A cost of loneliness: no more cats

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ICollectWatches
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

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Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Gender: Female
Posts: 56

07 Dec 2014, 4:04 pm

I recently lost my last cat to cancer. I lost all three in the last two years.

Caring for cats, by myself, has been very difficult and stressful. I have nobody to help me hold them for medication or feeding, nobody to feed them or medicate them if I can't get home, so I could never leave home for any length of time, I have nobody to care for them if *I* get sick, I have nobody to share in the vet visits or the home care so I can continue working, I have nobody to share the costs with, and most importantly, I have nobody to support me when I am stressed or sad. Also, I'm not confident I'll outlive another cat.

So, reluctantly, I've decided that I can't have cats anymore. I won't be getting another.

Of course this just makes me more lonely.



Plum
Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse

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Joined: 30 Nov 2014
Age: 52
Gender: Female
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07 Dec 2014, 4:20 pm

I am so so very sorry for your loss. That's too much grief for one person to bear, I hope you find a way to feel better soon.

Not sure if it helps, but I know exactly how you feel. I am constantly living in stress because of the worry about my cats. This summer I lost one to a car accident and it was horrible, I am still very upset about it and even more worrying about the other two now. I don't travel anywhere because I don't want them to be upset and I constantly fret about what would happen to them if I were to die.

Probably this is how other people feel about their family, but somehow, I don't feel like that about humans, just animals. I guess we all have to have something to feel bad about - if it's not worry about those you love then it's the feeling of being all alone with noone around.

Maybe you could volunteer in a cat shelter instead - that way you get to spend time with cats and lonely cats get some human love while they wait for their forever home.

Be well.


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ICollectWatches
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

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Joined: 19 Sep 2014
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07 Dec 2014, 5:49 pm

Thanks, Plum. I'm sorry for your loss, too.