An update regarding the house life since Elsa has been gone

[Luke]

Well its been just over a week since Elsa departed..and i must say the house is a lot more settled...even with the maniacy of Ralph! There are no fights anymore-period; Clementine does her own thing without worrying if Elsa is gonna start a fight, My dear Old Polly seems to be picking up in her health and generally much happier, dinner time isn't a brawl-its a pleasure, we can go around the house without worrying if we are going to upset Elsa, we can leave doors and things open without worrying she could get to a certain animal and have a pop at them...in general things are seeminglly much better.,
The news about her dissapearence from her new home really set me back today..despite it being very worrying/sad news it just really felt "odd". Don't get me wrong, if anything has happened to be her i will be very upset and it will be a VERY sad day, but i must say...*whispers*-i'm actually enjoying life without her-is it bad of me?!?!?!
Clementine seems happy...her hair on her tum is growing back from where she would lick it out through 'stress' and she tends to stay home a lot more than what she did before. The dogs are just very mellow and don't seem so "on the ball" as when Elsa was around.
Today we talked about a new addition...we have visitied the rescue center once the other day-merely to have a snoop with a spare hour we had, and to drop some 'bits n pieces' off. There were some nice kittens/cats..but there was none that got my 'attention' and the select few who did make me take a second glance were totally unsuitable for our lifestyle and home. But today we were discussing the matter and i said how i don't think the time is right...or ever shall be (i know-passing the chance of a kitten/young cat!!) Maybe its me..but i think Clementine is liking life without the 'other half', the dogs couldnt care less TBH..and my mom just kept saying how in the future things would be different, a different cat-different personality-different temperament etc..but im just not sure-what do y'all think?
Don't get me wrong i would LOVE a little kitten or young cat to quafer (sp) and cuddle..and treat like a baby..would LOVE another feline friend, but i DON'T want to go through the "elsa experience" again-i can't do it, i really can't. So i don't want to get a new addition to find the problems within the house start again-then again, maybe things got as 'tense' as they did in the end due to Elsa's behaviour-and maybe with a "normal" cat things would just be like how they are with Clementine?

I did a 'brave' (i think) thing today..i got the box of Elsa's things from the attic and gave it to someone to drop off at the local RSPCA shelter *collar, some toys, bed, bowls, brush, blanket* as it just kept going through my mind that it was in the attic and i know i will never use it again, even if i did get a new addition, so it was wasteage really.
So...thats how life is at the moment-with the good points, the low points and the unanswerable questions (pretty much like life in general!!)

[Kazz]

Hi Luke

I can't give give you advice as your situation is known only to you. But I would say don't go to the RSPCA or cat shelters this side of Christmas - leave it awhile. Let life settle down and then reconsider your situation animal wise; Ralph will be older and your heart won't be as raw.

I couldn't visit a shelter and I KNOW I won't have another cat while Cleo is alive but the temptation and pull on my heart strings would be to much to bear could I walk away from cats needing homes it would not be hard to convince my heart I could take another cat or two along with Cleo - but my head says NO.

So stay away from the shelters and step away from the RSPCA centre my friend until 2007 at least.

Karen

[Moli]

I agree with everything Kazz has said, let things settle, Clem will get back to normal, and a few months down the line think again....You will know if the time is right to get a kitten....

[Luke]

Thankyou ladies-it sounds silly but sometimes when others 'say' things along the same train of thought of what you had "niggling" away-it helps!!

[Kazz]

Luke remember STEP AWAY from the kittens

[Mags]

Personally Luke, I think it is far too soon after Elsa.........also you haven't had Ralph all that long have you?

I totally agree with all that Kazz has said....you need to give yourself time and not make any rash decisions. Let your household settle down again properly first.....

[dandysmom]

I thoroughly agree with what al the wise ladies before have said...too soon. Let things settle down & your heart heal; think about next year...(((hugs))) And pat Clementine for me!

[Donna]

I agree with all the above too - let you household settle. There are lots of pets and with Elsa going and another arrival - it is all just getting confusing for the pets that are living there!!!!

I say give it a break for a bit Luke x

[Hreow]

Do you need more votes for "follow you gut feeling and wait"?
It does help if you get your instincts confirmed by people whose opinion you respect, doesn't it?