How to replace the irreplaceable

[ms_jinxme]

My absence has been a lengthy one this time - it’s been a strange phase since coming back from my trip, with a lot of deep thoughts not yet ready to be put into words. Whilst trying to settle these new directions forming in me, December was also pretty much overwhelming me with a lot of unexpected, warm invites! All cherished & impossible to say

Comments

[evil_mogwai]

I agree with you that you should meet the pet rather than choosing from a picture and description. Animals do have personalities.

Good luck with meeting a few, hopefully one will choose you.

[ms_jinxme]

Paws for life have arranged so I can meet the foster carer of their suggested cat, so to their credit they are trying to be accomodating before even having vetted my boat yet ~ seeing him tonight, and all the Battersea cats this afternoon. :-)

[alixandrea]

We managed two cats on Helena just fine until one of them decided she didn't like the other or living on a boat. I'm still convinced to this day that she got seasick!

I know other boaters who have also had two cats without any problems, so you should be fine. :-) Best of luck in choosing your new companion!

[ms_jinxme]

Thank you! It's really difficult as I am trying to find a personality far more than a 'pretty cat'.

But: besides vet costs, I'm only really concerned the atmosphere on the boat may become too hectic for the cats as they try to negotiate each other & me. Being two on your boat & having two cats, did you not find you stumbled on them all the time?

[alixandrea]

Not really - most of the time if either of us were coming along the corridor the cats would skedaddle either onto or under something (the bed/wardrobe/cupboards) or run/walk ahead of us. There were a few times when Ziggy was very little that he'd get under our feet when we came in late at night/in the dark (the light switch was some way from the door) but he soon learned that we couldn't see in the dark! Sometimes both cats would lie together (back when they were still talking to each other) in the corridor, but usually they either move if you were coming past or stay put so you could step over them.

I think as long as you take your time moving around the boat and try to be aware of where the cats are you should be fine. You could think about giving them places to go/sleep/hide that are out of the way of your feet - such as radiator cradles, cat beds or a den under your bed perhaps...

[ms_jinxme]

Haha, that was the first time I'd come across the word 'Skedaddle' - I had to look it up! ;-)

Cool, that gives me an idea of it. I had already planned to re-arrange my boat slightly to give a cat or two the possibility to have more than one corner to claim as their 'escape pod', so seems I had a good hunch. :-)

[alexmc]

annafdd used to do some volunteer work for The Mayhew which is in North West London (Kensal Green) and may be suitable for you.

http://www.mayhewanimalhome.org/

[ms_jinxme]

Ah, Mayhew was where I got Happy. Been there twice now, but no cat has stood out... if today fails too, I might go back & check again. Mayhew was actually the only place two years ago that I approached that were ok with me living on a boat, so they were on the top of my list! :-)

[alexmc]

Anna should have photos of a cat rescue home which we saw in Amsterdam... The home was on a boat :-)

[ms_jinxme]

*laugh* Well that would silence any nay-sayers I come across at the catteries! ;-)

[elfy]

Haha, I just watched the Puss video ... I have to admit I really had to laugh at the amout this little fellow drools :D *amused* *drip drip drip*

[ms_jinxme]

Might be why he's been there for six months, poor sod.. ;-P

[ms_jinxme]

O, no! Just checked again & he's at one of their side centres which I can't get too. Damn... :-(

[sushiho]

Best of luck with your search for the cat(s) that are right for your and you right for them. The pair that want to stay together may be a good thing if they're very used to each other's company. Sounds like you are bringing many good things into your life in the months ahead :-)

[ms_jinxme]

Heh, you've read me well: it is very much part of a big picture. Last two months have been a constant overview, with a lot of difficult thoughts & feelings - some still being processed. Although a lot in my past has been good, they have come with many destructive side elements - & I had to look back & confront myself whether those would ever change. I think, so far, the answer is no. And in consequence of that, the new answer is to cut away what can never, long term, be good for me (or the life I wish to have). It's really about where I want to be the rest of my life. And two years from now I want to be sure I've set everything in place to take the step there. :-)

[sushiho]

I'm fully in support of people knowing that *they* are the people that can change things in their lives - so many people don't seem to grasp that things they don't like about or in their lives, can be changed if only they choose to do so (or perhaps, a lot of people just don't accept that it really is up to them to choose). But sounds like you have everything in your power to make what you want happen, and are also fortunate enough to know what you want, so good wishes to you on that front!

Also, I am curious - do you have a catflap on the boat? I guess you must do, so the cats can come and go through the day when you're at work? Sorry Mr Drippy is too far away for you - but what about the pair that want to be homed together? I am sure the right cats will be found at some point, sometimes you can't rush these things but just keep trying & looking. Looking forward to pictures when you do find them!

[ms_jinxme]

I do have a cat flap - but it's broken, so I will have to order a new one. Mr Drippy found a home very quickly, so he's definitely out of my reach now! But I've been viewing some cats since & will give update soon