Conference misery::feline_v1

    Go for two, but then again, why stop at two ....
    
    
    Lisa plus Pookie, Rolf and Florence.
    

    I second the motion for two...everyone needs a playmate!!!
    
    I'm sure they will amuse each other, kittie toys seemed to help
    keep down the curtain and plant destruction too!!!
    
    
    Go for it!!!
    
    Linda..Aggie-cat, kiki, B.C., Phred, Truf-alufigus and Iko-san.
    (F(eline) TROOP

    I would go for at least one more!  It cuts down on the distruction a
    bored kitty can get done.  Introduce them when they are young, it's 
    easier that way.  

    i would of never gotten verne without shirl, and vise versa.  they are
    sister and brother (although we thought they were sister and sister;
    thus the name la'verne and shirly, but we had to change la to verne
    alone and now he seems fine with it)  %^)
    
    i think that you should keep the sexes different too, i have noticed
    that verne is more playful and shirl so timid that he brings out the
    playfulness in her that i never have seem to do.
    
    i just wouldn't be able to stand it in work thinking about the poor
    kittie alone during the day.  you will also notice that watching the
    two play is a natural high.. they are so cute together!
    
    go for it!
    
    cj, verne and shirl
    

    I defintely second the motion to two kiddies!  My two, plus the dog,
    keep each other company while I'm at work.  All three of them also
    keep an eye on each other when they do go outdoors.  It does give
    me some comfort when I'm working to know they have each other.
    
    Nancy, Ralph, Alice, and Kiley

    
    	re: .0
    
    	I think you'll get an almost unanimous "yes, two!" in here.
    	Most definitely get another kitty....
    
    	JJ and Brandi, Sasha, Chloe & Audrey!
    

    
    I have one and wish I could have another but my SO says "NO".  I would
    go for a second kitty.  It will be fun to watch them play together.
    
    Val and Rusty

    
    It depends on what you want.  I have 2 cats, a brother and sister.
    They play and enjoy each other.  The did, however, wreck the house
    for the first year of our lives.  Discipline didn't work and since
    we couldn't let them outdoors, they used up their energies on our
    furniture!
    
    2 friends of mine each have 1 kitty.  Bea is an indoor kitty. 
    Ashley is became an outdoor kitty at 6 months.  Bea is 8 months
    old and a holy terror.  She is a friendly, playful kitty with a
    great disposition and normal mischiveous mind.  Ashley doesn't much
    like humans anymore, except for her Mommy, my friend.
    
    What I think this all means is that no matter what, your kitties
    will probably trash your house.  If you have one indoor kitty, I think
    they'll need human attention more.  If you have two kitties, I think
    they'll be more independant but still like you.  I'm not sure
    what Ashley's disposition means.
    
    I think that if you're concerned about house damage then you should 
    either declaw them or let them outside.
    
    Good luck!
    Rachael
    

         Sorry to be the oddball here, but I vote for one.  My cat,
    Perseus, is an only cat and doesn't suffer from boredom.  When I first
    got him, I left him in his bedroom to prevent him from tearing the rest
    of the house.  But before you all get horrified at this, this only
    lasted a couple of months until I felt comfortable at leaving him
    outside for the day while I worked (I was worried about him getting
    lost or something).  Since we had no children at the time, he received
    lots of attention from us.  We played ball, hockey, etc.  He's been
    with us for 5 1/2 years and I do not regret him being an "only".
    

    in reply to the person with the other half that doesn't want another
    kitty, give them time!!!  my girlfriend's husband was the same way, but
    they (riley and joanie) helped convince after a few months.  (i think
    she also told him that riley wouldn't do so much damage with a friend
    but that wasn't the only reason he opted for another one.)
    
    and in response to the outdoor kitty not liking people very much-  i
    think it has something to do with their bein' outside so much.  its
    like the cat that plays fetch is usually an indoor cat.  once the cat
    goes outside, it no longer is amused with the fetch game... because
    there are more interesting things to fetch outside!
    
    ya know?  just rambling, i agree that everyone in here is going to say
    two!  

    Two!  
    
    RE:  .10.  My husband was against a second.  I lived in VT at the 
    time, and he lived in RI.  But his approval was important to me 
    since we planned a future together.
    
    Anyway, I bargained for the second.  (Gave up chewing gum; Steve
    didn't like that habit of mine.)
    
    Then, one Saturday, Steve decided he wanted an outdoor kitty, 
    and we got a third that weekend. 
    
