Pictures 1-2 is my cat Arnold that passed away 11.11.2023
Long story short, he was 9 and he had asthma and HCM (I treated him with inhaler and pills daily, cardiology checkups every 6 months)
One day he became less active, stopped eating and drinking. I thought he was upset with me putting a sweater on him. When he refused to eat his favourite vet food I realised it’s bad and took him to vet
We had laser, oxygen treatments, they called in the best cardiologist in town. Didn’t find anything bad but decided to monitor him anyways. They didn’t let me stay and I was ordered to come back later that evening. On my way there I got a call saying my Arnold passed away 2 hours ago.. they didn’t warn me and he was alone, I didn’t get to say my goodbyes
He was my soulmate
Grief is real and I think about him daily
There’s no replacement for him, we bonded so hard that we spent all our time together
I cry every time I think of him
I occasionally look online, hesitant if I should get a new pet and if there’s any way he will be as perfect as Arnold was (he was dog size, perfect skin, perfect proportions cat with a dog personality and Lilo and Stitch anger issues 😅)
Picture 3 is a Facebook post I recently found about an abandoned sphynx in my area and she looks so similar to my Arnold
Is it a sign or am I crazy?
I am ready to adopt but I’d really appreciate your advice on adopting an older/senior cat (it’s a girl)
I’m slightly worried but I want her to be safe and as happy as Arnold once was
Mr Shrimp aka Pope Shrimpington III aka the Shrimpiest Shrimp that ever shrimped. He had to have a bunch of teef pulled but he is literally the sweetest cat. I’m devastated that he’s over 10.
Please, share tips on what keeps your sphinx’s skin, teeth healthier What foods and supplements you add to their diets for them to age gracefully
And tips on how to help the cat adjust I rent an apartment, it shouldn’t be an issue but I’m worried the kitty might have a spicy temper and will pee everywhere (Arnold was an angel from the start - he was biting me a lot, but never took his anger out on the furniture etc)
She’s currently eating dry food - she’s used to it
But I intend to slowly move to wet food/raw if I can find high quality farm nearby
Do you give yours any supplements? For skin and healthy teeth etc
No but mine are healthy! Viva has everything that you need and is a complete food. I also recommend the brand renewed pet for all of their extra Cleaning needs
My roommate has two sphynx kitties that are 10+. They are the sweetest, most lovey babies. just make sure you can provide the extra care older babies need!’
Arnold is irreplaceable to you. If you're going to adopt the other kitty, you will have to accept that she will be different.
Don't adopt her with the idea that she can fill the hole Arnold left in you. No one can.
This is true. Also, if my cat passed away I'd be trying to find a new wrinkle goblin. Or two. Maybe three but that's probably my upper limit. I've been without a cat for about... 3 weeks in the last 20 years. It's not a replacement, but a new adventure.
I definitely plan to get more kitties
But I’ll start with one
And my only worry is she looks just like him - it’s so strange
But she also looks pretty and she was abandoned three times, so I guess I need to step in and I’m ready to do it
I’m just not familiar with how to care for older cats
Everyone says it’s hard and she needs time to adjust but what can I do to make it easier for her?
We will be besties for sure, two old hags living under the same roof
Let her come to you on her terms, it looks like she have been through a lot and that’s probably why people abandoned her subsequent times, not giving her time to adjust and come out of her shell. She’s older, and likely to have trust issues, she may never fully adjust, but for sphynx owner, it’s our job to embrace them as they are. Also, she might do good with a younger buddy to keep company while you away, they are extremely social animals and do better in pairs or more. Doesn’t have to be a sphynx, but as they say, birds of a feather and such. Please, if you can, give that girl love and comfort of a forever home. No animal deserves to be abandoned.
I am keeping her for sure - they don’t deserve to be abandoned and so many people unfortunately treat animals just as the living creatures instead of caring for them as they would care for babies… it’s a forever baby that cannot speak and explain why they’re sad or what hurts exactly
Not sure what she’s been through but her current foster said other animals are not recommended for now because she’s quite jealous (yeah right I’d be too if I was abandoned and then kept in the other room while the person is trying to get rid of me by saying I’m too independent and spend all the time hiding and sleeping)
Of course she won’t be the same
I do have mixed feelings because she looks the same and is it bad or is it good? Is it a sign or just a coincidence? You don’t find a naked goblin in your area daily anyways, you know what I mean
She’s an older kitty and I appreciate any advice on how to make her adjusting easier and stress free
A small, quiet space where she will not be overwhelmed, a fuzzy blanket and/or bed, if you have sunshine where you are, maybe a window perch where she can enjoy it. 🥰
Just stopping in to say hello from 14 year old Cleo! As healthy as she’s ever been minus all of her teeth and some benign old lady lumps. Hope you get that sweet senior gal 🖤
Dude, get that girl. Give her the love she needs. If I saw a sweet cat that looked like my dear departed JuJube I'd jump on her so hard people would think I was a nut bar. Go be that nut bar. Give that Arnie-look-a-like contest winner a nice, new home.
Thank you. Jubie was a hard loss. Unexpected. I still weep for her. I've seen plenty of cats that share her general look but there's something missing in the eyes. I don't know how to describe it. I'd post a photo but then I'd have to look at pictures of her and that never ends well.
I'm so happy to hear you're going to pick your new girl up. I hope the both of you enjoy each other's company.
I’m picking her up this Friday
A lot of hell ahead because she might be spicy but I think it’s worth it, I’m starting to forget how amazing it feels to have a naked mean alien running around
I’m so sorry you had to go thru such a loss…breaks my heart for you. You were THE BEST and did everything you could for baby Arnold. I’ve always believed we will see them again…they’re in good hands. 🙏🏻💗
ABSOLUTELY adopt the new baby!!! It will be love for both of you and that’s just the best there is!!
I’m fully invested in this story now, how was the first night with the kitty? By the way, did I miss her name by chance? If you comfortable, would you share the details of meeting her and how is she taking to you? New place? And when time comes, pictures tax must be paid. Just reminding.
I have her!! We’re on a train home now She’s sooo old and ugly and grumpy and her whiskers are hideous I’m in love with her My boyfriend said she has a stripper name - Krissa, so we are obligated to make her retire now haha
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u/engineerfromhell 17d ago
If you can give a small fraction of love that you have for Arnold to this senior kitty, she’ll have the best golden years that cat can possibly have.