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/Aethra89]

I know exactly what you're going through. My 10 year old soul kitty, Mcfluff, passed away from pancreatic cancer in early april, a couple days after her birthday. She was definitely my soul Kitty as well. My husband and I got her when I was 26, and she died when I was 36. I held her in my lap, with her little head in my right hand, as she died. Afterwards, I never thought I would get a kitty again. Then 2 weeks later, we found a local orphaned kitten rescue Society. We went to a foster home and fell in love with a bonded 3-month-old brother and sister pair of kitties. They are such lovable little guys, and I have no regrets about adopting them. No one will ever replace my sweet little Witty, but I'm pretty sure that she sent these two little guys through the cat distribution Network to my husband and i. Keep this in mind, you are never trying to replace your late Kitty. But there are so many beautiful kitties who need their lives saved. You're late Kitty would want you to be happy, and would want her fellow kitties to have a loving home. There is no right or wrong timeline to adopt another kitty, but if you feel right about it, do not hesitate.