Should have seen this coming... Oh, wait, I did!

[kriadydragon]

I knew that one of the risks of working at the animal shelter was eventually becoming so smitten with a cat or dog that I just "had to have nooooow!" Which I've been trying very, very, very hard to avoid. I have three cats already, plus five feral cats who I feed. I've been content with the fact that the number of cats I have hasn't grown any further and that I'm not becoming a cat lady. So the thought of getting another cat makes me squirm, a lot.

But... but... but... the cat I want to get is my bud! I first saw him in feline isolation (where sick cats, suspected sick cats, or cats with ringworm go) and he would reach out with his little paws and tug at my iso gown. Then I saw him again today in the feline lofts (he's all better :D), and he dazzled me all over gain (he's such a sweety!). I feel like should he and my cat Bug get along he can be the playmate Bug has always wanted (poor Bug, always wanting to play with no one to play with).

But... three cats, plus five feral cats... not that anyone would know I have four cats since my cats are strictly indoor. My biggest concern, however, is some other cat coming along who dazzles me and I "must have!" and I became a cat lady with too many cats and the house stinks and...

I don't know. I'm so torn. I've actually had pretty good will power up until now. My little clowder of ferals are all fixed so haven't been increasing in number. And it's not like adopting a cat is easy as pie and I can wrack up a collection of cats in a matter of days (plus, yes, as I said, I do have will power, just not with this cat for some reason).

Plus, the thing about me is that when I want something - as in really, really, really want it bad and it's all I can think about - once I get that something I'm content. I don't want more of that something. But I'm such a sucker when it comes to animals, most especially cats, and that's what's got me worried. I can just see me getting this cat, then along comes some kitten that I end up smitten with as well. It kind of makes me wonder if I should wait for said kitten to come along (the cat I want is a tween). But... on the other hand... there's just something about this cat that makes me want him like crazy. I've been tempted before, but not like this (although it probably didn't help that my mom said "oh, just get him").

Well, at least I have time to think on it since the cat I want isn't available quite yet. Although that creates another problem - deciding fast in order to act fast before this cat is adopted out. Cats like him go fast.

Do I cave? Maybe I should just cave. *Sobs*

Comments

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

When you talked about doing this, I almost asked. . . .
>;-)

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I do have to give myself credit since I've been volunteering there for nearly two years, now. And it's only now that I'm caving to temptation ;)

[tavabean.livejournal.com]

I hate to say anything to influence you one way or the other, but that little guy is sure trying his hardest to convince you, isn't he?
Such a tough decision!

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

He is! *sobs some more* And it doesn't help that I'm thinking more about getting this cat ASAP before anyone else does than actually weighing the pros and cons of getting another cat.

[aim2misbhave.livejournal.com]

I've had this discussion with people at the shelter I volunteered with, because there's always at least one you just can't NOT adopt. And whenever we talk about who's our "favorite" at the shelter at any given time, we end up qualifying it with "well, my most favorite cat/dog came home with me".

And yes, my kitty is my most favorite kitty from that shelter - in the two years since then, there's been other extremely loveable, sweet cats there that I adored, but no others that I just felt like I *had* to take home. On the other hand, mine was middle-aged, on his second time in the shelter system, and had been up for adoption for months and months, so I knew that the odds weren't in his favor of someone other than me takin him home.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

because there's always at least one you just can't NOT adopt.

True, very true. We've already adopted a dog from there even though we had four dogs already. She has three legs, and my mom had become curious about her after I had talked about her. I thought for sure the dog had been adopted but, nope, there she was, so I had my mom (who was picking me up at the time since I didn't have use of the car) come inside and check the dog out, and now she's part of of the family.

So I suppose it's only fair that I get to adopt a cat since she got a dog ;)

[embroiderama]

Yeah, I'm not a good person to answer this because left to my own devices I'd be a crazy cat lady too. As it is, I have three in an apartment that only allows two. (Ooooops. But Flash is getting old, and Lexi wouldn't make a good only cat, plus Lexi clearly wanted a baby to mother and cuddle with so it's really not my fault. LOL) Anyway, I would bring him home.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Er, maybe I should inquire of some dog people, then? Heh. Cat people, we're such enablers ;)

Besides which, I definitely think Bug needs a little brother to pick on. Yes, she definitely needs a little brother ;)

[sarievenea.livejournal.com]

Go with your gut. Intuition is there for a reason.

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

Cave this one time and make sure you keep to "don't do it again". Bug wants a playmate.

[ladyrose42.livejournal.com]

My not to excuse is 3 cats amd the litter boxes. Plus the way my 3 "share" me, would make it hard for a 4th. But "resistance is futile"

Perhaps a friend you visit

[sinzh.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a friend you visit frequently would like a cat? Or if it isan especially friendly cat, maybe you could look for business needing a therapy cat?

Personally, I've found integration of an additional cat to be such a hassle that it's hard to convince me that I want another one. (Last time, I lost my guest bedroom's queen size pillow top mattress to angry, territorial cats! $900 US.. Into the kitty litter...)

Re: Perhaps a friend you visit

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I'm not too concerned about territorialism since my cats pretty much keep to themselves. However, my mom brought up a good point today that it might be a bit of an issue since their "territory" has been diminished somewhat (we have family staying with us, currently living in our basement) and the place I would have to keep the new cat while he adjusted is currently the only comfort zone of one of my cats, and she's neurotic enough as it is :/

Re: Perhaps a friend you visit

[sinzh.livejournal.com]

Cat introductions can be insane. If you don't have a good living area for the new cat that is large enough for current pride members to explore while the newbie is away and a good area for controlled introductions to residents, a new cat is a definite "no" unless the need is urgent.

My mattress loss came quickly as my mother (for whom I'd agreed to cat sit while she was away 2 wks/monthly) thought it would be okay to release her cat in the open utility room (location of my cats food and litter trays) while I was out and my cats were roaming the house. We tried recovering by staging introductions again after we caught her cat (shy, hissy kitty) but that horrid first impression stuck.

[linziday.livejournal.com]

I say go for it, but I have cats and we cat people are enablers. :)

Look at it this way, if the little guy was gone from the shelter tomorrow, how would you feel?