| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name
 | Date | Lines | 
|---|
| 4614.1 | My vote, older cat | SOLVIT::IVES |  | Tue May 07 1991 11:03 | 18 | 
|  |     I definately would go with an older cat. Older cats personality
    is already established and they are more layed back and not up
    to wrecking houses, and being pests to older kitties.
    
    I just wrote in a note that all three of mine were adopted at
    a later time in their lives.
    
     Miss Ming 7 year old Himmie
     Mr. Miyagi 6 year old Himmie
     Mocha was a youngster compared to the above he was 10 months
     but old for his age. Never did play and still doesn't.
    
     I love the older cats a lot, and have not been disappointed
     with their behavior.
    
     Barbara
    ps/ you are correct about older cats being harder to  place
     and the alternative is gruesome
 | 
| 4614.2 | Two is better than one ... | XNOGOV::LISA | Give quiche a chance | Tue May 07 1991 11:04 | 11 | 
|  |     Diana,
    
    When we Percy died, Pookie was very lonely so we got her a companion.
    He is an Aby and we got him as a kitten. Pookie loved the company but
    Rolf pestered her a lot so .... we got Rolf a playmate, Florence. Now
    they are one big happy family so my suggestion is get two kittens not
    one ;-)
    
    
    Lisa plus Pookie, Rolf and Florence.
    
 | 
| 4614.3 |  | JUPITR::KAGNO | I'm51%Pussycat,49%Bitch-Don'tPush it! | Tue May 07 1991 11:10 | 5 | 
|  |     Right, Lisa!  Sometimes bringing in a kitten with an older cat isn't
    the best option, because as you and Barbara said, kittens can make
    pests of themselves and really cheese off the older cats.  I vote for
    either two kittens or one older cat.
    
 | 
| 4614.4 | my experience | ICS::AREGO |  | Tue May 07 1991 14:45 | 27 | 
|  |     .0  I had the same problem a few years ago.  My older cat lost her
    faithful companion (a large German Shepherd).  Her crying was getting
    to me, so I thought another cat would help the both of us get through
    the grieving period.
    
         I went with two litter mate older kittens (6mos in age).  
    
    Well, .....I really thought there would be serious blood shed, by
    the way things were going.  The senior cat would attack the smaller
    of the two kittens, by knocking him down with her mouth on his throat.
    I nearly had a coronary!
    
    She totally resented having cats as her pets.  She wanted a dog.  So,
    I do now have a dog.  But, before my pup came along, she did calm down,
    sat in judgement of their leaps and bounds and would give me a full
    report for an hour or so when I would arrive home from work.  But,
    she was definitely less depressed!
    
    I never thought it would happen, but now they often (all 3) curl up
    together either on my bed or on a chair while watching TV.
    
    So, if you do decide on kittens I also vote for two.  At least they
    stick together for comfort if Alpha cat rejects them.
    
          Best of luck with your choice,
    
                       Carol
 | 
| 4614.5 |  | CRUISE::NDC | Putiput Scottish Folds DTN:297-2313 | Wed May 08 1991 07:47 | 5 | 
|  |     I agree with everyone so far.  My preference is for the older cat
    tho for exactly the reason that they're harder to place
    Let us know how you make out.
      Nancy DC
    
 | 
| 4614.6 |  | XCUSME::JENNISON | More Than Words | Wed May 08 1991 11:05 | 13 | 
|  |     
    
    	An older cat would be nice...I know just where to find 
    	one! I visited Kitty Angels in Tyngsboro last night!
    	I just wanted to say that I WISH I coul take them all
    	home! She has some beautiful babies! Oh my- Rose IS a 
    	Love ! So is Clyde! They all are! I definately recommend
    	this place!
    
    	Good Luck
    
    	SueJ and Alex
    	
 | 
| 4614.7 |  | CRUISE::NDC | Putiput Scottish Folds DTN:297-2313 | Thu May 09 1991 08:21 | 2 | 
|  |     Joan does good work!  Glad you were able to get a baby from her.
    
 | 
| 4614.8 |  | CSCMA::DOUGLAS |  | Thu May 09 1991 09:49 | 4 | 
|  |     
        uuuummm, I think you may be responding to something else...
      Only because I didn't speak with a Joan and I didn't get a new
      baby yet....BUT  I am going to hopefully get a new baby soon!!
 | 
| 4614.9 |  | SUBURB::THOMASH | The Devon Dumpling | Fri May 10 1991 07:56 | 9 | 
|  | 
	I'd go for an older cat - if you talk to the shelters about your 
	conerns about them getting along, couldn't you have one "on trail" for 
	a month, just to ensure they're OK.
	I'm sure the shelters would be happy to talk with you and suggest one
	of their "laid back" more mature moggies.
	Heather
	
 | 
| 4614.10 | Kitten or Cat? | CALS::BROWN |  | Fri May 10 1991 12:50 | 49 | 
|  |     	My good friend and neighbor was in a similar situation not too long
    	ago.  She had 2 cats, an older male, and a younger male.  They were
    	not close however, yet when the younger cat died (accident), the
    	older cat was lonely and drove my friend nuts by crying and
    	following her everywhere.  She decided she had to get a new friend
    	for her older now only male (he's 13) but didn't know which way to
    	go.  She really wanted a kitten, but only 1 as she wanted to main-
    	tain a 2 cat household.  We talked in great length about how her
    	older cat might react with a kitten as opposed to a full grown cat.
    	We even went to a shelter to see kittens.  I myself had a hard time
    	seeing all the beautiful cats and kittens - but I maintain a 3 cat
    	household and feed strays too.
    
    	My friend finally settled for another male who was a year old and
     	was loosing his home due to it's owner moving to Europe.  She also
    	inherited a female cat someone was threatening to throw in a river
    	if a home could not be found, then she took in a pregnant cat (but
    	found a good home for her).  So much for maintaining a 2 cat household.
    
    	Unless your present cat is hard to get along with, it might not
    	hurt his feelings to get a kitten if that what you want - only
    	you know your cat!  If you think his feelings would be hurt, may
    	be an older cat would be better.
    
    	I am currently feeding a very sweet male (all black) who is
    	obviously abandoned.  I love him already, but I can't take him
    	in as I am having a problem with one of my current cats and I
    	want to keep things as peaceful as possible.
    
    	The reason I suspect my stray black kitty was abandoned is because
    	he's been around for a couple of months.  Another neighbor of mine
    	had 2 cats in heat - so there were a few males hanging around.  His
    	cats are no longer in heat.... but a couple of the cats are still
    	around and I live in an area that produces a lot of strays.... or
    	basically homeless cats.  The black kitty was very sleek and not
    	thin, but even though I have been feeding him, he's not as well
    	kept as he was and he's coming around a lot more looking for food,
    	mostly early evening and nights - he sleeps under a house nearby
    	during the day because I've seen him coming and going.
    
    	Sorry I'm getting off the subject.... if anyone is partial to black
    	cats, they can call me (or leave a message) at 562-4739.
    
    	Good luck in your decision for a new addition to your family!
    
    	  Tracey
    	     &
               Tabatha, Tabar & Thomas!
    
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