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The Cat's Meow


Onehandcan

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It's been three months since my grief stricken post about losing my cat, Rocky. I miss her dearly and thought long and hard about whether or not to adopt another cat. Caring for a pet can get complicated for a stroke survivor. Adding more challenges to an already challenged life is cause for pause, for sure. The prospect of, again, changing a litter box, brushing an uncooperative cat, clipping claws. Heck, even opening a can of food with only one functional hand to work with all add up to the inevitable question, "am I really up for this?" When I think about it, that's the same question I have asked myself over and over again since the day I had my stroke, 20 years ago. When one is tired, feeling overwhelmed by the once simple tasks that have become difficult, as is often the case post-stroke, (even for a 20 year survivor), and perhaps one is flirting with depression as well, it is easy to lose sight of the joys and rewards that await us with the affirmative answer to the question posed a couple of sentences back, "am I really up for this?" Sometimes cajoling oneself into believing "of course, I'm ready for this" is what it takes to keep going. Just as I cajoled myself into answering, "yes, I AM up for this" when I made the decision to adopt Izzie and Augie, my two beautiful 4 month old kittens that have quickly become the joy of my life, challenges and all! "Yes, I am" is a good starting point.

 

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Guest lwisman

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Congrats on  your kittens! I am a firm believer in pet therapy. Cats also need people therapy!

 

I also decided when my cat died of old age last summer to get a new cat, She is great. I have learned a few things over the years toward making a cat easier to deal with. I only give her dry food. That way I do not have to deal with cans. BTW, I did a lot of research before deciding on a brand. I have an automatic litter box. This cuts down on the number of times I have to deal with the box. Helpful for physical limitations. I bought a new brush since my old one was no longer in prime condition. They now have brushes that easily release hair. I do recommend going to the store or looking online for whatever items you need. There are always new inventions.

 

I am also a firm believer in adopting rescued kittens/cats. They are great and there are a lot of them.

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Thanks for the suggestions Iwisman. My little ones got wet food when in foster care where they were taken care of as foundlings from 3 weeks old until I brought them home. They went from bottle feeding to wet food. I'm transitioning them to dry food now. I'll check out your other suggestions, too!

 

Thanks for the well-wishes from everybody! I'm so happy to have made my home Augie's and Izzie's home!

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