Hello I am new

[Ambersmum]

 

Sorry to hear about your loss.  We've only had ambr since 3rd September and would be lost without her 

[Big Cat Lover]

Like the other posts on here, you never get over losing a beloved furbaby - I still miss our old family cat, Gypsy; she died 13 years ago.

I rescued a Battersea cat, Lucky, just over a year ago; she could never replace Gypsy but I love her for who she is. 

[lornab]

That's exactly what happened to us after our two old ladies died, we only lasted about 6 months without a cat before we started fostering for the cats protection league, and also ended up keeping two kittens that were 'past their sell by date'.
Taking on a cat is a big commitment especially if you consider they might live to be 20 like ours did, fostering is a great way of dipping your toe back in the water to see now it feels.

[Mymblesdaughter]

It took me ages to be able to get more cats after Greycat died. If it was up to OH we never would, because he said it wouldn't be right to try to replace her. After 5 years with no cats I started volunteering at a rescue. It wasn't long before I was fostering a Mum and kittens. I ended up keeping two of the kittens as they were getting 'old and ugly' to quote the person who runs the rescue    It's actually quite a good way to go if your not sure, because they aren't your cats, but you can see how you feel having cats around again. I realised that there are so many cats needing homes, that I could give a good home to.

I do worry about anything happening to them and worry now even though they are only 2 about how upset I'll be when they die. We were both absolutely devastated last time. I think now I wouldn't wait so long to get another because just having a little fur ball around the place can help take you mind off your loss. No cat ever gets replaced I still think about Greycat lots.   

[amethyst 28]

totally agree, you never replace just make a bit of space for someone new 

Thanks again for your comments as you say there is always cats need homes,I have thought about it my 2 were rescues and if I did find a home in the future it would have to be another rescue

Think I still got the knack one of the cats in our street comes out of the bushes when I pass to say hello its funny,likes a bit of fuss then trots off

[Dawn F]

totally agree, you never replace just make a bit of space for someone new 

[LouiseJ]

Sue is right - it is not about replacing at all, it is about giving another cat a chance.

When we got the girls I was very clear on wanting black cats as they are the ones left at rescues most often apparently and Simba is a hard luck story I fell for 

We decided that despite our vet not being keen on us taking on a cat with gingivitis as she didn't like the idea of taking all his teeth out, he would have a happier life, however long, in a home rather than a rescue. He is thriving though on his diet of raw food and aloe vera gel!

You will miss them, its only natural. You'll never love them less, you love a new one for themselves.   

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

Amethyst, if everyone donated just £3 per month, the charities would not be short of funds, that's for sure.   

I've said what you've said before, about not having another cat, and sometimes it's very hard to risk yourself in such a wholehearted investment again.

It's not about "replacing" one cat with another though.  That over-simplifies it.    It's about giving another cat an opportunity they wouldn't otherwise have.

I've never "replaced" any of my cats.  I've mourned their loss, and I continue to do so, but I also welcome  a new character, a different personality, a unique individual with a great deal to offer and to share with us, for however long or short that may be. 
 
I hope maybe one day you'll be able to make a place in your life for another cat or cats of your own, but if that's never possible for you, you're more than welcome to share ours, I'm sure.   

[amethyst 28]

I still miss my girls think of them everyday amber was buried in the garden,we planted a rose for her with the obvious choice of Amber Queen Jasmine was buried also but we moved after but I am sure her jasmine shrub is still thriving.Thanks for the feedback,I love and will always love cats but I dont honestly think I couldnt replace my girls with someone new maybe we will change our mind one day but not yet anyway.I still donate £3 month to cats protection so I am still helping its not much but the more people who donate then the figures add up.Christmas time I will be donating a small gift to blue cross after reading Bob the street cat of London his owner James Bowen has raised a lot of money for this good cause
Cats are beautiful and very intelligent in their loving ways and I will always love them

[LouiseJ]

  and so sorry to hear about your cats.
When the time is right you'll start having a think about giving another cat (s) a loving home.
Interesting subject, the spirituality aspect and to chuck my hat into the ring I believe wholeheartedly that there is something else for us all which includes animals. How can they not have a soul when they have characters, habits, little ways of doing things and clearly make their own decisions on things?
I have my Chelsea around me all the time, I often feel a cat next to me on the bed, reach over and there is nothing there and my girls (my boy has his own bedroom still as the integration hasn't been a success) for all they like a fuss won't sleep where she used to at night.
As Souffle says, time on the bridge passing in the blink of an eye....and Sue is right about the bee.
 

