Conference misery::feline_v1

    I too had a Benjamin (Siamese) who lived for 21 years of age.  He was
    very talkative - quite loud and a dear dear love.  We didn't get
    another cat for him - but a puppy.  Benjamin promptly went over to the
    box and scratched Sasha's (what we eventually named her) nose, to the
    point where he drew blood.  Then, retreated to the basement for a week.
    I guess it was Benji's way of telling the puppy that this was HIS
    house.
    
    Throught the years they became the best of friends and even slept 
    together on cold nights.  
    
    Benjamin did NOT get any less talkative nor did his "voice" soften.
    We just got used to it!
    
    Whatever decision you make - the best of luck to you!
    
    Marilyn and Otis
    

    Our newest arrival, Taja, lived in a foster home for a few weeks prior
    to joining us.  There were no other animals in the foster home, only
    one human and Taja was all over him like a flea every night when he got
    home, sat on his lap on the couch, slept with him, etc.  Naturally, we
    expected him to be the same way when we adopted him.
    
    Wrong!  He's a love, but once he realized he had other cats to play
    with, cat trees to climb on, cat beds to sleep in, etc., he became more
    independent of us humans.  He sits on our laps occasionally and has
    slept with us the last two nights but we cannot always guarantee
    exactly what he is going to do at all times.  I have usually found that
    having multiple cats makes them less dependent on humans and more
    dependent on each other.  This is just my experience, though, not a
    general rule.
    

    In the same situation I would choose a female just a little younger.
    It helps when they have someone to play with and keep company with.
    When I found Chuckie Cheese last year he was rather an odd one out
    in the household.  He was under 1 year and my other 2, 10 years old
    and counting.  The relationship between Chuckie and Miss Moffet 
    is hardly love at first site but is affection at least.  Chuckie follows
    Moffet around untill she bats him on the head.  They both benefit
    from the relationship--she's much more active than before and Chuckie
    more relaxed.

    My half Siamese, Jessica, was much louder and more pushy before
    we brought a kitten into the house.  Having someone else to
    boss around and play with has quieted her down considerably.
    She'll still sqwak at times, but seldom when the little one
    is around.  
    
    If I had it to do again, tho', I'd adopt an older female as
    company for Jessica.  Not because I think she and Jessica
    would get along better, but because after raising 7 or 8 
    kittens over the years, I'm not sure my furniture and my 
    patience could handle more (let alone my husband!).  Also,
    two cats are not really much more work than one.  Good luck.
    
    Laura, Jessica & Alexander
    another

    With seven furfaces...I'm sure you will know what my answer is
    regarding whether Benjamnin needs a buddy.  But I would like
    to caution you that since you live with your roomates...and they
    only tolerate Benjammin....I would make sure they would tolerate 
    another cat before I brought one home.
    
    But...there is nothing nicer then seeing two furfaces become
    life time buddies.  I love when they wash each other and sleep
    entwined in each other arms.
    
    Sandy
    
    

    
    Thanks all for your advice.  
    
    As for how my roommates would take it, well.. I'd have to be
    able to sell it as "It will help Benjamin to calm down".  
    Otherwise, they wouldn't go for it.  I would definitely not
    do it without their total agreement.
    
    dm