Need some tough love

[posiepurrs]

All of my cats are getting old. The youngest by far is Sterling who will 7 this September. Last month we lost Tabitha ( brown tabby pet) and our old Shetland sheepdog within 3 days. Our other dog is 6. We now have the money to get another cat or dog. However, even though I have MAJOR kitten fever and miss our sheltie terribly, I am of the mind we are too old. I would give anything to have a kitten to show again. Please help talk me out of it!!

 

[VAMama]

How many times have we seen adoptions go badly when it started with "I wanted a cat to give me..." The human has an unmet need the cat is supposed to fill, so the cat is whisked away to a strange house on the condition of playing an assigned role. Poor cat thinks it's been given a loving forever home where it can thrive, only to discover it's there to perform. Each living being has its own life to live.

 

[Jem]

I'm so sorry for the losses of your babies...

I'm going to be a bit bold here, so I apologize, but....If you feel like getting a kitten is the wrong thing to do because it would probably outlive you and you are of the belief that it is not fair to the kitten to do it and have to have it rehomed in the end....then you already have your answer.
However, there are so many other ways that you can help curb your kitten fever...perhaps get involved with a local shelter and take in a foster momma and her babies until they are ready to be adopted out?

I'll also preface this saying that I know NOTHING about the ins and outs of showing and what can happen "behind the scenes"...
Do you still show some of your other kitties? I ask because you mention wanting the kitten to show...
If your kitten fever is because you want a new show cat because you don't have any at all and you miss the world of shows, then that could be a bit tougher...
Is there some sort of rescue program within the show community where you can get a show worthy kitty that is already an adult? I don't know how competitive or "dirty" things can be and if there are those who will dump their cats if they don't win enough...

Maybe you can help out and be a mentor to a new show person with their cat care and training....it's like being a grandma...you help out a bit but the kids go home with the parents and you can sleep thru the night! lol!

Or perhaps it's time to shift from participating in shows to working behind the scenes so you can still be involved.

And another "bold" question.....sorry. Are you of the mindset that you are too old to start a whole new "show lifecycle" with a new kitten as well? Do you have it in you to work at it the way you're supposed to? Again, I say this with no knowledge of the work load involved in having, caring for and showing a cat. If it seems daunting to you...then again, you have your answer.

 

[di and bob]

I agree with fostering, knowing you are invaluable to transitioning an unwanted cat to a loved one......

 

[posiepurrs]

I have considered fostering but there is a snag- my husband. When I was breeding, he wanted to keep every kitten because he got attached. I did too but was realistic about it- my kittens went to excellent homes. He would be the same with fosters. VAmomma, I am not wanting a cat for the sake of having another cat. Believe me, any animal that comes in this house would NEVER go to a shelter! Having bred Persians and shown them for over 20 years I know what I would be getting into. This past year, rather than listen to other family members we ended up spending $6000 on vet bills for 2 cats ( one diagnosed with a tumor on her liver). Family wanted us to euthanize both cats. Jem, all of my babies are to old now except my youngest and he absolutely hates the shows. Since he doesn’t like it, I won’t subject him to it. A rosette isn’t worth making him unhappy. I could purchase an alter to show in premiership class. I have thought of working as a clerk but it is showing the cat and talking to the gate about my breed that I miss ( clerking is a lot of paperwork- which I hate!) It is difficult to mentor, I tried unofficially to mentor. I have done other things- worked helping put on shows, written articles for Cat Talk and even have one on line at Pandecats. It will be 5 years this August since I have shown, and I still miss it! I do worry about our ages - I will be 71 and my husband is 70. I have arrangements with my friend for the cats when something happens to us. I love the grooming involved to show a Persian. Most people can’t or won’t do it since it is so time consuming. Right now my cats just get maintenance grooming since they aren’t being shown. A show groom takes 4-5 hours.

 

[neely]

I'm sure there is a lot of work and travel involved but would becoming a judge at a cat show be a possibility for you. With your background and knowledge I think you'd not only have a chance but be an excellent judge for the Persian breed.

 

[posiepurrs]

Can’t do that because of the requirements. You have to grand a certain number of cats not of your breed.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

Are there any rescues that specialize in the breeds you love? I was looking at a rescue that focuses on rehoming golden retrievers. Some are being retired from breeding and some are just needing new homes. The idea of a bit older animal is appealing to me.

My inlaws adopted a small dog as a puppy about 9 years ago; which would put them just a few years younger than you. I can’t imagine if they didn’t have her now while MIL is ok; but dealing with some issues. Shes calmer but a very good, comforting companion too. I believe my SIL is their care plan for the dog if needed. Their cat is much older and unlikely to need to be rehomed.

 

[denice]

If it's the showing you want, I don't know anything about that. I adopted when I was 65 after Alice passed at 18 and I had kitten fever, but I wasn't going to do that. I didn't want to be without a cat. I went to one of the no kill shelters. It was during the pandemic, so they were asking people to fill at applications before coming in to control the number of people in the shelter at the same time. This was mostly a cage free shelter and I stayed in the part where the adults were. An adult tuxedo kitty with FIV named Charlotte picked me. Since I had already been approved I was able to take her home then.

 

[susanm9006]

I think it’s just a natural reaction when you lose a pet to have the urge to fill the hole they left behind and also to go back to doing something that you loved. You need to just dwell on it for a while til your head and heart tells you what you need to do.

 

[Jem]

Are you allowed to show other people's cats?

Say you had a friend in the show community who had a few kitties to show but they can only do one at a time...you could get the kitty ready and show a second one for her/him?

 

[posiepurrs]

You can agent but I doubt since I can only do local that there would be a need. It is fairly rare to use an agent. It is more common in the dog world to have a handler.

 

[iPappy]

I am sorry for all your losses, especially happening in such a short time frame.
If you're still in the Persian world, would you know any breeders who would have a kitten or cat who isn't going to make the show cut, but would be able to be shown in altered (or, FEO if that is a thing in cat registries) as a side hobby along with being a cherished pet? If you have provisions for your cats, I'm sure a responsible breeder would be willing to help make sure the cat is safe should the unthinkable happen.
I have little plans to trial my dogs anytime soon. I miss it terribly. But my work schedule doesn't allow it as much as it used to. I kind of feel your pain.
What registry did you show under? CFA I believe has a class for house cat/non-purebreds that could be fun if you decided to adopt a shelter cat.

 

[posiepurrs]

Yes CFA, Tica and Cat Fanciers Federation all have household pets. As well as alters. I have shown in CFA and Tica.