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

It's always very hard when we lose a beloved companion, and our cats most definitely are those.  Am so sorry you lost yours in close succession Amethyst. 

Spirituality is a very subjective thing, but I think our cats are where we find them, if that makes any sense?  I chat to mine when I'm out in the garden.  All my lost babies.  But I sometimes feel or see them around the house too.  Mainstream religion generally holds that animals have no souls, but I'm not sure I buy into that.  The whole idea of theology and religious concepts places tooomuch restriction on the potential of the Universe in my view, and so I tend to keep  an open mind on things I know little about.

If my cats choose to present themselves to my conscious mind in a  myriad of ways - touch, memory, a sight, or sound - or a bumble bee  - then that is special to me, and it doesnt really matter to me whether someone else shares my belief or not.  They aren't me.

And remember - the accepted view in the scientific world is that bumblebees defy the laws of aerodynamics which means in essence they should not be able to fly.  You tell that tot he bumble bee.  I dont suppose he'll mind that's what the scientists think, as long as he can keep on doing what he's been doing.   

[amethyst 28]

During this summer a few things have happened in a nice way,one sunny morning a bumble bee flew into the kitchen I thought is that you amber come back as a bee to say hello to mummy,then another morning whether it was the same bee or not I dont know,I was sitting out the back garden when this bumble bee was buzzing around me for a few seconds then flew off,was it amber saying hello again?

Then a butterfly landed on one of the tops that was drying on the line and it stayed there for about 10 mins or so was it amber saying hello mummy Im fine dont worry
Is there a spirutal life where pets come back as something else or am I just being silly has anybody else expierenced this or not thanks

[souffle]

I am sorry for your losses. It is hard - so very hard to accept the loss but it gets easier in time. The bridge is a place where time has no meaning remember and in the blink of an eye to them you will be together again. For now they need you to live out your own life and share it with others while they play till you meet again.
I'm sending hugs to you... I'm sure they have met our loved little ones up there xx

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

We lost my adored Chivvy at the age of 19 and his sister a year later. It was so hard to go from being a 2 cat family to being cat-free. Alfie came and found us 2 years later, I have had him for just over a year now. Then we inherited my SIL's cat when she went abroad. So we are back to being a 2 cat household again but even now, 3 years later, I still cry when I think of Chivvy 

[amethyst 28]

Thanks for your support and also all those who have lost their cats,they will always be in our hearts always think of the happy times you spent with your beloved one,the pain does get easier,I think of my 2 every day.

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

  so sorry to hear about your losses 

[Greenlaner]

I know how it feels. My one before Billy , was nearly eighteen when her time came and cats before her. They just become such a part of your life. Billy is a cheeky seven year old.   

[Jiji]

So sorry to hear about your cats 

[amethyst 28]

I am a lover of cats had 2 in fact but lost both having to put them to sleep age 16.It was hard to lose one but when I lost the second 9 months ago I was devistated.You know one day they have to go because they cant live forever but when the time comes,it is heartbreaking part of the family which has been with you for such a long time,they were both strays but we were meant to be together.I cried so much that I found a pet berevement site which did get me over my grief,where they mentioned your cat has gone to rainbow bridge which is a nice place,where they run around the field having fun free from illnesses and pain and a message please dont cry anymore.It really touched me so I did get over the grief,I think of both of them every day,the happy times we shared and it is nice to think of that every day,it shows how much you loved them