I adopted my friend's kitty

[Marthe48]

My friend passed away Oct. 1. I've known the kitty, who is about 18, since my friend adopted her from the basement of the school building where she worked. I brought the kitty home yesterday. She is doing fine, trip and all.

I want to brag a little. At her house, my friend had a little oak bench set on the far side of her bed so the kitty could jump up and down if she needed a step. She doesn't usually, but she uses it if she wants to. My bedroom wasn't set up to safely set the bench. I figured if I tried, I'd trip on it. So this morning, I just rearranged the whole room, to set the bench on the far side of the bed so it's accessible to her and safe for me. Dusting and vacuuming while her highness watches from the bed

Everything else is in place and she is quite satisfied with her new home.

[Diamond_Dog]

1. Well done!

Sounds like Kitty is in excellent hands!

[drray23]

2. Thank you so much for doing this.

There are so many elderly pets who are left abandoned in a shelter after their owner die or goes to a nursing home. I am sure she is traumatized after losing her human. I am glad she got you.

[Marthe48]

6. I've been staying at my friend's house weekends

since the end of July. My friend went into the hospital mid-August and didn't get to come home. Neighbors took care of kitty Mon evening to Fri morning. It's been tough on all of us. I hated that the kitty was alone for a few days each week, but at least she was fed, petted and got her medicine. I think she knows the score and she is doing really good. I'm going to run out for a bit and see how she does. I shouldn't have to leave for overnights any time soon.

I see so many pets, whose owners died, featured in my local shelter posts on fb. Our family has always taken pets left behind and adopting my friend's kitty honors the memory of my friend. That might be how we do it, but too many people assume that everyone loves Sparky or Fluffy and will adopt if Mom or Dad pass and leave the pet. But that's not something to count on. I hope more older people who own pets will make concrete arrangements for their pets in case they outlive them. Really any age, because we don't know if we'll come home from work.

[catchnrelease]

22. Dealing with this very thing now

My ex-husband passed away unexpectedly in his home a couple of weeks ago. I've been helping our daughter deal with the mess inside of the house (he was a hoarder) and try to capture his cats. Daughter believed there were 3 cats inside and we have been able to catch 2, which thankfully have turned out to be sweet and friendly. She already has 4 cats of her own and didn't want to add more and I have a dog that isn't kitty friendly. As we all know rescues and shelters are full so we were desperate to find homes for these guys.

So far we've got the two, took to a vet to be tested for diseases and she is now introducing them to her 4. We've had one glimpse of the third guy, but have not been able to trap him yet. It's difficult because we both live a distance away and can only go to the house infrequently. We'll only set the trap if we'll be there the next day. Otherwise we're leaving food and water out to last until we come back. And what do we do with him when we get him?

Saying all this is just to agree and reiterate that it's so important to have a plan and let someone know the plan for your furry family members so that their fates are not left to chance and the goodwill of others.

[niyad]

24. I set up guardianship for my precious boy last year. My friend is even

Last edited Sat Oct 5, 2024, 02:19 PM - Edit history (1)

listed on my unlocked phone as ICE (in case of emergency) PET, with all her contact information.

There are forms online like doing wills online for pet guardianship now.

[Marthe48]

28. Thank you for that information

If it comes to that, my kids would take pets I have. I hate to say it, but I don't have a lot of friends or other relatives left on this side

[niyad]

30. You are most welcome. I have no family, but am blessed with some wonderful

friends.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Kitty is so lucky to have such a good-hearted human on her support staff. :) nt

[Leghorn21]

4. Well done, Marthe!! That kitty appreciates all your efforts to accomodate her (though she'll probably never say so,

because hey, she's a CAT, ha!!) - what is kitty's name??

Thanks for this lovely post!!

[Marthe48]

7. Right now, I call her Your Majesty

Seriously, I'm not sure if my friend used the kitty's name as a password, so I avoid posting it.

[Leghorn21]

11. Hey, you're probably right about that password business, Marthe!! -- Well, I shall call her "OUR QUEEN"

and leave it at that!!

Scritches and hugs!

[2naSalit]

5. Condolences...

At the loss of your friend.

Glad that you and the kitty have come to terms and that you have taken her home.

[Siwsan]

8. This just warms my heart

I hope we get to see some pictures.

[rockbluff botanist]

9. Thank you

I, too, have adopted many cats orphaned by the death of their parent. It always makes me feel close to my lost friend or relative.

You are fortunate that she adjusted so quickly.

[EverHopeful]

10. So happy for you

I thought I'd never have any cats again when my 20 year old sweetie crossed the rainbow bridge but then a friend died early in the pandemic and her two cats were in foster care for a long time. I was surprised nobody had adopted them so finally came to my senses and said yes.

