Can we fall in love again?

[B&B's mom]

B&B were my only cats, they totally captured me and owned my heart. Now that they're gone I don't know if I can ever love another cat  again.

 I can look and appreciates all cats out there , they are precious, those beautiful blue eyes  so gorgeous and mostly elegant, graceful and talks like real babies.

[SaffiandJasmin]

The grief is so real when you lose your pets and nothing can ever replace them. You will never forget your babies - each one is different, lovely and irreplaceable, but in some ways, to want to love another fur baby is one of the biggest compliments you can pay your lovely cats. It shows how much you loved them AND how much love you felt FROM them.

The loss you feel is very raw at the moment, but maybe the time will come when you again feel able to give another little one your love and be loved back. I have never forgotten my other cats at the bridge - they are still my 'lovely girls' and I can still visualise them doing things and still often talk about them, and the girls I have here now also have my love.

All are special.... and fur babies need special mums to look after them. I'm sure one day you will be a 'fur baby special mum' again, but you will also always have your other lovely cats in your heart. Xxxx

[Ann]

What a lovely post Lesley and all of it so true.

From my own experience, we all have an extra special pet, mine was a half Siamese cat called Alexander and to this day I still get misty eyed when I talk about him. Yours will be Belle and Beauty. It doesn't stop us from being able to love subsequent pets though. Each cat has his or her own very individual personality. The Boys were very different from each other and from Alexander. Without The Boys, my life would have been very much the poorer and I wouldn't have missed having them here for worlds. Kotio, my long term lodger, is different again from all three and I love him to bits. You'll find there's plenty of space left in our hearts for all of them.

What I've observed over the years is that all of us have different periods of mourning. Some people derive great comfort from replacing a much loved pet immediately, others need more time. It takes me a good 6 months before I begin to feel "broody", for some that would be an eternity, for others not long enough. Like our pets, we're all different, so don't let any well meaning friends talk you into doing, or not doing, anything against your better judgement. Only you will know the "right" time.

[B&B's mom]

Hi Lesly, Ann, your posts so lovely, inspiring and encouraging. Reading your stories about your babies give me some knowledge and understanding what you've been through. I am so glad that I can talk to you about this matter coz you are like me, we love cats and all animals. Some people would just laugh at me grieving and talking my loss of my two furbabies. You know exactly the words that I wanted to hear and read...thank you very much.

Hugs to you and your babies....

[Vicki]

Yes you can. In the past I have usually waited just a few months to adopt new kitties after loved ones died. This time it was six months. After Gracie died, I wasn't sure I wanted another cat for many reasons including the fact that I knew I would be relocating thousands of miles away to a new city and if I did want another it would be better to wait until I got settled in my new place.

When I did decide I wanted another cat, the fear that always came upon me in these situations entered my mind, "Would I love my new kitty and would she love me?"

It's difficult to say but I will tell you this. I have loved all my kitties I have adopted over the years in different ways. I admit, I have loved some more than others but I have loved them all. No one will ever replace the love of my heart, Heidi, my first meezer, but I have loved all my kitties if not equally still strongly.

I took a real chance with Roxie because i didn't choose her in person. I got her over the Internet from another state. I did get a full report regarding her personality and pictures but I wasn't able to touch her or look her in the eye until after she arrived at my place. It wasn't love at first sight but then it always takes time to get to know your kitty. I knew I liked her right away though.

As time goes by we are really getting to know one another. She is a nice cat and I am so glad I have her. No, she isn't Heidi, or Amanda or Gracie who were my favorites although I have had others who were great cats too. Those three were special. But Roxie is well on her way to being special.

I think the cat you adopt will be special too. Take your time. You will feel it when the time is right.

[B&B's mom]

I love reading beautiful stories about your cats (Ann, Lesly as well}, how much you loved them {cats in heaven) and it's possible loving a new cat again. Every time I read stories like these it helps me a lot...I know that you guys are very good with cats, very knowledgeable and most well experienced. Time heals and hope to smile again soon just missing my girls so much.

Thank you Vicki, I appreciate it very much...hugs to you and Roxie.