Why Me?

Three years ago I lost my very precious Mini to feline leukemia. She had it when I found her and I took the best care of her I could. She lived to be 4 years old. After she passed I got a new cat Oscar. Oscar has just been diagnosed with lymphoma. My heart is broken. I plan on taking good care of him and giving him the best life possible. I am just in shock. It feels like the world is against me having cats. I am a cat lover, have always been able to bond with cats easily and my family refers to me as a cat whisperer because I can make friends with even the meanest cats. It seems like it’s stacked against me to have my own cat though.

I think the world is not against you having cats for that matter.

What your family said could be true as they refer you as a cat whisperer in that sense so that Mini and Oscar could be under the best of your care. You are one who understand what they go through and you are one that will give them all the love and time where if these two cats are to fall into someone else's hands, things might not be the same for them.

So it's not stacked against you to have your own cats but you are meant to be there for Mini and Oscar and they need you

I agree, you were chosen to give what you could for these precious little ones because you ARE so understanding of cats. You may have been drawn to these two because subconsciously you knew they needed you. Cats, just like people have a multitude of diseases and problems. I agree that the chances of getting two cats that have something like this is so very small it is almost unheard of, that is why I think you were drawn to their needs. The future will bring a difference, because you are a good person and deserve a break.
Get two so that the chances are even less. I say this because there are thousands of cats out there right now that have undiagnosed problems. The chances would be even less that two would have something major. You happen to be vigilant and catch things early, which is good. Most cat owners just cruise through life with their cats without ever knowing there are problems. you will never be one of those.....
Oscar is where he wants to be and is loved, that can never be wrong. You will be blessed for caring for these little ones who need you so very much, and I will pray you will be rewarded with a happy life in the future. You are not alone, we will be there for you when you need us. Please keep us posted and kiss that sweet boy for me!

The world is not against you. These two little ones both have or have had something that is unfortunately common with cats. Your cat with Leukemia lived four years that is a real accomplishment, something that I am sure was due to your care. Lymphoma is the most common cancer in cats and I am sure you will give this cat the same above and beyond care. I agree that I am sure there are cats that pass away without ever having vet care even if they are in a home, their people just shrug it off and go on.

I have to agree with everyone else. The world is not against you to have cats. The universe and these cats know that you are their best chance at a great life! It's hard to have your kitties pass too soon or get sick. But as hard as it is for you, know that because of you, these kitties had/have love, care and a quality life that only special people, like you, can provide.
It takes a strong, caring, understanding, trustworthy, (add more compliments here..), person to gain love and respect from a cat and be a "cat whisperer".
Unfortunately, sometimes, it means our hearts break a little bit because we selflessly gave ourselves to kitty who instinctively knew we were their person, who knew they could trust us with their lives.
If anything, as much as your heart hurts, take comfort in the fact that without you, this precious little creature may not get the love and compassion it deserves.

What a coincidence, at one time I had two kittens also named Mini & Oscar.
I echo all the above members' posts that the world is not against you. I feel that in my heart you will take the best possible care of Oscar and love him for as long as he is with you. Try not to dwell on what could happen but live in the now. I understand that's easier said than done but Oscar belongs with you and has found his forever home. Sending special thoughts to you and your boy.

I used to ask that same question after we kept losing our beloved fur babies way too soon to cancer and other serious illnesses. Thus far, in the 30+ years we've had pets, not one of them has passed peacefully in their sleep from old age.

However, after a while, I came to believe it was fate, and I found great comfort in that. It's like our cats had kitty guardian angels that knew what was to come, and led them to us because they'd be loved and cared for for however many days they had left on this earth.

Yes, our hearts have been broken over and over, and it hurt so much when it was time for them to cross the rainbow bridge. But the joy of each moment we had with our beloved kitties far outweighed the pain of loss. So we keep opening our hearts and our home to cats that seem to need us.