One of my best decisions. I'm happy for you and your girl and wishing you as much joy as these guys bring me every day.

I really do much better under feline supervision.

[Marthe48]

12. Feline supervision lol

exactly!

My last kitty died on May 31 this year. I planned to do some traveling and maybe become a foster home for kitties after I got my trips. I think I've gotten my fill of traveling for awhile and this kitty is good company for me

[TommieMommy]

13. That's wonderful 👍😁so happy she has a loving home 💙 that was so thoughtful to take care of her and love her 💙

[Nigrum Cattus]

14. Excellent

Condolences on the loss of your human friend and congratulations on the new feline friend.

[IbogaProject]

15. Glad you can take over with your best friend's cat

It is really cool that you and the cat already had good relations.

[et tu]

16. and she is an elder cat

which usually makes it hard to find another home.

[Marthe48]

17. And I'm an elder person

lol

[et tu]

18. lots of wisdom in your household!

[Clouds Passing]

19. Your friend

You’ll make a wonderful cat momma 😽

[iluvtennis]

20. So cool. 😎. n/t

[Aaeia]

21. Friend

Your friend is probably sending hugs your way for loving her fur baby so well. ❤️❤️❤️

[3catwoman3]

23. The perfect loving tribute for your friend.

[lark]

25. Brava, it's what a true friend would do!

Your friend was and your new kitty is lucky to have you!

[twodogsbarking]

26. Feeling good is a side benefit to doing good.

[bluboid]

27. very sweet story...

take good care of the kitty & the kitty will return it with more love than any human can understand. it's their eternal nature.

[OverBurn]

29. Awesome. I worry about my 2 two Kittys if I go before they do.

[slightlv]

31. Thank you so much for doing this, Marthe...

I live with a coterie of cats; we've been together for years and years. The oldest one in the group is now approaching 20, but I do have three that are around 7, two around 8. I lost three last year, all but one was in their 20's. The younger one I lost to a diabetic crisis that neither I nor my vet caught on to fast enough. I'm 67, and it's worried me what would become of them should I pass on before the last of them. My worry was put to rest when my grandson, who recently moved in with us, assured me the cats (and my dog) would be well taken care of by him. He adores them, and it's mutual. I love kittens, and I loved the years I spent rescuing. It's a hard day when you have to come to the conclusion... no more kittens! So I just hold my own that much closer to me and the love crap out of them. To do what you did, your friend is smiling upon you, and blessing you, I have no doubt!

[Marthe48]

32. Don't count yourself out

The local shelter has a foster program and I was thinking of trying that. Now that I have a kitty again, I'll wait. I think the shelter will take care of vet costs and maybe food for fosters. They also have a need for volunteers to come and keep the shelter pets socialized, so you can go and sit in the cat room,, play with, pet the cats, or walk the dogs. There are dedicated voluteers at both of the local shelters and many foster failures (foster adopted by their foster family!)

I'm glad your grandson will become your pets' champion

[slightlv]

33. I belong to a rescue/animal welfare group

here in my little city. I've already added my name to the "will foster" roster... specifically for cats, but also amenable to dogs. I'm sure my Lexy wouldn't mind having a dog to learn from. Right now, she's been raised more by cats and can "cat" real good; she doesn't "dog" so much, tho. Frisbee? That's the thing that goes sailing past her head. A walk? That's where she tries to break mama's leg again! (LOL)

Cat socializing sounds like a good match for me, tho. We've got a new local Humane Society recently. I went to one of their fundraisers, and saw they have a cat room. You've given me a great idea! Thanks!

[Marthe48]

34. Yay!

My daughter scooped a little kitten out of traffic last year. Her famiy had dogs and cats already. The little girl dog adopted the kitty as her baby, and the kitty acts more like a dog than a cat. The adult house cat teaches the young cat how to be a cat, which can be funny to watch. The young cat is about twice the size the dog that raised him. lol He bowls her over trying to play. She looks at the cat and looks at us people like she has no idea how this monster got created lol All in good fun. If kitty gets too rough, he's banished to a closed room.

My daughter lost their Belgian Malinois in April, to cancer. She got a rescue Golden Ret. the end of June. He is a big lug, but he gets along with all of the other pets. I get to spend time with the pets and they all love me, makes me happy

[HeartsCanHope]

35. So kind of you to take her in, Marthe48.

I also thank you for making the bed accessible for Her Highness! It's the kindness of people like you that give me hope for this old world. You and your new kitty take care.

[catrose]

36. Bless you for being such a good friend to them both

[Fla Dem]

37. So sorry you've lost your friend. But she will live on in her cherished pet for you.

I hope you both have many years together.