with our babies.
The puppies would all have their own, distinct personalities. I am sure I would have adored each and every puppy, but what if I was secretly disappointed that they didn't quite measure up to the wonderful standard Maggie set? The guilt would have killed me. It is a terrible thought, but quite possible. I would always be quietly comparing them to her and noticing all the differences. Plus, the constant reminder of her everyday would make me sad and incapable of moving on without her.
And this may sound dumb, but I was revolted and disturbed by the thought of my sweet baby mating. I guess I had a taste of what parents feel when their kid starts dating. It is not a nice feeling.
Of course, she was fixed at a young age, so by the time I thought of the day I would inevitably lose her, it was a moot point. The day dream, which now included me surrounded by six or seven labs, was nice.
She has been gone for about 4 years now and, I won't lie, it has been hard. Thank god for my kitties and my husband's dog (who is also now gone). I still miss her everyday and guess I always will. Taking care of her and training her was the best thing I have ever done with my life. I am still so proud of her. The only regret I have is not field training her, which she would have loved. And we would have had a great time learning together, although I do wonder if she would have actually picked up a dead duck- she was very fastidious (the only exception being a good mud puddle). She was one of a kind. I don't know how to articulate this properly, but I feel like our business is complete. She was meant to be in my life for a certain time, that time is over and it is right. It is like a closed circle. When I get to the Rainbow Bridge to pick her up, the circle will be filled in.

I couldn't resist putting in a photo.

Oh she is so beautiful. You can see her goodness in her face. I still think about a dog that died 50 years ago. I'm looking forward to seeing her again.

I had to remember the other day while feeling exactly the same way that it is like having human children.  You may want to make sure there is something of yourself left in the world when you go but the difference is that the kittens would still be their own selves even if they are parts of the cats you love.  This does not make them the cats that are loved now.  The kittens at the shelters and refuges are still a lovely tribute.

I lost both my children and while I feel the loss even after years, I will say that while I love my grandson to pieces, I do not see him as a continuation of his mother, but as his own person and the love I had for his mother and the love I have for him are two very individual feelings.  I think that while some may disagree with me, that it is also that way with the cats.  I so would love to believe that my love for them could go to other cats and kittens should I lose one of them without the loss of the feelings that I have for them.  The human spirit is made to be able to handle an increase of love that way.  Love for 100 others whether they be humans or cats takes up no more room than love for 1 or 2.  

@happybird....i think this story speaks to the bond that cats and dogs have with us...how they make our lives richer...what a beautiful story.  i especially like the part aboout the dead duck and mud puddles..lol...heartwarming. I too think that they are meant to be with us only for a certain time...when that time is over...they have to go...kind of like they taught us something and then they move on.

Shoshanna said:

 
I had to remember the other day while feeling exactly the same way that it is like having human children.  You may want to make sure there is something of yourself left in the world when you go but the difference is that the kittens would still be their own selves even if they are parts of the cats you love.  This does not make them the cats that are loved now.  The kittens at the shelters and refuges are still a lovely tribute.

I lost both my children and while I feel the loss even after years, I will say that while I love my grandson to pieces, I do not see him as a continuation of his mother, but as his own person and the love I had for his mother and the love I have for him are two very individual feelings.  I think that while some may disagree with me, that it is also that way with the cats.  I so would love to believe that my love for them could go to other cats and kittens should I lose one of them without the loss of the feelings that I have for them.  The human spirit is made to be able to handle an increase of love that way.  Love for 100 others whether they be humans or cats takes up no more room than love for 1 or 2.  

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@shoshanna...words cannot express my condolences.  i cannot imagine your human loss..i would be utterly devastated and angry at life.  yet you still see the goodness.  even though i don't yet see the love i have for my cats as equivalent to the love of my humans...i do still see it as love...and yes you are right....my love can carry forth to other cats...okay...maybe humans too.  your words are very deep.

sweetthangtx said:

Oh she is so beautiful. You can see her goodness in her face. I still think about a dog that died 50 years ago. I'm looking forward to seeing her again.

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@sweetthangtx....yes...i too look forward to that.(seeing my animals again and hearing what they have to say)

Happybird, Maggie was a beautiful dog. I understand your feelings for her. 

Years ago, on one of my lunch walks, I met Molly, who was also a yellow lab. Such a sweetie. She and I got to be good friends and it got to the point where she would be waiting in the driveway for me. As I walked around the corner, she'd see me coming and she'd start barking. That tail would be wagging, you'd think she'd wag that tail right off her body. We'd meet every day. I loved that dog, even though she wasn't really mine...she still had a piece of my heart. Her parents were wonderful people, too, and I got to know both of them very well. One of Molly's "jobs" was to get the newspaper and she took her job very seriously. Well, one day, she came out to the newspaper box to get the paper and I was walking up the street. And she saw me. Poor Molly! She didn't know what to do. She wanted to get the paper, but she so wanted to meet me and she couldn't do both. So she came out to meet me, I got the paper and gave it to her and she trotted back to her dad with the paper in her mouth. Then she flopped down in the garage and rolled over for a good tummy scratch. 

