My beloved cats Pavlov and Ginger passed away within 11 months of each other, and my life has not been the same since. Pavlov was 20 years old and had been with me for 18 1/2 years. He passed away in March 05. Pavlov was like a dog in his devotion and sensitivity to me. He truly lived to make me happy. Ginger was only 13-14 years old when she passed away from complications due to obesity. Ginger was a sweet, docile, one-woman cat who had been mistreated prior to me finding her, and she took several years to trust me completely. But, once she did, then she too was a very devoted and loving companion. Ginger passed away in February 06, just 11 months after Pavlov. Although I thought that I was on the road to healing, sometimes I feel that I will never recover from the loss of my cats.

I attended my sister's wedding out of state last weekend. Over the course of the festivities, I spent time at my sister's house, where she has 3 cats and a dog. I spent time with two of her cats who seemed to take a liking to me. It was the most time I had spent with cats, since Ginger passed away last February. When I came home from the weekend, I found a cat's play ball behind my dresser in my bedroom. Finding this reminder of my cats made me sob with such an intensity, it was as if I had lost my cats only recently. Although I had enjoyed spending time with my sister's cats, it only made me realize once again that no other cats will ever take the place of mine. I just can't imagine ever bonding with cats again, the way I bonded with and loved mine. I know that many people adopt new pets very soon after losing their current ones. But, even though it has been over 1 1/2 years since losing Pavlov, and 10 months since losing Ginger, I feel that I will never love another cat the way I loved them. In some ways, it feels that I have not moved on with my life very well, since losing them.

Sandy

Sandy,your feelings are completely natural.It takes time to grief for the pets you loved and lost.You will be able to love other cats once you feel up to it.No cat will never take the place of the ones you had because cats are all so different in their personalities.Give yourself some more time and you will know when the time is right.Most likely a cat will find you when you least expect it.I know that is what happened to me.I lost my beloved cat Sox on Oct. 13th of this year and I thought I would never be ready to get another one but only weeks after his passing a neighbor's cat started showing up at my doorstep every night wanting to be fed and one thing led to another and before I even knew what happened she had made her way into my heart.We ended up adopting her from the neighbor (who didn't care too much for her anyway) and now she's a member of our family and I can honestly say that I love her.She will NEVER take the place of my boy Sox but I'm just the type of person who needs the love of a kitty in her life.I hope you will one day be able to open your heart to another kitty and that in time your heart will mend from the pain of losing two beloved cats within such a short time.Be easy on yourself,you'll know when it's right.Take care and I will put you in my prayers.Sincerely,Renee (Sox's mom)

Only you will know when the time is right to open your heart and home to another cat. And yes, they do seem to find a way to find you. I knew I wanted to get another cat but wanted to wait a while before I did... but for some reason I was on PetFinder.com and did a search for cats in my area that were in need of homes. Out of hundreds of cats the very first one in the search results found me.

There are other cats out there that are looking for you to love and give companionship to you...

Take your time, love other cats, and keep the memories of your babies in your heart and mind and never forget them...

Thank you Renee and Simba's Daddy for your words, support, and prayers. It is comforting to know that I can come to this site when needed, and find others who understand how I feel and are supportive.

Take care,

Sandy

Sandy,

I also believe that you will love again. Your sister's cats were probably just that, your sister's. When they become family members and furkids of yours, you will find that each one has something that makes him/her special. That helps the family bond to grow.

Take care,
Ken Albin

You most definitely will. I can just tell it is in you to do so. A new pet will seem awkward at first but as with any bond it takes a little time. Think of it this way...with your respect & love for those creatures, don't they deserve a good home like yours?

Sandy

I'm so sorry you lost your babies, it's so hard. Ten years ago I lost my best friend and kitty cat, Butch. He was 22, I got him when he was 8 months old and had him all those years. Just 5 weeks later my Alex cat followed him. He was 15. Yep 5 weeks , it was so hard. I really wanted to just join them.

My house was just too empty, I got a two kittens. No they were not my babies, and sometimes it was so hard, but they became my babies. No one will ever be Butch, that was a once in a lifetime relationship. We did develop a wonderful relationship, and I love my kids so much, so it is possible. One of the 'new' kittens, my little boy Moustache, died on Oct 23, 2006. He was 10. I'm hurting and grieving him so much.

So I KNOW you can love a cat or two (or more) again. If not, why would I be so sad now? It takes time for a relationship to develop, just look for what is special and wonderful about the new guy(s). It's there and that can be a great way to build the new relationship.

I don't know that you do 'recover' from the loss of something so special to you. Nothing is ever the same, nothing goes back to normal. I do think you learn how to live with the pain. Sometimes that takes quite a while. I think a new baby can, in fact, help with that. Wishing you all the best.

Thinking of you
Lori

Lori,you always know just the right thing to say.....your post was wonderful.You showed her thur your own experiences and pain that you can in fact love again even after losing a beloved pet.I know that it can happen too for it has happened to me.I had a kitty named Nosey when I was a young girl and I had him for 5 years until he died of feline leukemia.It was heartbreaking and I swore I would never get another cat because it hurt too bad to lose him but then I moved down here to Florida and I met my husband Rick and he bought me a kitty for my easter present.For all of you here that know me,that kitty was named Sox and he was my baby for 16 years until he was put to sleep on Oct. 13th.I wouldn't take a million dollars to give back the love he gave me for so many years.He was priceless and one of a kind but I know for a fact that I will love other kitties.I guess I'm just a cat person as they say and I am only happy when I have a kitty to love.My outdoor kitty Miss Mini has now become an indoor kitty at night and she has already worked her way into my heart.It will happen for her to but only when the time is right.You'll know when that time comes...Sincerely,Renee

Sandy,
I too, am sorry for the loss of your furkids. I is really hard to lose them so close together. I have had many losses in the last few years and each one changes you and your perspective.
No, you will never love other cats like the ones you lost. Is it possible to love another, I would think so if you give yourself a chance.
If someone looses a human child, they still love the ones the have and may have another that is loved in a different way. The same is for our furkids. There is always room in the heart for more love.
Does is take time for love to grow--yes I think so. Again just give yourself a chance to heal. Everyone is different and have their own coping skills and they go through the stages of grief at different paces.
I will miss all my babies for all eternity, and no other animal will replace them, but there is room for more and I can't imagine my house withouth the pitter patter of kitty and puppy feet, as much as it hurts to know I will someday lose them too.

Theresa

Sandy,
You will. It may take time, but you definitely will since you are a cat person! I adopted my newest one, Patches, just 33 days after Precious died. We were together almost 19 years, since he was 31 days old. It was so hard saying goodbye to him (he was 19 years 3 days old) and I could not endure the roaring silence and no cat to greet me when I came home from work each day. I think Precious sent Patches to me; Patches has so many of Precious' sweet qualities and ways. I love him, though not on the same level as Precious. He is definitely NOT a replacement, he is an addition. Precious' little brother, if you will!
Lisa