I hope you find the comfort you seek, and in knowing that you have a gift for being able to love and care for cats when they need it the most. Bless you, and I wish all the best for you and Oscar.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement, as I look back on my life I have always had cats around me, I grew up on a small farm. But I can only claim 3 as my own. My first cat came to me when I was five years old, just as I was starting school and my anxiety was starting to show it's ugly face. That cat helped me through a child hood filled with emotional abuse at home and being bullied at school. He was my best friend and lived 19 years. My husband met him once when he came to pick me up for our first date. He died a week later. Looking back maybe he knew it was ok to leave, that I had met someone who would love me the way I needed to be loved. Mini showed up one day in my mom's backyard, about a year after my dad was diagnosed with cancer. She was a tiny little thing and scrawny. I asked my the farmer neighbor about her as she was contently purring in my arms and he told me he was getting to shoot them all and start over because they were all looking sickly. I took Mini home with me that day. When I took her to the vet she had fleas ,worms and feline leukemia. But she wasn't sick, just skinny from the worms. I loved on her and she back on me, helping me with the stress of being sold caregiver for my dad. A year after my dad passed away I wasn't healing mentally from loosing him. She passed away on the second anniversary of my dad's passing. It put me over the edge and long story short I ended up spending two weeks in a mental hospital on suicide watch. Part of my treatment was to find ways to get more involved with things. I decided to volunteer at the humane society. The first day there I was drawn to Oscar, he looked so much like the cat I had growing up. The other volunteers warned me that he was a biter, he hated everybody and he had 3 failed adoptions to prove it. Yet I had to meet him. I opened up his cage and he leaped I my arms and started purring. Needless to say he came home with me that day. Oscar was so curious and naughty I decided to start leash training him so he could have some outdoor stimulation. He loved it so much I decided to take him in the woods. Soon I was taking him on full blown hikes... something I hadn't done since loosing my dad. Oscar brought me out of my depression and my mental health is at its best right now. He brought back my joy and he became brave, and not afraid of people anymore. I recently started taking him to nursing homes to be a therapy cat, he has overcome the hurt from other humans and started to trust again. His life might be cut short, but he will be loved and taken care of because we rescued each other.

adventuregirl said:

His life might be cut short, but he will be loved and taken care of because we rescued each other.

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I'm so glad the two of you bonded together.

My sweet boy snuggling with me in the hammock while on a hiking trip.

Bless you, and your lovely kitty too. Sending prayers. These are the hardest times, but we all are here for you. I'm so sorry. <3

I felt the same way, after two of my kitties passed in two years (way too young). But, I still managed to get back on my feet and adopted my Theo. I don't know how long we'll have together but I pray it's a long old time.
The world is not against you.

He just so tired, he can hardly stand up. I’m not sure if he’s eating. He’s never been food motivated, so trying to entice him with something yummy won’t work. He’s declining so fast. I opted to not do chemo for him, because he hates the vet so much. Not like normal cat hating the vet and being timid and shy....he turns into a full blown monster. Going to have treatment every week would just be to hard on him. He’s so quiet, my loudmouth boy isn’t making a sound....my curious boy who is constantly checking everything out is just lying in his favorite spot. How could he have been hiking two weeks ago with me and now he can’t even stand. I know cats hide things well, but he wasn’t sick and now he’s wasting away. With Mini it was a slow decline that I saw gradually happening. Oscar is literately dying before my eyes. It’s so sad. I wasn’t ready for this.

Please hang in there.

There is a reason why you are have been chosen to be the carer of these cats, and it is obvious why. You have the heart to care, love, nurture and provide them with the best life that they possibly can have, even if those precious life would be short-lived. So, when the time comes for your cat to leave this earth, your sweet boy will carry only the beautiful memories you have shared with him. Your heart may have been broken before, and again now, but you will rise above this and continue with your quest in helping any cats that come your way - because it is in your nature.

Be strong. Make the best of everyday for your sweet boy Oscar.

You gave Mini and Oscar wonderful lives.

Mini was about to be shot.

Oscar had been returned by 3 families and the shelter workers were now discouraging his adoption.

You stepped up.

"Why me?" you ask.

Ask Oscar. He knows why. He had rejected 3 families, but lept into your arms and began to purr the very first time you met.

"Cat whisperer"?........... perhaps, but most certainly a "cat angel".

Well done.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and kind words. Oscar took a turn for the worse overnight. He has always enjoyed life and he is so sick he can't. If he were the type of cat that liked to be lazy and lie around I would say let's keep fighting the fight. But Oscar is naughty, adventurous and curious and all he can do is sleep. I ultimately have decided to take him to the vet to be euthanized. He doesn't deserve to spend his last days miserable.

adventuregirl said:

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and kind words. Oscar took a turn for the worse overnight. He has always enjoyed life and he is so sick he can't. If he were the type of cat that liked to be lazy and lie around I would say let's keep fighting the fight. But Oscar is naughty, adventurous and curious and all he can do is sleep. I ultimately have decided to take him to the vet to be euthanized. He doesn't deserve to spend his last days miserable.

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I'm sorry this is happening to Oscar, but you are doing good things by taking care of these Cats that would otherwise have had their lives cut short. You already know Mini would have been killed if you hadn't found her, and Oscar would likely have been euthanized for being aggressive to people and being a biter.

Will your vet make a housecall instead of having to take him in? I'm sure he would be much more at ease that way.

Talien said:

Will your vet make a housecall instead of having to take him in? I'm sure he would be much more at ease that way.

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I don't think they do that. I think Im going to skip using the carrier though, that's half the anxiety right there he doesn't like to feel like he's in a cage. He does great on a leash so I think I'll do that.

Blessings to you <3 Stay strong

*Big hugs* I'm so sorry you've having to go through this with your little one. I too agree with the others that they kitties found exactly who they needed, and who needed them, for the time they had in the world. These were perfect matches.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

*kisses to you and Oscar*