I live on my own. I don’t have any family or friends nearby. I don’t see another human being from one day’s end to the next. Hardly at all. During the pandemic, it didn’t bother me that I didn’t see. Anybody. I’ve always preferred my own company to the wrong. company, but lately it’s really started bothering me and I’m feeling incredibly lonely. I am one of the forgotten people. So I’ve been thinking about adopting a cat from a local rescue. I’ve been thinking hard about it because, obviously it’s a responsibility. They rescue centre would do. their best to match me with a suitable cat, And it would have to be an indoor cat. But I can’t help thinking, am I being a responsible and selfish? On the other hand, it would give me a purpose Which right now I have nothing to give me any focus. or anything in life. And to live in cat might also help deter mice in the winter. Does anyone else here have the responsibility of a cat Or any. Advice or thoughts to offer.
Hi Artgeek, welcome to the Forum. I think your idea of getting a cat is a brilliant one, they’re great company and unlike dogs they don’t require to be taken for walks. On the wider topic of being lonely I know how that feels, I’ve never been one for joining groups but a few years ago I made myself break the habit of a lifetime and joined a choir and a bridge club, both of which have helped a lot. I do hope you’ll find the right thing for you, and good luck with getting a cat
Thank you Carlotta.
Growing up, I had my fair share. of cats, dogs, budgies, goldfish, which over the years increased to include stick insects, a praying mantis, hamsters and guinea pigs. I’ve always been more of a dog person, though. having a dog, though, would be totally irresponsible because of the demands of walking. daily. Up until till a few years ago. I used to walk about five miles a day. My days of joining groups are over. Nothing to do with the Parkinson’s. at least not directly. I did my fair share of joining. when my ex husband’s Work benefited from it. Not only did I join in groups. to be seen to be in support of him. but I also ended up serving on committees. doing voluntary work. and spent quite a lot of time. as chair or President of different groups. After 15 years. of that. and then getting divorced. I’d had enough. So I stopped joining in. Kind of the opposite of what you’ve done. Unfortunately, it has resulted in people not even knowing that I’m here. until recently, it really wasn’t bothering me. Then just before Christmas. one of my closest and oldest friends died suddenly. between that and the tweaks they’re making to my medication at the hospital. I’m finding that I’m losing. interest momentum. I don’t know what you’d call it. Not one person from any of the groups that I’ve given a lot of my time and effort to, has even bothered to pick up the phone in six years to see how I am. My church hasn’t even noticed I no longer attend. That’s why I think a cat would be some sort of company for me. I think I might give my local animal shelter a phone call in the next day or so. My mood is so low that I know. that I know if I don’t try and do something soon to pick myself up it won’t be good.
I have two dogs and they are my reason to get up in the morning, go for a walk then work so I can buy them nice things, take them nice places
Hello Artgeek,
I grew up with cats, mostly strays lol. When I bought my flat (before my Parkinson’s diagnosis) it had a cat flap in the back door. I mentioned to a friend and work college that since I had a cat flap I should really think about getting a cat lol. A few weeks later she asked me if I was serious about getting a cat because one of her clients had died and left his cat. All the shelters were full and she couldn’t take her because her own cat was unwell and elderly. She and a colleague were taking it in turns to feed this cat. She was going roud to see the cat and asked if I wanted to go with her; I knew if I saw it I would take her but I couldn’t say no. So off we went and this absolutely beautiful silver grey tabby came running up the garden path………I had her just a few weeks short of six years and her name was Lucky.
After that I had two more cats, both rescue and I had both for some years each - I have a soft spot for older cats because they are often overlooked but you do need to be aware you might not have them as long as a younger cat. When my third cat was pts I decided not to take another one of my own. I had my diagnosis by then, no longer drove and didn’t want my family to ‘have to’ take my cat but I did miss having a cat so I volunteered to foster cats for my local Cats Protection branch and did that for 3 or 4 years and stopped when the branch. There are severaj reasons why I opted to foster - not least there would always be someone I could call on if the vet was needed. I loved the fostering, you never knew what would be coming through the door and there is nothing so satisfying as successfully rehoming a cat.
So why am I telling you all this? It’s both simple and complicated at one and the same time. Cats can be excellent companions and, as has been mentioned above, are more independent than a dog. Cats like many animals, seem to know if you are not feeling too well or in Parkinson’s terms not having a good day, and be quite sensitive to your ill health; the other side of the coin is that having a pet can help you cope with whatever is going on.
As far as it goes then, I would agree with all the comments that say getting a cat would be beneficial but you live on your own as I do, and there are a few things you need to think about before getting a cat, such as
Would you be able to take it to the vet either on your own or maybe there are local friends neighbours etc who you could call on if necessary
Can you physically manage what having a cat need eg putting food and water bowl down on the floor
On your less good days could you still manage all cat related issues
If you think that a house cat would suit you best, then choose your cat very carefully and make sure as you can be that the one you choose will be content with a life indoors.
Think about the age of the cat you feel would suit you best. As I said I was always drawn to older cats because they were so often overlooked. You need to be aware if looking for a rescue cat commonly you won’t know much of its history, so to a certain extent you are taking a chance on being a good match, but if you find out as much as you can from the cat shelter/foster home etc, you will have done what you can that the cat you have chosen will be a good match.
Make your selection (if you can) with your head not your heart. You will probably find that virtually impossible to do but do try to be a bit objective.
These are not hard and fast things to consider, rather my list is to make sure you have done your best to think hard about your decision to have a cat including your ability to physically look after him or her. Having said all that the reality is once you have made your decision and you go in search of one tl adopt, the cat will choose you using every trick in the book and you will be powerless to resist and that cat wil be right for you. You won’t regret it and you will have an excellent companion to share your life.
These days I get my cat fix from the neighbours’ cats but I attach a few photos of cats I have had myself or fostered - you will find you take endless photos.
Let us know how you get on.
Tot