New Soon To Write Much

Right now I'm already getting too teared up to see the page well, so I'll go into all my cat's (Mansfield) wonderful qualities in some future time.

But a particular problem I'm having is all the other deaths that occurred this year. My best friend of 45 years whose children I watched grow from infants to men, another wonderful man, my roommate in New York that I ended up knowing for 15 years he was such a fine man, my sister whose life was spent struggling with illness but who still had a fine life and never thought of herself. And 6 to 8 weeks ago Mansfield, my cat who I loved and vis-versa for 15 years. I also lost my parents as a teenager, another sister, the identical twin of the sister who just died and other also. (Both sisters had kidney disease, Sue making it for many years after a transplant from her son, Sally never making it, who died in 1980)

So, with Mansfield needing to be put to sleep, all the losses rolled together and it's been a hard time.

I got a new cat, from a shelter; they and I are sure it's a Maine Coon. I'll ask my vet too. But it's unmistakeable. But as several articles said, having a Maine Coon is like a human having a 3 yr old child, into everything. He's very cute and beautiful cat, but he sure does take a lot of energy to monitor. And my cat already here hisses and yowls whenever the new one escapes the one room I set up for him.

So, I've no idea if this will work out but I'm a bit pessimistic. (The rescue found this Maine Coon wandering the streets just before Christmas. It must not have had a collar with a number for the owner. So after a time to see if the owner showed up to claim the cat, they put it out for adoption. That's how a Maine Coon ended up in a shelter.)

I'm so very sorry about Mansfield, about all the other loved ones you've lost over your life.  That's a very long list and the amount of grief you feel must sometimes be overwhelming.  It may be particularly hard right now because Mansfield's love was some of how you cope. It sounds like the two of you were very important to each other and that he provided a lot of support for you during the hard times.  Now he's gone and it's no wonder the grief is so intense you can barely see the page.  Please be gentle with yourself and allow yourself to grieve as much as you need,  you loved each other very much.  Hopefully, someday,  you'll find some comfort from remembering happier times.   For now, he lives on in your heart.

How long have you had your new Maine Coon?  A successful introduction can take weeks so please do not lose hope yet.  It was very good of you to open your home and heart to another cat after Mansfield moved on and it's probably too soon to conclude anything about the future. In the meantime, this article might help:

 [article="32680"]How To Successfully Introduce Cats The Ultimate Guide​[/article]  

Just a final point, your other cat might be grieving for Mansfield.  Be sure to give him (or her) a lot of affection.  (S)he may be in need of reassurance right now.

Again, I am so sorry about Mansfield.  

RIP Mansfield      

I am so incredibly sorry to hear of the loss of Mansfield and all of your other losses..  I cannot imagine having gone through all of that.

Although I know it doesn't compare, I lost my mother earlier in April, 2016 and two cats in December. I know that the loss of my cats, devastating in and of themselves, is bringing up more from my mother's death and previous losses.

I really wish I had something more helpful to offer.. 

I think it's amazing that you still adopted a new cat and I hope he and your other cat can offer some comfort.

So very sorry to hear of all of your losses, just way too much to bear in not a long amount of time. As we get older, we just keep losing and losing, but we must also look at the good things that we have, and I think it is great that you took in another kitty, but please give it time, it could take a lot of time and work to get the cats to get along, but you can do it, don't be upset if there are setbacks, but I found it works if you sit and play with them, like string toys, they see each other is playing and think "ah, he's not so bad", and that usually helps bring them closer.

And yes, Maine Coons can be handfuls! Click on my avatar, and enlarge the picture of Sylvester, my joy; I got him from a not so good situation almost a year ago, and he is part Maine Coon as he actually has fur between his toes which is a sign, see if yours does too. He also is a bit wild at times, but he is mellowing living with us and is a lot of fun, so please give it time, and again I am so sorry that you had to endure so many heartaches and bad breaks.

God Bless......  

The older we get the more losses we suffer. I know how heavy that weight can get at times, sometimes I lay there at night and think of all those who have gone on and it is so depressing it crushes the soul and makes my heart heavy with sorrow. The only thing that helps is to know that not one of them would want the one left behind to feel this way. If you had to go, I'm sure you would want those loved ones to go on to a happy, wonderful life. There is not one thing we can do to change the past. But the future is ours to mold into what we want through how we lead our lives today. Let go of all that guilt and sorrow, because it is ALWAYS there, try not to dwell on the negative, but celebrate having those wonderful souls in our life at all, and hold on to what they brought to us and how much they filled our lives with love. Keep busy and do good things in their name to honor their time here on earth, they deserve no less. Donate your time, or food, or toys, to a shelter, both animal and human,it helps to make you feel a little better about yourself, and brings happiness to those who so desperately need it.  You have already started on that road to recovery by taking in that new little one, let him distract you from your sadness, and know that in time your heart will open and learn to love him in a different way, like a mother learns to love all her children, each one unique and so priceless.

The bond you have formed with each and every one of them can never be taken from you, It was spiritual in the beginning because it developed in the heart and soul, it will be spiritual for eternity now. Let it comfort you when you are down, use it to send your love and they will send theirs in return. My heart goes out to you, my prayers will be for all those you have lost to find peace and to help you through this pain you don't deserve to bear. Take care...... RIP beautiful Mansfield, you will never be forgotten and will be loved for eternity, that is a priceless gift indeed and all you ever wanted. Know you will be held tenderly in a heart that loves you so very much for evermore! 

I am truly sorry for all of your losses. Believe me, I can feel your pain. I cry daily over the many people and kitties I have lost. At times, one can feel truly alone. My heart cries along with you. Just know that everyone we lose will remain with us always. We may not see them, but they are still here with us. I truly believe that. I need to believe that, in order to go on.
Please be kind to yourself.
Give your kitties time to get to know each other. They will become friends. They just need time.
Remember your remaining kitty is mourning Mansfield's loss as well.
Just give it time. Things will work between yoyr remaining kitty and your new kitty.
RIP Sweet Mansfield!
You were so loved and will be missed forever!
Please look out for your loved ones, as they miss you so much!