At the Animal Shelter

[kybearfuzz]

There is no defined amount of time a person should wait to look for a new pet after the death of the previous one. It depends on the readiness of the person and one shouldn't rush into it, I think.

However, I've been feeling an emptiness in the house after the passing of Maggie the Cat a couple of weeks ago. I've been looking online at local shelters and saw a couple of possibilities, but I can't say I was ready to adopt one.

The county animal shelter is just down the hill from my house. After work today, I decided to visit the shelter and check out the two possibilities I had considered. One is a male orange tabby and the other was a female black cat. Ideally, I thought it would be nice to get them both.

I checked into the front desk and went to the cat area, a room with a line of comfy cages of cats. I arrived just in time to see a young couple filing the paperwork to adopt the orange male I'd considered. Good for him, I thought. Strangely, he was the only male cat available for adoption. The rest of the cats were female, strangely lethargic, and completely uninterested in vying for my attention.

I pet the orange male tabby as he was still in his cage and he scratched me. It was almost like he was saying, "Hands off! I'm taken!"

So I left the shelter cat-less, which is probably for the best right now. I went in the hopes of finding that cat that seemed to be a good match for me, but it didn't seem to happen.

It's okay, I'm patient.

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Do you like dogs? If so, perhaps considering a rescue would be a way of having a presence in the house without feeling like you're replacing your beloved feline friends.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'm not really a dog person. Dogs demand a specific regimen of care that I don't think is a fit for my work life.

[champdaddy.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear you are looking at possible new family members already -- it's the best advice I could give you.

While I'm handing out unsolicited advice, I'd like to plead the case for not declawing your cats. Won't belabor the point -- just that it's akin to chopping their fingers off and leaves them defenseless should they get outside. A scratching post can be really effective with most cats.

Good luck!

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with this. I think it's banned here and in Europe as it's considered cruel.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Both Maggie and Murphy were declawed, but I adopted them that way. I don't think I could take a cat to the vet and have that done.

[barak.livejournal.com]

Take your time. When you find your new furry friend, it'll be just right!

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Better to get the right cat for you. Two sounds like a nice idea as they would be company for each other whilst you are at work or on your travels.

[clintswan.livejournal.com]

*hug*

[dendren.livejournal.com]

I've always liked having 2 cats, it's nice when they have a buddy. I'm sure a cat or two will find you to their liking soon enough and adopt you as their human :)