    Never give up!  I would vote for two over three, though, I think.
    Too much litter-cleaning!  ;')
    

      
      My wife HATED cats...(She never lived with one...just knew the white
    one her friend had that loved to jump on her lap every time she wore
    black...)...then one day she was in the basement and came up to tell me
    that a cat was down there....I suggested feeding it and leaving some
    water...so..it stayed. We think it was tossed out of a car in front of
    our house.. A week later it came up the steps and began to cry...I
    suggested letting it in.. Julie was worried aobut the dogs hurting
    it...I wasn't, since the cat's "armed"... So "Miss Meow" came in and
    became part of the family.. Then "Smokey", our three-legged male came
    along from a friend...then "Cookie.......and "Stormy" (found in a
    terrible storm in Maynard...nobody claimed her)....and finally "Luke",
    a Tom who had been abandoned that was terrorizing the neighborhood( Had
    him 'changed' and his front feet 'dis-armed' to prevent bloodshed..
    
      Add those up and me and my "cat-hating" Julie have 5 now...and 11
    dogs...and ALL of them get along just fine and dandy. It's a PANIC to
    see "Cookie", a very petite lady, washing the face of an 80 pound dog
    while he's laying on his side on the couch softly moaning in absolute
    extasy...
    
      Go for 2...then 3...etc...etc....etc........
    
      ;-}
    
    
      John Mc
      

    Watch out!.....it's a contagious disease...."cataholicism"
    Once you get hooked, you can't stop!!! :-)  :-)  :-)
    
    Lynne & Casey, B.K., Rusty & Pepper

    I have an Aunt who swears that a cat in a one-cat household enjoys
    being an only cat.  I think it depends on the cat.  Of our four, Nikki
    and T.K. were former ferals who depended on other cats for company. 
    Nik is very dependent on T.K. and sticks to him like velcro.  Wherever
    one is, the other isn't very far.
    
    Murdock enjoys all cats.  He is very easygoing and wants to be
    everyone's friend.  Kelsey is happiest when the cat count is low; I
    have noticed a big change in his temperament since we dropped from 5 to
    4.  He is friendlier and more affectionate.  Kelsey is the first cat to
    complain when an unknown kitty infringes on his territory.
    
    I agree with the previous noter who said to introduce them early,
    before they become set in their ways.  My vote is the more the merrier! 
    Unfortunately, what I want isn't always best for the cats.
    
    As for husbands, they can definitely be worn down when it comes to
    adding another.  My argument has always been that I am the one who
    feeds them, scoops/changes the litter, and pays for all of the vet
    bills.  Why shouldn't I be entitled to more?  :^)
    
    --Roberta
    

    Thanks for all the replies!!!  I still can't decide though....  I
    really would love one more but since we live in a small apartment, I
    wonder if it would be too 'crowded' for them....  And you're right,
    either way I'm sure the house will get trashed!!  Hmmmm.... I guess
    I'll have to sleep on it.
    
    Just in case, does anyone know of available kitties about 7 weeks
    old?  ;-)
    
    Thanks!
    Beth

    I'm in the Southern N.H. area, by the way!
    
    

    
    	I know where there are a LOT of adorable kittens...
    	The Nashua Humane Society..... lots of kitties, young
    	and old just waiting for someone to love them.
    

    BTW, my four housecats share a two bedroom ranch with us,
    and even in this small house, they can disappear!  :-)
                         
    L-

      Definately save another life!   Get 2 or 3 or 4 or more!
    
      I have 8 right now,  always subject to additions of course.....
    
      I have had many, many cats in my life, and had them at my parents
    when I was growing up,  dozens of them at the family farm,  and never
    have I known a cat that "trashed" anything!  So I wouldn't be too quick
    to assume you will have your house wrecked.  I had never even heard of
    such a thing happening until I read some of the antics in this file
    about some crazy kitties.  I guess I'm lucky or whatever,  but I sure
    don't find cats to be destructive,  at least not if you treat them like
    people.....
          
     good luck with #1 and 2 and 3 or whereever you have the ability to
    stop!
    
                          Denise and the gang of 8!

    I worked on my husband for 2 years to add another cat.  Finally
    2 months ago we got Maggy to be a sister for 2 year old Bucky. 
    It took Buck a good month to get used to her -- he was definitely
    spoiled.  I would recommend getting a second one when the first
    is still young if possible.  Both my brother and sister have 3 cats
    (and a spouse!) in their 1 bedroom apartment, and have no problems
    whatsoever.
    
    It'll definitely keep your first cat younger by having a playmate
    to be silly with.
    
    Robin, Bucky and Maggy

    2.  Keep in mind that there may be some initial upheaval
    as they get used to each other.  
    

    I have read in reputible sources (the names of which I can't remember
    at the moment) that cats in multi-cat households live longer.  How
    true that is, I don't know, but its a great excuse or more kitties ;-)
    
    As far as all cats being destructive - I don't agree.  I think
    it very much depends on the house, the cats (ages, personalities,
    energy levels etc), and on the human's expectations.  I have the
    Franklin Mint Carousel horse collection on my diningroom table, I
    also have several nicknacks on a shelf in the livingroom.  There has
    only been one small casualty in the last year.  And that's with 7
    adults and 7 kittens having full run of the house.  (Having made
    that statement now, I'll probably find the ceramics in pieces
    when I get home tonight ;-)
    
