# mourning the kitty (links to your cute photos please!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 20, 2008, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964 "2008-05-20T13:37:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/1 "2008-05-20T13:37:06Z")
As mentioned in a few [previous](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=453050)[threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=457503), my cat [Stacie](http://flickr.com/photos/gingerrox/sets/72157603802363542/) had been living with liver cancer since late January. Having nearly tripled her life expectancy, we were calling her the “miracle cat” and yesterday I seriously wondered if I was going to need to find someone to give her medications and inject her with fluids while I was away for my cousin’s wedding in _July_. Alas, it appears she just hid her condition well. Yesterday, while SO and I were at work, she collapsed. SO discovered her, barely conscious, shortly after he arrived home in the afternoon. I rushed from work and met him at the vet emergency clinic, where we spent time holding and comforting her until the vet ended her suffering. Apparently her tumors had gotten so large they had displaced some of her other organs, and her body just started to shut down. She was a brave little one until the end. The hardest part was going to bed (which I put off as long as possible and now I’m screwed for work today), when I knew she wouldn’t climb up to sleep with us or be there in the morning for her usual pets. She was the most consistent part of my life for nearly a decade, and she is no more. So, use this as yet another opportunity to post all your adorable kitty photos. During her illness it was fun seeing everyone’s little guys (\*\*[ichc](http://icanhascheezburger.com/) \*\* has been a great comfort!), so bring 'em on! The cuter the better. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/2 "2008-05-20T14:36:21Z")
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Stacie. I lost my old Pounce (age 20) almost two years ago. Here she is, coping with the annoying young tabby Willow, who came into our lives about a year before Pounce left. [Get off my chair!](http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d132/Capresesalad/?action=view¤t=PounceWillow_001.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/3 "2008-05-20T14:44:52Z")
Poor Stacie, what a sweet looking kitty! Here is my adorable, Siamese/snowshoe/alleycat mix [Diego](http://gloriana.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album09&id=kittyinthewindow) - he hates it when I leave for work in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/4 "2008-05-20T15:12:11Z")
I’m very sorry for your loss. It’s been less than two weeks since we lost our best cat ever very unexpectedly, so I feel for you. Our three remaining cats are with us still, but we miss our Charles T. Cat. Here is [Scrappy Doo](http://members.cox.net/lisacurl/PICT0331.JPG), evil cat, showing an unhealthy interest in a pump action shotgun. [Pierre](http://files.dogster.com/pix/cats/11/243711/243711_1136441312.jpg), our dumb blonde. He used to sit like that on the cat tree, like a little dude cruising in his car, and it cracked me up. We don’t have that cat tree anymore, so he mostly lies around like a rug now. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/5 "2008-05-20T15:22:49Z")
I remember reading about your cat with cancer. I’m so sorry. [Manny](http://home.comcast.net/~yay.cat.pictures//poops.jpg) also sends his condolences. ---
**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/6 "2008-05-20T15:27:59Z")
Awwww ☹ I am so sorry your kitty died. [Chloe](http://picasaweb.google.com/elizabeth.d.johnson/Kitties/photo?authkey=SyJjpqEh55I#5189220813818356306) , [Wally](http://picasaweb.google.com/elizabeth.d.johnson/Kitties/photo?authkey=SyJjpqEh55I#5181088000461592082) and [Eddie](http://picasaweb.google.com/elizabeth.d.johnson/Kitties/photo?authkey=SyJjpqEh55I#5194299127935134786) wish your kitty well. ---
**Author:** ![Elysium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@Elysium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysium)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/7 "2008-05-20T15:54:46Z")
☹ I’m so sorry to hear your Kitty has gone. [Moriarty](http://flickr.com/photos/mikerapa/2457362410/) , [Elliot](http://flickr.com/photos/93164985@N00/1980665916/in/set-72157594302728792/), and [Minaloushe](http://flickr.com/photos/93164985@N00/465046003/in/set-72157594302728792/) would gladly curl up and sleep next to you in your time of loss. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/8 "2008-05-20T20:10:15Z")
