Gato has always been Mr independent...Since Moose died, it took a couple of weeks for Gato to realize he was gone, he started calling and looking for him. This last week he has been sleeping right up by my pillow (not his style) I found him sleeping with mooses ash box in the cedar chest. Well I was gone a few hours yesterday, when I got home he was very upset, meowing non stop wanted to be held, had to be on my lap no matter what I was doing. I'm concerned for him when I go back to work he has become pretty insecure little guy lately..now that I think of it, so have I. so it would make sence he is picking up on it. Should I get him another cat, so he isnt alone? Or should I just shower him with love since this is the first time in his 15yrs he has been the only furbaby. Any thoughts on the last surviving pets, I can sure see they feel a loss, how can I help him cope? Thanks Pamela

I am SO happy that Gato has bonded with you and you have both found strength through each other. I know someone here that owns furkitties will be able to give you much advice, but I still thought I would share my experiences right now with my furpuppy.

After Rachael passed, our little 3 year old boy seemed lost and lonely. After a few weeks, he seemed his good old playful, happy self again. But he seems to be on our heels much more constantly. Poor boy, he wants us to play with him. Our neighbor has a Beagle. I find it so sad when I go outside to get him, and he is quietly just sitting there at the end of the fence, just starring at the other dog. So, we have gotten another little fur daughter and fur sister for him to play with. Like Gato, he has always had another furry companion around to play with and keep him company. With Danny, we knew he wanted another companion.

However, I know furkitties are more independent (or so I hear), so I don't know how quickly they adjust to a new furkitty in their home. But you are such a caring and kind person to notice Gato's loneliness and want to help him.

Cheri

Thats a tough one....but I know how you feel. My oldest cat LeStat is older also and had spent his entire life with Kasha. I worry about him all the time. As for another cat coming into the house, It really depends on Gato and how much he likes sharing his territory. My cats have never received new house mates with grace and we had a loooooooong adjustment peroid when Riley (my kitten) came home to stay. They were MAD at me....I've never seen a look like that on an animal before...they glared at me like I had betrayed them and boy did I feel guilty! However, once the adjustment happened everything was alright. It never went back to normal but at least there was peace and happiness in my house again. Anyway, moral of the story is that a new friend for Gato may be what he needs but be prepared for a bit of a battle until he realizes it.

Kristie

Hi Pamela,
It is hard to say if Gato would like another member of the family added but even more important would be if you are ready to love another fur baby. I also wanted to say that when my daughter took another kitten into her home there was an all out war that made everyone so miserable.

Her other Kitties, Amber included hated it and soon they all started going pee pee all over the house. Oh Pamela it was a mess they peed on the kitchen counters, in the tub, the floor, the stove, my grand daughters bed, on clean clothes. The house stunk and there was pee every where, when it got on the clothes even though they were washed the smell was still in them for a while. My daughter kept the kitten for a long time thinking they just needed time to adjust but it never happened. Two months later they all kept on peeing and fighting, their personalities changed and it was horrible.

I am not trying to talk you out of doing anything you might want to do but I just want you to know the risk involved in bringing in another cat. Luckly when my daugher gave away the kitten within a week her babies no longer went pee pee every where. They became the loving sweethearts they once were.

We just never know if our babies will adjust to others or not I think if I was going to get another one I would take Gato with me to see how they acted towards one another. When I keep my grand baby kitty cats and fur dogs I only keep the ones together who get along and love each other. I don't want an all out war in my home.
Love, Ann

My vote is to shower him with love. Let him see what it's like being the centre of attention - hold him, cuddle, watch tv with him on your lap, do everything you think that the two of you need to comfort each other.

Try some new toys, leaving the tv on, etc - to distract him from feeing so alone when you are out.

We're going through the same issue at our house with Stormy, who had spent every day of her eleven years with us having Misty for a big "sister." Stormy is really showing the same kind of signs as Gato Manx; being underfoot almost continuously, very needy for attention, wanting to be in laps at times/places she never did before, sleeping in the same place (the very last place Misty was in the house). I take her behavior as an indication of just how drastically her life has changed, and from my perspective, I understand, sympathize, and do everything I can to comfort and reassure her, with lap time and petting as she desires. Other family members aren't being quite as understanding, and find her need for attention a little excessive. We've talked about getting another cat/kitten, but have decided that neither we nor Stormy are really ready for it. I'm enjoying the extra closeness between Stormy and me because, despite best intentions to be close to both of them, Misty was always my favorite. Maybe this is just the time Stormy and I need to bond a little more closely, and another housemate may come when the time is right.