Literally .. could not sleep last night!
This afternoon we are going to look at, with a kitteh carrier in hand, several potential new members to our family at an awesome, local shelter. We have pretty much been approved, in writing, as an adoptive couple.
There will be 5 black, neutered males ranging from 3mos to 6mos available and we hope to be chosen by one. Last weekend, we purchased "new" kitten's own litter box, litter, toys, bed, scent-exchanging blanket and yummy treats for everyone.
We have been very happy with our interactions with the shelter. It is a true no-kill shelter, and all of the kittens live with and are very socialized to cats of various ages, primarily teens and young adults, so we're hoping that will be a bonus for us as we slowly introduce him to our main man Si, who at 17mos is a young adult. Additionally, all of their cats have been tested negative for feline aids and feline leukemia, are neutered/spayed, have all age-appropriate vaccinations, and have also been microchipped.
We are very hopeful, after reading and re-reading, all of the great information here that we will be able to integrate the two in a proper manner even though we have limited space living in an RV. Since Si is used to traveling, he is used to "his things" litterbox and all, being in random places temporarily and it never phases him. So we hope that the regular swapping of rooms and things between the two for the time it takes won't cause him too much distress. We have been pouring the loving, and playtime on Si the last couple of weeks, talking about him becoming a big brother and will continue to make sure he knows he's Top Cat.
I suppose it's normal for single cat household owners to feel more stressed than their cat who has no idea what may be coming home with us? On one hand I worry it's just "me" who thinks Si would be better off with a friend and playmate, and that feels somewhat selfish since he's been the only cat for 9mos now. However, I honestly do worry that when we work part time that he might be lonely and enjoy a friend. We rescued him when he was running with an pack of ferals, so I've always wondered if he misses his companions even though I realize cats don't think in such human terms.
Wish us luck!! And of course, if the right little man chooses us today .. I will be back once everyone is settled in .. with pix!
This afternoon we are going to look at, with a kitteh carrier in hand, several potential new members to our family at an awesome, local shelter. We have pretty much been approved, in writing, as an adoptive couple.
There will be 5 black, neutered males ranging from 3mos to 6mos available and we hope to be chosen by one. Last weekend, we purchased "new" kitten's own litter box, litter, toys, bed, scent-exchanging blanket and yummy treats for everyone.
We have been very happy with our interactions with the shelter. It is a true no-kill shelter, and all of the kittens live with and are very socialized to cats of various ages, primarily teens and young adults, so we're hoping that will be a bonus for us as we slowly introduce him to our main man Si, who at 17mos is a young adult. Additionally, all of their cats have been tested negative for feline aids and feline leukemia, are neutered/spayed, have all age-appropriate vaccinations, and have also been microchipped.
We are very hopeful, after reading and re-reading, all of the great information here that we will be able to integrate the two in a proper manner even though we have limited space living in an RV. Since Si is used to traveling, he is used to "his things" litterbox and all, being in random places temporarily and it never phases him. So we hope that the regular swapping of rooms and things between the two for the time it takes won't cause him too much distress. We have been pouring the loving, and playtime on Si the last couple of weeks, talking about him becoming a big brother and will continue to make sure he knows he's Top Cat.
I suppose it's normal for single cat household owners to feel more stressed than their cat who has no idea what may be coming home with us? On one hand I worry it's just "me" who thinks Si would be better off with a friend and playmate, and that feels somewhat selfish since he's been the only cat for 9mos now. However, I honestly do worry that when we work part time that he might be lonely and enjoy a friend. We rescued him when he was running with an pack of ferals, so I've always wondered if he misses his companions even though I realize cats don't think in such human terms.
Wish us luck!! And of course, if the right little man chooses us today .. I will be back once everyone is settled in .. with pix!