We have two Himalayan Persians, half-sisters, who are ten years old. It occurred to me recently that these will be my last cats.

I've had a few dogs, but I've had a cat almost my whole life: Socks, Peter (Grandma's cat), Lochinvar, Samantha, Minou, Itchy, Fluffy, Cookie, Ivy, Cooper...and now Cindy and Peach.

Day-to-day care is no problem: feeding, brushing, etc. But the little vet episodes, cat box problems, barf-cleaning and the like keep getting harder and harder. We're both less steady on our feet and more trip-prone. We couldn't afford a major feline health situation.

Is it POSSIBLE that someday we might temporarily foster a cat? Possibly. But considering our age and health realistically, there will be no more kittens. Now I'm not going to ruin the next few years with Cindy and Peach with a gloomy attitude, but it does make me sad.

I get that. When I lost my previous therapy dog prematurely, I had resigned myself to him being our last & best. It was really my DW who pushed me into another. Her assessment was correct that, in our case, it wasn't really an option -- I literally need a therapy dog, despite the difficulties.

I had many doubts through puppyhood, often crying for no longer being able to do the things I did with the last (before he became a therapy dog). Every time, guess who it was that came to assuage my tears?
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Looking back, I think it was a mistake for me to resign myself that way. It was negativity. There will be plenty of time to assess the situation when you really need to, so why even contemplate it now? Stuff happens -- sometimes for the good/better.

Enjoy Cindy & Peach now. The future will sort itself out in its own time, so please forget about any sadness.
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Doc

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I can't imagine a life without a cat.

Hey blessings2You, don't be sad. Think about how much of a blessing YOU have been to all the pets which had the privilege of sharing their lives with you! It's so obvious that you have loved all your pets, and have taken care of them so well.

Take care of Cindy and Peaches, and more importantly, take care of yourselves.....