New Kitten - Time to Replace Dr. Foofer?

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In summary: One of which is 10 years old and the other is around 5 years old.In summary, the author is thinking about getting another cat and is concerned about whether the new cat will be able to get along with their current dog. They also mention that cats can be very effective at filling the void when a dog dies.

Should I get a cat?

  • Cats are so wonderful, do it

    Votes: 16 55.2%
  • litterboxes, are you nuts?

    Votes: 4 13.8%
  • your dog deserves a friend

    Votes: 12 41.4%

  • Total voters
    29
  • #1
Evo
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It's been awhile since my cat, Dr Foofer, passed away. He was my dog's best friend and confidant. Ok, he was my dog's love slave, but let's try to forget that.

I'm wondering if I should get him another cat. I want to get a young one so that I can make sure that the cat accepts the dog. The cat will have to be able to tolerate tons of affection from the dog.

I just don't know if I want to do the litter box thing again.

What do you think?
 
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  • #2
I think the litter box is wretched and the source of all evil in the universe. I took in a pregnant stray once and took care of her and the litter for a while. I'm sure cleaning up after one kitty is not as bad as five, though. I really would like to have a kitty, and I've looked into other alternatives for the litter box like the self cleaning one and also the kitty toilet, but the reality is, you'll still have to clean that thing, so I never got a kitty...I just can't get past the litter box.
 
  • #3
Kittens are very effective at filling the void.
 
  • #4
Litter box, $hitter box. My 10-year-old Kitty, a year now with breast cancer, is part of my indoor routine, rain, snow or gloom of night. Just think of the exploring as archeological digs.

What size is your dog; that is, how much does he weigh? It seems that kittens are the most adaptive, yet most vulnerable, companion for another animal. (Think of Koko the gorilla with her kitten, All-Ball.)

I wonder for myself, what next? One or two and what age cat(s)? Meanwhile, Kitty is still her gracious, annoying self and may likely outlive me.

Evo, does your dog eat up the extra attention, or does he have a glimmer of loneliness?
 
  • #5
Borek said:
Kittens are very effective at filling the void.
:smile::smile::smile:
Loren Booda said:
Litter box, $hitter box.
:smile: literally!
Loren Booda said:
Just think of the exploring as archeological digs
*faints*
 
  • #6
Loren Booda said:
Litter box, $hitter box. My 10-year-old Kitty, a year now with breast cancer, is part of my indoor routine, rain, snow or gloom of night. Just think of the exploring as archeological digs.
Actually I have thought of it that way. :redface:

What size is your dog; that is, how much does he weigh?
He's barely 9 pounds. My cat was bigger than he was. That's why I am thinking a litten or very young cat my be the best. A full grown cat might hurt him if they don't take to the affection.

I wonder for myself, what next? One or two and what age cat(s)? Meanwhile, Kitty is still her gracious, annoying self and may likely outlive me.
I hope the best for your kitty loren.

Evo, does your dog eat up the extra attention, or does he have a glimmer of loneliness?
I can't give him the attention and exercize he needs, he was joined at the hip to my cat. I remember when I moved, my dog moved in first, and it was 3 days until my cat moved. When I came home with the cat my dog went from sullen and lethargic to boucing up and down. He really missed his cat.
 
  • #7
I'd have to vote for:

Cats are so wonderful, do it - litterboxes, are you nuts? - your dog deserves a friend

In other words, all of the above. Nothing nice comes without a price, but it's worth it. Both you and your dog deserve a nice little friend :smile:.
 
  • #8
Right after turning 4-years-old, my parents bought me a baby chick dyed blue for Easter. I was so proud of that baby chick, I had to show it off to every person on the farm. It got to the point they started to dread the sight of me headed their way. They'd turn away and walk off to do something important as soon as they saw me.

So then I had to start showing my baby chick off to all the farm animals. The cat was the only one that seemed excited. I still haven't gotten over the trauma of having my baby blue chick eaten alive right in the palm of my hand.

It was kind of traumatic for my mom, too. I was upset and a little incoherent when I ran into the house, so all she saw was a screaming 4-year-old with a hand drenched in blood. I think she was a little puzzled at first to wash all of the blood off and not be able to find even a scratch.

So, I'd vote for "Time to buy the dog a new happy meal" if it were an option.
 
  • #9
I concur with lisab.

We share our lives with two cats and dog, down from 3 cats and dog.
 
  • #10
Very traumatic BobG.
 
  • #11
I voted for your dog deserves a friend. My aunt had a dog that lived to a very old age. It was blind and arthritic. Her two cats took over the job of caring for him. Mostly that means they washed him and kept company with him. And just like cats, they forgot he ever existed once he died.
 
  • #12
Friends need friends too.
 
  • #13
I would vote for "your dog needs a new slave"; I voted for "he deserves a new friend" :biggrin:
 
  • #14
rootX said:
I would vote for "your dog needs a new slave"; I voted for "he deserves a new friend" :biggrin:

good vote, but I think you have the slave thing turned around. :smile:
 
  • #15
BobG said:
Right after turning 4-years-old, my parents bought me a baby chick dyed blue for Easter. I was so proud of that baby chick, I had to show it off to every person on the farm. It got to the point they started to dread the sight of me headed their way. They'd turn away and walk off to do something important as soon as they saw me.

So then I had to start showing my baby chick off to all the farm animals. The cat was the only one that seemed excited. I still haven't gotten over the trauma of having my baby blue chick eaten alive right in the palm of my hand.
:cry: :cry:

No more sad. :cry:
 
  • #16
If your heart is ready, Evo, then give the Fruitbat and you a bit of warmth. Kitties always bring the happiness.
 
