Cassie seems happier

[Draco]

As some of you may know, I lost my boy Monet this past weekend.

I knew Cassie wouldn't care. She was never bonded with Monet. They've never groomed each other in the 14 years they were together, maybe a total of three times I caught them sleeping within inches of each other. Monet would pounce on her to play wrestle and she'd hiss and smack him in turn, she hated it. She would be cautious leaving the litter box because Monet would be waiting to pounce behind the door.

But wow, in just a few days she's letting her true self shine. She's more attached to me, staying in the same room, close to me. Where previously she'd spend time in the bedroom by herself. She's even become more playful, bouncing around after meals and I gave her a good play session just now; she was rarely playful in the past. She's like a new cat. She's 14.5 years old.

Now I am reconsidering adopting another cat in the future. It doesn't seem fair to her since she seems to be happier as the only cat. Though I selfishly want more to love. I also selfishly want to overlap them so my house would never be empty of a cat. Cassie had been amazing in helping me mourn and keeping me out of my funk, I'd want another cat to do the same in her future passing. Maybe the right cat she would be happy with? A calm quiet one? I don't know.

I did find a "Cat matchmaker" at a shelter. The employee there assured me the founder knows his cats well and their personalities, he can find a good fit for me and Cassie after he gets to know Cassie. He's also known to reject people's applications for a certain cat and suggest a different one to suit the needs and situation of the adopter. This feels like a good shelter to go to when I'm ready. I guess I will talk to him when I am ready and re-evaluate Cassie at that point.

But in the mean time, I am going to enjoy Cassie as herself. It'll be just the two of us for a while and she deserves to be the Queen of the house when Monet was the King. I am just impressed at the changes she's made in her confidence. And I am also happy she isn't grieving.

I am just rambling my musings and thoughts here.

 

[catloverfromwayback]

Cassie sounds like my late Maddie. I didn't know when I got her that she'd have been happier solo - I adopted her as company for my elderly Freya, who'd never been alone. But when Freya died I adopted Phoebe, who behaved to Maddie much the way Monet did to Cassie - always wanting to play, getting in her face, etc. If Maddie had been the survivor I don't think I'd have adopted another while she was alive.

 

[mani]

Draco this has happened with Nilah! She's not wildly active as she's in liver/renal failure, but she does seem so much happier. Like the Cassie and Monet dynamic, she really never forgave me for bringing Sundar home.. She was two at the time.
Now she follows me everywhere and wants a lot of cuddles. She purrs a lot more and generally seems happier in herself. We go for runs in the garden with me and loves to explore.

I had a phonecall from a friend saying that she had a relative who has just gone deeply into dementia and so into a home and her six year old Ragdoll desperately needs a new, loving home as she was very loved. I knew I couldn't do it to Nilah. I did realise though, if I had no cats, I would have been there to collect her.. something I didn't think I could even begin to consider after Sundar's passing.

 

[Draco]

I say she'd be the only cat for a while..

but a beautiful boy basically fell in my lap. Im going to check him out this evening to see if he'll be a good fit.

 

[neely]

I say she'd be the only cat for a while..
but a beautiful boy basically fell in my lap. Im going to check him out this evening to see if he'll be a good fit.

Best of luck! We'll be keeping our fingers and paws crossed for Cassie and you. Please keep us updated.