Please help with your opinions, I'm feeling really torn. I've had a rough year and am pretty-well at home on the couch for much/most of the day. I live on my own, am fairly incapacitated but usually manage to cheer myself up and look after myself well. But I'm feeling a bit low and can't shake it off.
My problem is that my kitty died a couple of months ago and I feel really lonely. When he was alive I thought I would be better off not having to look after him because it is, you know, hard and sometimes painful on the joints. And of course they do cost money, something RA sufferers don't have a lot of.
I feel really happy when I resolve to take another kitten. Then I get overwhelmed about the fur, kitty-litter and vet bills and go all sensible that I won't get one after all. Then I go down again.
Get a short-hair cat from the pound... already past the naughty kitten stage, and probably already "fixed"... and probably also in desperate need of a home.
Thanks Jasmine, good idea but am allergic to most cats. The breed I can deal with only has four breeders in the country and so I don't think I can get around the baby stage.
That's a shame. I volunteer at a shelter, and one of the benefits to an older cat is that their personalities are often well known by the workers. I'm always asking prospective owners what type of cat are they looking for, energetic, mellow, etc. Obviously it would benefit you to get a low-maintenance personality.
Do you have an online database for shelter animals in Australia? We have one in the states, and you can search for purebreeds that show up in shelters. Good-luck, my cats are crucial to my well being. During my worst flares they made me feel loved and comforted. I have a toy poodle puppy that we just adore. She's a lot of work though. House breaking her about wore me out and I had my husband and kids to help. I wouldn't advise a dog due to that. She is great company though; I wouldn't take anything for her.
Another cat sounds like the best choice for you. The really low maintance as you already know. The litter box is the only thing; but it would probable be well worth the trouble.
Good luck, I hope you can get another cat.
Thank you for your input - I thought I may have been getting things out of proportion.
I have promised myself one now and am much more relaxed.
Janalex.
Cats for some reason are often sick My girlriends cat has diabetes and she has to give him shots every day. Our dog is young now so her vet bills are nothing much. When they get older it can become an issue.
I always think there is a dog or cat for everyone who has an open heart. There are so many shelters and rescue sites on the internet. You can get a dog that is not a puppy and is more settled or a cat that is healthy and checked out by a vet.
http://www.petfinder.com/
Pets bring so much to our lives, and there are studies which show that people who have pets have lower blood pressure, and live longer than those who are pet-free. And the need to take care of a pet, which forces us to get up off the couch, is actually a good thing. I say go for it!
as a mommy of four cats and three dogs.. I would say: definitely find a new friend!
The litter is the biggest hurdle w/ my cats, but scoopable isn't too terrible to deal w/ and I only have to do a full exchange occasionally (though I have four boxes)
Sometimes breeders have bitches that are beyond their breeding years and they place them in good homes.. perhaps it's that way w/ cats? maybe you can get an older cat that no longer breeds and have a friend w/out the kitten stage?
My best to you..I hope you find a new friend.
I never had a pet before in my life until it became obvious that I wasn't going to work again. Then Igot my little shih tzu. He gives me a reason to go outside every day..some of my neighbors may not know me but they all know the puppy. Its hard to imagine life without him now.
I have two cats and they arecthe best medicine for me. Both are fixed and they're indoors. Cuts down on the shedding and flea problem. As for the litter boxes. I can't bend due to hip precautions and had to come up with a way to change the boxes. I use my reacher to grab hold of the covered box. I pull it out and then get the handle pulled up until I can reach it. Then I carefully lift it, a place it on a chair next to my small work table. I remove the box hood and have my scoop and bag ready. It's so easy to scoop out the hard stuff. Then I add some new litter and reverse the process. The only trouble is lifting the new litter container to put in the boxes. Came up with using a old cup to scoop the new litter in to the boxes. Also use the reacher to push the new litter container back to it's storage spot. Would be lost w/o my reacher and my cats.
marisaJust an off the wall suggestion, but: what about a bird feeder or hummingbird feeder outside a window?
Less work than an actual pet, and there's no requirement that you feed them every day. They CAN forage for themselves. The birds will learn to recognize you (and the bag of food), and they're quite entertaining to watch.
We love to sit and watch our feeders. The Squirels are fun to watch too.
It's not quite the same as curling up for a nap with my little Lilly Belle though.
About 8 months ago we dcided to take a cat in from my boyfriend's brother's coworker, her hubby was allergic and they were going to take him to the pound if no one would take him. So we got him, he's a sweetie but seemd kinda bored so we decided to get someone for him to play with. There was an ad on Craigslist, someone closeby had too many cats, she like 8 of 'em. We brought a female cat about 8 months old home, they are the biggest hoot. They cahse each other allover the place, that is when they're not laying side by side bathing each other. We had her neutered about a month ago which required an overnight stay at the vet, thought or boy cat was gonna go crazy looking for her and calling her. I am so glad that we have them. When my BF isnt here they keep me company. They love to be petted, brushed. Having something else to worry with also takes my mind off of me. Knowing that they need me makes me more able to get up and take care of them too.
Maybe look into a rescue for the breed of cat that you want, there are rescues all over so maybe there is one near you, then you can get an older out of kitten aged cat that is the right breed for you. I think getting one is a good idea, they bring such love, affection,
and comfort and studies have shown the help with depression and stress
levels.
I am sorry your kitty passed on, My oldest kitty just passed this weekend. He was 10 years old and in good health according to the vet, he hardly ever goes outside but my kids let him out and a pit bull got hold of him and there was nothing the vet could do. My neighbors have the dog and the ordinance is that you can not have any dog outside except temporarily (to go potty) and they must be on a leash. They were in violation of the policy. All I can think of is that it could have been one of my kids out there.
I am thinking of getting them a kitten but haven't made my mind up yet. It is too soon for me.
I had 5, count 'em, 5 kitties living here. The oldest one, with me since I was a NYC guy more than a decade ago, passed away last fall. I was still on chemo and it was heart-breaking.
If you can find one that won't make you sicker, even the efforts and expense is worth it. My cats have often shown me more love and comfort than I could ever show them.
BTW, I recently got this cute magnet on my desk with this message: " Whatever You're Doing, It's Not As Important As Petting The Cat"
If you want to step out of the box a little and the vet bills and the care of the cat or dog may be too much at times. Maybe a Hamster.
I have read so many of the Stephanie Plum series books. All about a girl detective and having no time and not wanting to fuss, she has a pet hamster. I dont know much about them but they are sure cute. I think they even eat left over pizza.
I've had cats and dogs; my last dog who was my best friend had to be put down in January. I'm thinking about doing the same thing you are but I'm holdling off. I want
to be able to be there for a dog to walk, etc.
I'm going to try goldfish....or other fish. I know you can't hold them, but they are entertaining and cheap.
[QUOTE=Thinkthinn]If you want to step out of the box a little and the vet bills and the care of the cat or dog may be too much at times. Maybe a Hamster.
I have read so many of the Stephanie Plum series books. All about a girl detective and having no time and not wanting to fuss, she has a pet hamster. I dont know much about them but they are sure cute. I think they even eat left over pizza.
[/QUOTE]
I love hamsters... and yep, they eat anything that's not nailed down (including blankets and clothing!).
I would get an older kitty. There are so many that need a good home. Dogs need to be walked, but kitties just need to be fed and they are such great companions. Our Maxi is a Maine Coon, Red Tabby mix and she is our own personal comedian. We laugh whenever she comes in the room. Good luck in finding just the right furry friend for you. Let us know.
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