I don't know if we ever fully recover after a death of someone we love, but we do find ways to manage that empty spot in our lives. The pain gets easier to bear and it dissolves into happier memories of more pleasant times. For example, I can now talk more openly about the death of my cat, Brandon, without big fat tears rolling down my cheeks, and that's definite progress.
In fact, it's been more than a month now since I said goodbye to Brandon. So, I am proud of myself that my emotional state is such that I am able to adopt a new cat. Check out his photo on this page. Picking him up in 2 weeks. It took me more than a year to adopt a new cat after my previous cat died. That was in 1991, when Brandon came to live with me. Twenty years later, time passes a lot of faster than it did then, and I guess time becomes more precious.
Just for the record, we already have two cats, Pia and Pica, but they are our cats, ocicats, and not my cat.
My new kitten is a flame point ragdoll. He presently lives in San Diego. So, I'm flying down in two weeks to meet him at the San Diego airport. I will personally carry him in the cabin back to Sacramento because I don't want him flying in cargo. He will make his home in Land Park. I realize pets are transported in cargo all the time, but I can't help but feel it's too hard on them and too frightening.
I'm thinking about naming him Jackson. What do you think? Isn't he precious?
Photo: G. Strobel
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Certified HAFA Specialist
My Sacramento Real Estate Listings
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
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Oh so sweet.....kittens are the greatest pets. I'm such a cat-person. I like the idea of Jackson. Seems like such a big name for such a little kitty though. :) I'm so sorry about Brandon, I have a Lab that is getting slower every day and I know it's coming, I just can't quite say it out loud yet.
He's beautiful! My Sister and Mother in Law both have sister smokey colored ragdolls. They are gorgeous.
Congratulations on the new addition.
Hi Elizabeth, I like the name and he is adorable. There is something so special about a new kitten or new puppy in the house, I love the way they wiggle right into our hearts and instantly increase our joy. Congratulations, Jackson is lucky that you are coming to get him!
I'm a cat person. My husband and I just rescued two kittens from one of my foreclosure listings. We had to bottle feed one of them. That was in August. Now they are growing into rather large, healthy cats. We call them Indio and Loki. Loki is the subject of one of my blogs...from Christmas Eve.
Good luck with the new kitten.
It took me about 4 months after my last kitty passed away before I could add a new one to household. She and the 13 year old seemed to have figured it out and life moves on. Each and every cat that has come & gone holds a special place. Can't wait to see how your Oci's react to a new buddy in their midst.
I think adopting your new kitty is a great way to honor Brandon. There are so many homeless animals out there. And you are certainly a good Mom to them. I love the name Jackson.
I first learned about ragdolls from a client several years ago. She was a bit crrrrr-AAAAA-zy! (the cat, not the client) but cute as could be. She later had a few litters of kittens who were equally adorable. Have fun w/ Jackson. I'm sure he's going to love his new home.
Hi Karen: Knowing that your pet is about to die doesn't really make it any easier when it eventually happens. You can only love them to pieces for as long as they are with us. If I were there, I'd give your lab a scritch behind the ears and a kiss on the nose. But you can do that for me. As for the size of that kitten, in three years, he'll probably weigh more than 25 pounds. Ragdolls can get really BIG!
Hi Judy: I researched the breeds and decided a ragdoll was best suited for me. I really like cats that are devoted and loyal and well, more like a dog.
Hi Mary: OMG, freak me out. you have a new photo and I didn't recognize you. I like it, though. Yeah, kittens do instantly wiggle into your heart. It's so much fun to watch them play.
Hi Debbie: I am very much a cat person, too, but I also love dogs. I used to live with both but I no longer have the time to care for a dog. Cats can pretty much take care of themselves. If I were to forget to feed them, they'd break into the pantry and feed themselves, right after they gnawed off my dead leg.
Hi Cindy: I originally adopted Pica so I wouldn't be catless if Brandon left the earth. That was 8 years ago. I adopted Pia so Pica would have somebody to play with after Brandon shunned him. I think it helped me to have other cats in the house after Brandon died.
Hi Chris Ann: Well, I don't quite have the same number of cats that you do. My husband thinks 3 cats is extreme. But I always want to adopt every cat I meet. That's one of the reasons why I had to eventually leave my work at the Sacramento SPCA.
You know, he just looks like a Jackson to me. My husband says, wha? Michael Jackson. You're naming your cat after HIM? No, Jackson Mongomery from AMC. Although it's been years since I've watched that show.
The color of that cutie pie is exquisite. You are right to bring him back in the airplane cabin, rather than flying it cargo. It is going to be interesting to hear of Pia and Pica's reaction to their new family member:-)
Jackson is a good name and he IS precious! I have a blue point Ragdoll who is almost 9 years old. His name is Hairy Thunderpaws and he is a big cuddly baby.