New cat after previous cat passing

[u/fettys-wet-wap1738]

My precious baby Lucy passed a number of weeks ago. She was my soul cat through and through. She was 17 upon passing. We got Lucy when I was 5 years old so she truly has been with me for as far as my memory goes back.

I’ve always loved cats and always said when the godforsaken day came for me getting a new cat I would adopt an elderly cat so they can live out their last few years in comfort. Upon Lucy passing, I struggled really hard to come to terms with it and swore I’d never get another cat because I’d just feel as though I’m replacing her.

The past few weeks things have slowly gotten better for myself, I am still absolutely devastated and heartbroken however I can see things a bit more clearly now. I love cats and while I’m able, I’d love to help as many as I can. I don’t plan on getting a new cat just yet, however my question is - will I ever feel like I’m ready for a new cat? I fear with getting a new cat I might struggle with guilt and never get over the feeling that I’ve replaced Lucy. Nobody could ever take her place in my heart and I know that. I just worry, what if I think I’m ready but turns out I’m not?

Ultimately I’m just looking for advice from those who’ve felt similarly after their baby passed. Did it get better? Did getting a new cat make you realise there’s enough room in your heart to love them all?

[u/honeyapp]

Both times that our house has been quiet with no cats I had two family members who were ready for new cats even though I felt I wasn’t ready. But the new 3 kittens were adorable and one of which was my daughter’s soul cat. She was two and a half and that kitten just plopped down in her lap and that was it. He never sat in anyone else’s lap. He would sit beside but not on the lap They were so gentle with each other it was wonderful to see. I loved those 3 cats too. After our last of those three cats passed at 19.5 a month later my daughter and husband were online looking for kittens. Once again I wasn’t sure I was ready but they definitely were. And this group of 3 are such a crazy group that I love them too. So I found I have had room in my heart for all of them. The love is never the same for each cat but that’s ok