Greeting from Terlingua Texas

Let's get the introductions' over first and then I'll chatter.  I'm the proud provider for two Huskies - Sasha, a Siberian and Avalanche, an Alaskan.  Live completely off grid in the desert of south Texas near the Big Bend National Park and the Mexican border.  I'm also a 69 year old bachelor.

"So what am I doing here?" they ask. About eight months ago I had a cat walk out of the desert and into our community hearts.  Well until yesterday I was also the caretaker for an approximately 2 year old American short-haired; (this is Sunday) last Thursday I noticed DC (use your imagination) wasn't looking good.  Figured I'd wait a day and see what was going on and he was not getting better but also not getting worse.  Friday DC was nowhere to be found - which wasn't too unusual since he's been an in-and-out cat.  Friday night he still hadn't come in and since it was going to get cold (in the desert 30 is cold!)  I located him by the water tanks and brought him in.  Saturday morning I took him to the vet who diagnosed a urinary tract blockage, knocked DC out and worked his magic ... DC never woke up again.

"So, what are you doing here?" While I'm still in shock and mourning (as are the dogs) I'd like to add another adult cat back into the family.  The dogs are both cat friendly - which considering the reputation Huskies have was a surprise.    I'm looking at the local shelter for another cat.  Not as a 'replacement' - we all know that there's no such thing as a replacement for a loved pet - but because I enjoy having a cat around and oddly, so do my dogs.

While I enjoy the friendship I have with my Huskies, I also like having a cat around.  For the obvious reason of being a mouse deterrent and my dogs are just too big to provide the appropriate "foot warmer".

With DC's abrupt passing, I find that my knowledge of cats is nowhere near my knowledge of dogs and I think that if I'm going to add another cat to the household, it behooves me to join a cat forum where I can garner some of the knowledge I'm lacking.  I never even thought that a urinary tract infection, which are so common with canines, could be so abruptly lethal with a feline.

"SO, what are you doing here?"  I'm meandering; I've just been brought brutally aware that I need someone whose ear I can bend when things don't seem right and a comment on the wisdom of adding a new cat into the mix so abruptly after losing DC.

Hi and welcome to TCS!  I'm sorry about DC.  

As to when to add a new kitty to the mix--it's such a personal call.  I lost an almost 18 year old kitty who was my heart.  I thought it would be a long time, if ever, before I wanted to try to open my heart and home to a new kitty.  But....three weeks later, I was at the SPCA picking up not one, but TWO, kittens.  I couldn't stand not having a cat in the house.  Now I have four.  

You will find plenty of like-minded as well as knowledgeable and helpful folks here.  Browse the forums and post away if you have questions.  

Welcome and I am sorry for your loss. I love Huskies too, they are such fantastic pups.

I actually had the same experience as @betsygee  - I lost one of my best pals at age 18+ last December and then this October my other kitty (also 18+) passed as well.

I honestly thought I was going to die from missing them.

But then less than a month later I was at the shelter I volunteer at picking up two kittens.

I think you will know when the time is right honestly. I felt a little guilty - like I was disrespecting the cats who had been my companions my entire adult life. A friend of mine said something to me that really helped - she said that I wasn't trying to fill the Maxx and Zammis (my cats) holes in my life, I was filling the lack of cats hole in my life. I now have Mayaa who is 95% outdoors and Tomo and Zuul.

I still miss my other kitties all the time but coming home feels right again. 

As far as tips for getting  new kitty, if you want that sort of thing...

- Good shelters will let you and your dogs meet a kitty before adopting to see if you all get along - I have experience with Maine Coon mixes really liking dog companionship, not sure if that is a breed thing or just a coincidence.

- There are a LOT of cats who not only tolerate dogs but love them. My friend has a semi feral that hates her but adores her dog.

- Though I got kittens this time around, my current in-and-out kitty was 8 or so when I found her. I really like adopting adult cats- no going through the kitten crazy!

Hello and welcome to TCS. So sorry to hear about your loss of DC. What I want to say is that when you do find that right cat to "Replace the kitty hole" in your heart. ( I love that thought and line, so comforting and appropriate at a time such as this), I would recommend "INTRODUCTIONS" for your new cat and dogs. Even though DC and your dogs were "buddies" from the get go, that does not mean that will be the case right off the bat with the new cat. So, for the safety of the new feline addition, I feel strongly that our experts will recommend the same. (I could be wrong, but don't think so". I do not have experience with "Introductions" and as I think of it, don't think that I have read about Cat/Dog introductions, but can't believe that this procedure does not apply to Cat/Dog as most certainly does with Cat/Cat first meetings. Like as said, we have wonderful and experienced cat owners here and they will be glad to help. Again, welcome, sir.