Thank you so much Pat for your sweet words, and for the million hugs and cups of herbal tea, too! For me, my cats have always been my kids, since I wasn’t able to have children. I know kids aren’t remotely the same as cats, but I’d swear at times that Lulu is smarter than some people! 😉 I know that at some point in the future, my husband and I will be “adopted by” at least one kitty! Again, many thanks for your kind words.

Thanks so much Bernadette, for your advice. I’ve had others suggest more than one kitten as well. Definitely something to consider. What I already know I can’t do is become a foster parent to a kitty. Why? Because I’d keep every single one. Seriously – I know me, and I’d be what they call a “failed foster” in no time at all. 🙂 I’m spending lots of time thinking about what’s best, and will keep you posted. Again, I really appreciate your thoughts!

And the look on your face, sweet Laura, just breaks my heart. I can’t even put it into words…

I think it’s perfectly understandable that you are experiencing renewed grief now. In the immediate aftermath of a loss, sometimes we subconsciously compartmentalize it in the “I’ll deal with this later because I can’t fully deal with it now” category. Remember: There is no right or wrong way to grieve. It’s a very personal process, and only you know which method of dealing with it is best for you at any given time.

As for adopting another cat… I think that Bernadette has come up with ideas and suggestions that are far superior to anything I could come up with. I know that whatever decision you make, it will be the right one for you, your husband, Lulu, and the future member(s?) of your family.

Sending a million hugs and cups of herbal tea,

Pat xoxo

You could begin by fostering cats or kittens, and see how that goes over with Lulu. Adult cats who need cage breaks, especially those near her age who are unlikely to be adopted, or two kittens who are playmates with each other and just need time before they are of age to be altered and put up for adoption. Sometimes while fostering you find your forever kitty–or kitties! And often, it helps to ease the feeling that you are betraying the kitty you’ve lost, or trying to replace her. At the same time you are helping to save the lives of the cats you foster, and getting Lulu accustomed to other felines.

Typically, an age and temperament match is best for adopting a new cat into a feline household, and you could actually find a senior kitty around Lulu’s age or even a few years younger and see how it goes.

If you wanted to adopt a kitten, with an older kitty, I usually advise to adopt two kittens–they can play and wrestle with each other and all their kitten energy, easier for an older cat go become acclimated because all of one kitten’s attention isn’t directed at a cat who is no match for that energy. And there are so many kittens who are bonded and do best adopted together.

Good luck with your search!