  • #17
Once you start down this path, it's hard to stop. Next thing you know, you'll catch a rat with a crack pipe and all four of you will be raising money to send the poor rat to the Betty Ford Clinic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YzuHuBLT7k
 
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  • #18
Awww, that's sweet.
 
  • #19
Evo said:
he was my dog's love slave

On first reading, I think I took that a bit differently to what was intended. :rolleyes:

At least I'm hoping I got it wrong... :bugeye:
 
  • #20
Evo said:
It's been awhile since my cat, Dr Foofer, passed away. He was my dog's best friend and confidant. Ok, he was my dog's love slave, but let's try to forget that.

I'm wondering if I should get him another cat. I want to get a young one so that I can make sure that the cat accepts the dog. The cat will have to be able to tolerate tons of affection from the dog.

I just don't know if I want to do the litter box thing again.

What do you think?

I'd say go for it. This pic was posted on a local animal shelter's facebook page. These 3 cuties are up for adoption. I wish the three get adopted into the same home :biggrin:
 

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  • #21
jarednjames said:
On first reading, I think I took that a bit differently to what was intended. :rolleyes:

At least I'm hoping I got it wrong... :bugeye:
No, it's probably what you thought. :redface:
 
  • #22
Reshma said:
I'd say go for it. This pic was posted on a local animal shelter's facebook page. These 3 cuties are up for adoption. I wish the three get adopted into the same home :biggrin:
Awww, they have mohawks.
 
  • #23
My friend's girlfriend just got a kitten. He's ultra-cute. Like, beyond normal cat parameters. His name is Remy which was originally short for "Remus." But now it's short for "Remington Steele Junior Bacon Cheeseburger Deluxe."

Anyway, he likes to sit inside of people's jackets and poke his head out.

I've never had a cat, but I've had a few living in my house from time to time. The good ones are awesome, but the bad ones are worse than bird flu.
 
  • #24
FlexGunship said:
My friend's girlfriend just got a kitten. He's ultra-cute. Like, beyond normal cat parameters. His name is Remy which was originally short for "Remus." But now it's short for "Remington Steele Junior Bacon Cheeseburger Deluxe."
The best cats have many names. :approve:

I've been thinking of other things like

drapes
blinds
furniture
clothing

All of which are currently unshredded. I am opposed to getting claws removed, so I guess I could get Foofer's favorite chair out of the garage and put it in the living room in hopes that the new kitty will love it as much as foofer did. I can remove the drapes and pull up the blinds. I can resign myself again to all of my clothes having pulled threads.

Even with all of the drawbacks, cats just give so much love and happiness.

My happiest time was when a stray I took in had 6 kittens and they all went into anti gravity mode at the same time. It was like living with the Flying Wallendas. I'd be sitting at the computer and suddenly 3 kittens would come flying across my monitor, the other three would be attaching themselves to my calves and thighs. Good times. :!)
 
  • #25
Why not a small-breed puppy? Fruitbat can train him WRT the bathroom thing and you can let them out at the same time. No litter-box.
 
  • #26
Evo said:
My happiest time was when a stray I took in had 6 kittens and they all went into anti gravity mode at the same time. It was like living with the Flying Wallendas. I'd be sitting at the computer and suddenly 3 kittens would come flying across my monitor, the other three would be attaching themselves to my calves and thighs. Good times. :!)

Awwww...

A friend took in a stray male cat once, and it became a guard cat. Very funny. His name was Vladimir, and he could knock the snot out of a pretty good sized dog.

There's a stray not too far from my place, but I don't think I can take him in. He's friendly sometimes and very aggressive other times. I'm concerned that he may never have been in a home before and that trying to "tame" him might not be good for either of us.
 
  • #27
FlexGunship said:
I'm concerned that he may never have been in a home before and that trying to "tame" him might not be good for either of us.

You can't "tame" cat. At best it can allow you to think it is tamed.

It is just like thinking "I own a cat". Gimme a break.
 
  • #28
We went through the same thing as you about two years ago. Cat died, got a new tiny kitten, smaller than some of the rats that our Dalmatian mix has killed. The kitten was barricaded in a bedroom via a window screen for about a week, the dog and kitten got to know each other across the screen, and became best friends -- they play fake wrestling and mock lion kill games. The kitten, now a cat, and dog seem to play in a very carefully orchestrated way, apparently to avoid seriously irritating or hurting the other, fun to watch.

OF
 
  • #29
Can I help you kitty shop?
 
  • #30
Math Is Hard said:
Can I help you kitty shop?
Yes, you must!
 
  • #32
I would have frozen to death last night if the cat had not burrowed under the covers and kept me warm. I need at least two more to survive the winter.
 
  • #33
Math Is Hard said:
I would have frozen to death last night if the cat had not burrowed under the covers and kept me warm. I need at least two more to survive the winter.

For me, I think Gizmo'll do it! :biggrin:


Sure Evo, go for the cat.
 
  • #34
Evo,

You know me by now, outside of the box thinker, instead of a kitten and all the attention and litter box accidents, how about a full grown, say one year old cat, like the http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-breeds/~/media/All%20PHZ%20Images/Article%20images/183Ragdollcatseal.ashx" breed, very loving, they sit in your lap endlessly and the only downside I can see is they require brushing of their soft long fur. A co-worker has one with a high strung border collie and absolutely no behavior issues whatsoever. I have a Siamese, Luna, about 2.5 years old now, and she is a member of the family, sits at the dinner table and waits and watches patiently for whatever cat appropriate scraps come her way without meowing to be a pest. Just a thought. BTW. Happy Thanksgiving.

Rhody... :smile:
 
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