Huh. I don’t know if I’ve ever thought about orange tabbies (almost) all being male. She was lovely. I will think of Stacie when I see the Evil Stripey Ones tonight. ☹ [Lloyd](http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s47/juliarmstrng/lloydapuss.jpg) [Bruno](http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s47/juliarmstrng/brunobaby.jpg) ETA: [Oh, hell those pics won’t do. Try this.](http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s47/juliarmstrng/LloydBruno.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/9 "2008-05-20T20:19:22Z")
I lost both my [mom and my 21-year old cat, Squirt](http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceejaytee/2093669746/) last year. My 4 year old told me yesterday that he missed Squirty. Me too. I’m sorry for your loss. [Jack](http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceejaytee/2469554605/), [Anna](http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceejaytee/2470377310/), and [Lizzie](http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceejaytee/2470378114/) send their condolences and deepest sympathies. ---
**Author:** ![Aguecheek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Aguecheek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aguecheek)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/10 "2008-05-20T22:38:55Z")
Stacie’s gorgeous. We lost Cassis last June and I still miss her. Since then, we have acquired two new troublemakers, Lily and Bruce, in addition to Calvin, who was adopted a couple of years ago. Bruce’s story was recounted a couple of months ago, when we first [adopted](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=451241) him. All four cats can be found in their furry splendour [here.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/11243901@N02/sets/72157601420098900/) ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/11 "2008-05-20T23:59:18Z")
I’m sorry you lost your kitty ☹ . [Kee Kee the Squirell Cat](http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/ignatz1957/HPIM0004.jpg) sends her condolences, also. ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/12 "2008-05-21T02:05:54Z")
Wow, thanks everyone! The kitties are all gorgeous and really do cheer me up. On another topic, without starting a new thread, any advice for adopting the next cat? We are certainly not in a hurry to add to our family while we’re still dealing wit the loss, but when the time comes do you experienced adopters have tips? Common pitfalls? Questions to ask? Old or young? Stacie was the first and only pet that I cared for on my own. I got her from my roommate (she chose me over him, basically) so I’ve never gone through choosing a cat from a shelter before, which is what we would probably do (unless someone we know ends up with a batch of kitties or whatever…) Meanwhile, keep the photos coming. ---
**Author:** ![meenie7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7993a0/32.png) [@meenie7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meenie7)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/13 "2008-05-21T02:18:40Z")
Awww, how sad. Poor kitty ☹ Fellow orange tabby [Lancelot](http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q309/lindramine/?action=view¤t=lance1213-2.jpg) sends his condolences ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/14 "2008-05-21T03:07:10Z")
Here’s the web album of the pregnant cat we took in a year ago and her kittens: [http://picasaweb.google.com/raenjapan/IsisAndBabies](http://picasaweb.google.com/raenjapan/IsisAndBabies) All the babies are adopted, but we still have Isis and I’m picking up another foster cat today. I’m so sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/15 "2008-05-21T03:28:57Z")
[All my cat pictures](http://picasaweb.google.com/lrm229/CatPictures/photo#4978486917548212242) Erica was 20 and 1/2 when we finally had to let her go. This thread is wonderful. I save ex-Doper cat pictures in my screensaver folder. Every few minutes when my laptop goes idle, know that someone is out there being reminded of Stacie. My boys and girl are getting some tearful skritches tonight. Dammit, all cats should live healthy and happy forever. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/16 "2008-05-21T03:33:52Z")
[QUOTE=Rachael Rage] Wow, thanks everyone! The kitties are all gorgeous and really do cheer me up. On another topic, without starting a new thread, any advice for adopting the next cat? We are certainly not in a hurry to add to our family while we’re still dealing wit the loss, but when the time comes do you experienced adopters have tips? Common pitfalls? Questions to ask? Old or young? Stacie was the first and only pet that I cared for on my own. I got her from my roommate (she chose me over him, basically) so I’ve never gone through choosing a cat from a shelter before, which is what we would probably do (unless someone we know ends up with a batch of kitties or whatever…) Meanwhile, keep the photos coming. [/QUOTE] Shelter, shelter, shelter. Find one close to you, get to know the people there, visit a lot but be strong. One day, one cat will speak to you. Take that one. Just my 2 pennies. I have four. Three from shelters, one that came from my vet and was abandoned and rescued. That would be the One and Only Cuervo. You not only get a cat, you get karma. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/17 "2008-05-21T03:54:54Z")
