Please forgive me for going off-topic here, but I just want to say a big thank you to all of you here who helped me through slowly losing my beloved Baggy this summer - from the first signs of trouble, reflected in pain and bleeding from my pouch, and through to the misery of losing her. You gave me so much support and it really, really helped me. THANK YOU! Enclosed is Cleo, who we picked out today . She's 6 weeks old so we're getting her Thursday week. I'm convinced my general health improves from having a cat to cuddle after a long and stressful day. Hugs, Sophy

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Awww Soph, Cleo has the cutest pink nose!

Hey, I have a cat named Cleo too! She's an oldster, but very scrappy. Very cute pic. Plus, this is not off topic because it is well documented that pets have calming and healing effects.

Everyone should have one if they can.

Jan

Does DAMN BRIAN count as calming and healing pet?

kathy

I read somewhere that some pets, pug dogs especially, can be harmful for recovery. It makes sense.

Sue

Oh my goodness, what a face!! What a cutie!!
I hope she makes you feel better. There isn't anything much better than having a fur-friend!

Cleo does have a nice pink nose! I have a black and white cat named Scooter. 8 years old, 15 lbs., or so. He has a black nose and black foot pads. Eating and sleeping are his favorite things to do. I keep him strictly indoors. Got him at the SPCA. [ I have willed about half my assets to the SPCA and the other half to the CCFA, as I have no kids. ]

She's sooooooo sweet!

I know that Cleo will bring you lots of love and healing cuddles, just as Baggy did.

I'm so pleased you decided to get another kitten.

Luv & hugs

Shell

Soph, she's beautiful! My heart just melts at the sight of that little face - can you tell I'm a cat person? She will do wonders for your health.

Congratulations!

She's precious! I have two cats, Hobbes (who is a monster - weighs 18 pounds) and Dale Jr., and they're my babies! I volunteer for a rescue group, and we tell people all the time about the healing effect that animals have in your life. I'm sure that my two will pitch in when I'm post-surgery (step 1 of 2) in late November!

Thanks everyone I still blub when I think of Baggy, but Cleo is such a sweetie and I really can't wait to collect her. I've had loads more energy today than in the past months, getting the flat Cleo-proofed. I've warned the kids that it's like getting a baby in the house, only this one will learn to scale walls and get into the tiniest spaces!
Jan, our kids said they wanted her to be called Cleo; I have no idea where they got the name from, but it suits her. From what we saw, Cleo was quite the bruiser, play-fighting with one of her brothers all the time. Her mother was a sweet-natured, gentle cat and the kittens looked very healthy and harmonious. There was a pekinese dog there (not one of my favourite breeds, sorry) but it was so good-natured, licking the kittens and looking after them all. So I'm confident that Cleo has had a good start in life and has had lots of warmth and affection.
I have informed the kids that kittens' teeth itch...it's like having a piranha with fur, haha
Bodoni, Cleo will be mostly indoors too - with two large terraces to have the run of, so there will be plants and earth for her to create havoc in. We did look at a lovely 5-year-old male cat, but he would've really missed his big garden, so we said no. He needed a new home because of one of the family developing an allergy. For the kids it's nice to have the kitten stage, though. Cleo's mother was rescued herself - found as a newborn kitten in a cardboard box in the woods...GRRR!! It feels good to give one of her kittens a good home.
Thanks again, guys. All your pet stories really lift my spirits and yes, I swear it's healing
I have discovered that a Sophy without a pet is like a flower without water.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Soph,

Soph: I am so happy you are getting a kitty! I know how hard it is to lose a pet, and you can never replace that particular one - each and every one is always special in its own unique way - but we can open our hearts to additional pets who need homes and love. Kudos to you! Cleo is adorable and I'm sure will provide you with many good times and craziness as well.

We have six (!) cats and I also swear by their healing abilities. They know when I am down emotionally or not feeling well physically and are always there for me. When my husband had his last and most serious bout of UC and then after he had his colon removed and his j-pouch, etc. our youngest kitty insisted on staying in bed/on the coach with him the entire time, and when he could he laid right on his belly, like he was trying to heal it! They just know, I swear they do. Animals are a blessing from heaven.

I am in the middle of the fires in San Diego right now (evacuated yesterday but thankfully back home and safe) and tomorrow I want to start calling around to all the shelters to see how I can help as so many people had to drop off their pets when they fled the fires. These inncocent creatures rely on us and they deserve our help.

Congrats again Soph and best wishes for many years of happiness with sweet Cleo! Please post updates and photos when you can.

Hi Muggette,
Glad you're safe. I heard about the fires and immediately though of all of my J-pouch friends in the area. And of course, seeing Animal Rescue I've seen how evacuees can get forced to leave their pets behind when natural disasters hit. So your volunteer work is so valuable
Yes, when I get new pictures of Cleo I'll post them. I'm so excited!! It's like a cloud of sadness has lifted.

We're such softies...Cleo AND her brother, Oedipus, arrived in our home yesterday. They're adorable! Oedipus is a kind of latte colour with white paws, belly and chest. He's the cuddly one; Cleo is more reserved, but very sweet nontheless. They had a quiet first night without the crying and fretting that I'd expected - so our idea of getting two to keep each other company, paid off It's sooo nice to have cats again!

Cute cat! My wife really wants one, but I am allergic. We plan on getting a family dog (a low dander one) once our girls are a little older.

Enjoy.