On Sun, 20 Jul 2014 00:29:43 -0400, "Jean B." > wrote:

>jmcquown wrote:
>> On 7/18/2014 1:40 PM, Gary wrote:
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>>>> Sorry to hear the sad news. You need to get a new cat as soon as
>>>>> possible, preferably two or more kittens from the same litter, there
>>>>> are plenty to adopt.
>>>>
>>>> You are callous ! Most people cannot shrug off a beloved pet like
>>>> that - as I have endlessly said, I feel so sympathetic for your wife.
>>>> Will you replace her like that ?
>>>
>>> Not callous at all. Lose a beloved pet? Get a new one pronto and make
>>> their life a better one. No need to sit in the house crying about a
>>> loss and staying sad.
>>
>> It depends on the person. It might be fine for some people to rush out
>> and bring home another pet. Others need time to process. Until Persia
>> barged into my life after my dog of 18 years died, I *never* planned to
>> get another pet. She pretty much insisted, though.
>>
>> Then too, you never know if there are circumstances that might prevent
>> someone from getting another pet. Finances, health issues, etc. When
>> the time is right, someone who wants another pet will adopt one. Or be
>> adopted by one.
>
>
>Age is one of those et ceteras I think.

True. I have neighbors who lost their dog of 18 years last winter,
they are at a loss deciding to get another dog because they are 75
years old. I had to make the same decision adopting the two barn
kittens, but I know my grands would take them. My other four are over
12 years old. I informed my neighbors that there are plenty of older
dogs that need homes, they're still contemplating but I don't bring up
the subject anymore. Having the kittens is good for my older cats,
keeps them active and alert, the Vet agreed it was a good thing. They
keep me more alert and active too... having only older cats it's easy
to forget what a bundle of energy a kitten is. I've always
recommended people to get at least two cats, all have thanked me and
said I was right. There's really no more effort in caring for two as
one, and in fact it's easier, they entertain each other constantly so
you don't have to... they also become much more socialized than a
loner cat. And with more than one you never need to feel guilty about
not letting them out, they have each others company and they don't
need to go out for cat company. Cats are really very social animals,
morso than dogs. I think cats are also smarter, dogs need to be
trained, cats are borne knowing... I've never needed to house break a
cat... even the barn cats use the litter box I put there. Cats keep
themselves scrupulously clean because they are hunters so don't want
to have a scent, also as a defence against preditors locating them