Here’s my guy [Ulysses](http://brookenelson.com/ulysses1.jpg) being [lazy](http://brookenelson.com/lazyulysses.jpg), as usual. p.s. Stacie was such a beautiful girl. So sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/18 "2008-05-21T05:45:24Z")
Sorry about Stacie. Here’s [mine](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/Timur_photo/IMG_1781.jpg) [behaving](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/Timur_photo/IMG_1782.jpg) [themselves](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/Timur_photo/IMG_1783.jpg), [for](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/Timur_photo/IMG_1784.jpg) [once](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/Timur_photo/IMG_1785.jpg). As to getting a new cat, some random thoughts: 1.) As with most here I suspect, I’d strongly recommend shelters over purebred unless you are either a.) thoroughly besotted with a particular breed ( perfectly understandable ), b.) and/or intend to be a breeder of such and c.) you don’t mind spending a LOT more money :). I think it is fair to say that cat breeds are, relatively speaking, a lot less differentiated ( especially behaviorally ) than their canine counterparts. 2.) If you can afford the higher vet/food/toy bills, two is almost always better than one, even in a one bedroom apartment. ESPECIALLY if you get kittens - those things are hellaciously pesty in their search for stimulation. Having a playmate seems to equal less destructive behavior and better exercised cats. Plus they are 3x as amusing as one. If getting two, I’d advise two kittens/young cats ( siblings or otherwise ) for ease of introductions. However already bonded adult pairs are not uncommon in shelters and shelters love adopting those out as a unit. 3.) Kittens are adorable and amusing as all get out. They are also, as above, as pesty as hell and can cause a distracting amount of mischief. I wouldn’t recommend one vs. the other, but an older cat will usually bond just as tightly as a kitten to a new owner, they are harder for shelters to adopt out and are ( perhaps, but see below ) more of a known quantity tempermentally. Of course adult cats will likely be with you for a shorter period of time. A fine compromise might be subadults, say over six months old, who aren’t quite as inexhaustably energetic as the younger kittens. 4.) It seems anecdotally true that neutered males might be, by a small margin _and on average_ the “sweetest” and most demonstrably affectionate ( which can also mean totally annoying lap parasite ), whereas females tend to be slightly more independent. But that’s such an extremely broad generalization that I would never base getting a particular gender of cat on it. I only mention it because it gets brought up a lot. The most affection-demanding lap parasite of a cat I ever had was a female. 5.) Shelter folks, understandably trying to steer people to older cats, often seem fond of saying that you can’t tell an adult cat’s personality from its personality as a kitten. Personally I call qualified bullshit on that one. What does seem true is that cat’s personality _can_ sometimes change radically ( temporally or more rarely permanently ) in response to environmental stimuli or stress ( new house, new baby, new cat, etc. ). But that is pretty individual. However every cat I’ve ever known from kittenhood to adulthood in a reasonably stable household, the personality has remained very consistent, excluding age-related changes like reduced rough-housing in adults. Bold kittens tend to bold adults, more often than not. ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/19 "2008-05-21T07:04:20Z")
[QUOTE=Tamerlane] 2.) If you can afford the higher vet/food/toy bills, two is almost always better than one, **even in a one bedroom apartment**. [/QUOTE] What about a studio? Seriously, our apartment is about the size of some people’s closets. I was lucky Stacie never got over six pounds. I wouldn’t mind two but we don’t have the space for it. We might wait until we get a bigger place, but we have no real idea when that might be. So it might be one to start with, possibly adding a second later depending on the space issue. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964/20 "2008-05-21T11:09:27Z")
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Sending supporting thoughts your way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-kitty-links-to-your-cute-photos-please/449964.md?page=2)