    While I don't think 6 or 8 or 12 cats is for everybody, I do agree
    that with a few exceptions, any cat will be happy to have company -
    especially a kitten.   So definitely, I say go for a 2nd cat.  It
    won't take much more effort on your part to care for 2 vs 1 and your
    current kitty will be much happier.  I do believe that a playmate
    helps direct the energy into non-destructive play.
      Nancy DC

    
    i couldnt decide whether to take 1 or 2 but other friend
    cat-owners convinced me that 2 was the way to go
    now i agree completely, as someone else said, its a high
    watching them play together, sleep on top of each other,
    clean each other
    i also have had no destruction, i keep scratching posts
    everywhere and they use them a lot.  i will say when they
    were real small it got a little dizzying watching them chase
    each other around the house 
    as far as being in a small apartment, i spent a month this summer
    in one and in that case i was definitely glad i had two - they
    could keep each other company and the size of the area didnt
    matter as much
    ellen/buco/cino
    

    THANKS!!  I think I'm sold.  This weekend will be adoption #2!  I can't
    wait!!
    
    Beth
    
    P.S.  I'll keep you all posted on how it goes!

    Great news! Keep us posted!!
    
    Lisa plus PR&F
    

    
    
    	Yippee!  We look forward to stories...
    
    	JJ and the four furfaces....
    

    Congradulations to the expectant mother.  ;')

    I believe you made a great decisions.  Just beware...as a previous
    noter stated "Cats are contagious".  I started with 1,,,then 2,,,then
    3,,,then 4 and then finally 5.   Of course after number two...my
    hubby said no more.   But you know what...he's worse then I am because
    he is the one that convinced me to keep 4 and 5.  Thank god I have
    him and all my babies!
    
    Please keep us posted.
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, Barkley, Chloe, and Anges)
    

    .22
    
    >cats in multi-cat households live longer.<
    
     Of course they do...would any cat leave even a dish of food left
    uneaten for a rival, or a lap vacant?  Mr. Tiggerini had Georgie
    Peakems to spar points with, now he has Chuckie Cheese.  Its a constant
    round of power points--he who dies with the most cans of cat food
    opened wins.
    
    Three and me
    

      One little item of interest...
    My wife uses those plastic laundry baskets...you know---the kind that
    break about a week after you get them??
    
      Instead of tossing them out though, we've kept 3 of them...filled
    with old raggedy T-shirts, torn towels, etc. that we would have tossed
    out anyway... We keep the baskets about 1/3 full, and they are always
    full of cats...sometimes as many as three in one basket...
    
    JM

    Don't be surprized, or at all upset if there's a little hissing
    when you bring in #2.  Ignore them and they'll be chasing around and
    playing in no time.  
      Nancy DC

    
       When I added number 2 there was about 2 days of hissing and now they
    chase each other all over.  They really love each other.  Dandy is two
    and Missy (Misty) is 8 months.  Both have been fixed and have great
    personalities.  
       You won't be sorry you added another.  They are great company when
    you work all day.
    
       Good Luck!
    
    

    
     I've just added number 2 and contemplating number 3 !! ( But my SO
     doesn't want to hear it 8^(. ) We thought our female Bogey (14 months)
     would have a real hard time adjusting to a new little guy and it
     would take weeks for her to accept him. Boy did we underestimate her.
     It took about 3 days for Bogey & Bijou to settle down together !! I
     thought this to be pretty quick considering some of the notes I've
     read in here stating WEEKS. I say go for it !!!!!
    

    We got 2 half-sisters (Ophelia and Desdemona) for my Mom for Mother's Day 
    after our only-cat of 18.5 years had to be put to sleep in February, and 
    they are a riot together! I can't imagine ever having just 1 again!  The 2 
    funniest things are that Ophelia after being totally hiss and spit to
    our boxer, has adopted him as her dog, her best friend, the one she
    loves more than anything in this world and he her.  He really doesn't
    pay attention to Des but Ophelia is his cat!  The other thing is the
    way that one cat will do something wrong and get yelled at for the
    'indiscretion' then 2 seconds later the other will do the same thing to
    see if they are more special and can get away with it.  The funny thing
    is that they each think that they are the special one!
    
    They're a pair, alright!
    
    Kristine_who_is_usually_read-only_for_no_real_reason!
         

    Well, I did it!!  Last weekend I adopted kitty #2 (Sheba's brother).
    They get along GREAT (maybe because they're from the same litter?) and
    are a lot of fun to watch.  I've already taken 1/2 a roll of film of
    just them!!!  
    
    They are going for their first kitty check-up this Saturday morning!
    
    Proud new mother,
    Beth (Sheba & Max)
    
    P.S.  Thanks everyone for helping me with my decision!

    Congratulations!!  I KNOW you made the right decision.  
    Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!
    

    Please keep us informed and congratulations to your new addition.
    
    Sandy