As the years went by, Molly got older and she got to the point where I'd stop in to help her out of the house so she could pee. And then she got very ill and the time came when I had to go to say good-bye to her in the animal hospital. It was difficult. A few years ago, Molly's mother passed away and late last year, her dad passed on, too. And now the house is up for sale. But I still think about her every day when I walk past her house. I think labs are one of the friendliest dogs around.

Shoshanna, I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even begin to imagine the pain of losing one child, let alone both of them. And you are right about children being their own selves. I can see my son in my grandchildren, but the grandchildren have their own distinct personalities, too. And we love them for that as well.  

Winchester said:

 
Happybird, Maggie was a beautiful dog. I understand your feelings for her. 

Years ago, on one of my lunch walks, I met Molly, who was also a yellow lab. Such a sweetie. She and I got to be good friends and it got to the point where she would be waiting in the driveway for me. As I walked around the corner, she'd see me coming and she'd start barking. That tail would be wagging, you'd think she'd wag that tail right off her body. We'd meet every day. I loved that dog, even though she wasn't really mine...she still had a piece of my heart. Her parents were wonderful people, too, and I got to know both of them very well. One of Molly's "jobs" was to get the newspaper and she took her job very seriously. Well, one day, she came out to the newspaper box to get the paper and I was walking up the street. And she saw me. Poor Molly! She didn't know what to do. She wanted to get the paper, but she so wanted to meet me and she couldn't do both. So she came out to meet me, I got the paper and gave it to her and she trotted back to her dad with the paper in her mouth. Then she flopped down in the garage and rolled over for a good tummy scratch. 

As the years went by, Molly got older and she got to the point where I'd stop in to help her out of the house so she could pee. And then she got very ill and the time came when I had to go to say good-bye to her in the animal hospital. It was difficult. A few years ago, Molly's mother passed away and late last year, her dad passed on, too. And now the house is up for sale. But I still think about her every day when I walk past her house. I think labs are one of the friendliest dogs around.

Shoshanna, I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even begin to imagine the pain of losing one child, let alone both of them. And you are right about children being their own selves. I can see my son in my grandchildren, but the grandchildren have their own distinct personalities, too. And we love them for that as well.  

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@Winchester  ...this story just made my day.  I laughed and cried then smiled again.  I could picture the whole scene. Its so amazing how much joy other animals, as well as our own can bring us. And even if their lives are too short,  they are still full lives,  and make the humans around them smile.

I get it, too.  I was blessed with three children, one of whom has passed away without having children of his own.  It made me sad at first but then I realized, whether he had children or not, he's left a piece of himself behind.  In the memories we have, in the small kindnesses he showed people, in the donations people make in his name.

You leave behind a legacy, even if it isn't a physical one. By helping others, including non-human others, you leave a wonderful legacy!

Shoshanna - I must tell you how much I admire you.  Having lost one, I am not sure I could survive loosing more.  God bless you!

Ondine said:

 
I get it, too.   I was blessed with three children, one of whom has passed away without having children of his own.  It made me sad at first but then I realized, whether he had children or not, he's left a piece of himself behind.  In the memories we have, in the small kindnesses he showed people, in the donations people make in his name.

You leave behind a legacy, even if it isn't a physical one. By helping others, including non-human others, you leave a wonderful legacy!

Shoshanna - I must tell you how much I admire you.  Having lost one, I am not sure I could survive loosing more.  God bless you!

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by @Ondine...."You leave behind a legacy, even if it isn't a physical one. By helping others, including non-human others, you leave a wonderful legacy!"

..thank you for this....i would like to copy it and put the quote up on my wall along with other daily affirmations I wake up to.  It is uplifting.

.

I just now realized I may have hijacked this thread.....i apologize to the OP @Lamiatron....because i may have posted too many replies.  It was just that your thread contained so many great stories.  

Wow - I'm going to be quoted!  Too cool!  Thanks for the compliment cat nap.  But it is so true.  We've come to think that if we aren't in the news or  aren't creating HUGE changes, we leave no legacy.  I just think that's nonsense.

I am hoping all of our posts helped Lamiatron feel better.

Ondine said:

 
Wow - I'm going to be quoted!  Too cool!  Thanks for the compliment cat nap.  But it is so true.  We've come to think that if we aren't in the news or  aren't creating HUGE changes, we leave no legacy.  I just think that's nonsense.

I am hoping all of our posts helped Lamiatron feel better.

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LOL...wait a minute....i didn't say anything about being in the NEWS or huge changes....(angelina jolie or brad pitt)....lol.

 I just love that you said that people leave behind a legacy even if it may not be physical.....but i know what you mean.....i am just trying to get your cat fur up,

and don't want you to get a big ego or something...lol

Now....i am going off to find ways to be in the news and make huge changes... .

yes....i hope lamiatron does feel better, too.  

I will try not to grow a big ego!

I really am of the opinion, though, that the small changes are probably more effective/long lasting than big ones anyway.  It was Margaret Mead who said "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

(I'm writing that from memory, so it may not be exact.  But you get the point)

Ondine said:

 

I will try not to grow a big ego!

I really am of the opinion, though, that the small changes are probably more effective/long lasting than big ones anyway.   It was Margaret Mead who said "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

(I'm writing that from memory, so it may not be exact.  But you get the point)

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" a small group of committed people"....."can change the world"...Margaret Mead.....

awesome.