Because We Are Appropriately Handling Our Grief

I've heard there are steps for grieving.

I don't know what they are.

Obviously.

Meet Chester.

The entire Palace was overwhelmed by all of your sweet comments yesterday. I laughed at some, I cried at some. Mostly, I was just so humbled that you took the time to send thoughts our way.

If you know any of our cat history, you know that Chloe was never very welcoming to Oliver.

And you know that is an understatement. For which I am not generally known.

However, it is now apparent that Oliver had no idea he was not liked.

He has been mourning, y'all. Out of his poor, shaved body comes this deep, sad, guttural cry.

Which is really funny.

But it is mostly sad.

And though he may be missing his hair just a little bit, I am pretty sure he is missing Chloe more.

Oliver has been searching every nook and cranny of our home. And making that noise.

Imagine if Chloe had been nice to him?

The Princess has cried a lot, too. And neither The King nor I can take that.

So, being the practical and responsible parents that we are, we have been relentlessly searching for a new kitten.

Our parameters were clear: we wanted another female Himalayan cat.

For about 30 minutes.

If the gas prices are getting to you and the economy is dragging you down, I have a suggestion...

Himalayan Breeding.

There is some serious coin to be made breeding the Himalayans.

Plus, they were either sold or in the womb.

So we looked for another kind of cat. And let me just tell you that there are some ugly cats in the world.

Rather quickly our new parameters became a cat that wasn't ugly and wouldn't require a loan.

So we found Chester in Oklahoma. He was the last of his litter and was kind of a bargain because he is supposed to have curly hair but doesn't.

(My dad is calling him "Discount".)

Oliver isn't happy about it just yet. He is now treating Chester just like Chloe treated him.

(But I'm sure he's embarrassed by his hair. Or lack thereof. So maybe it is just a defense mechanism thing. Don't you think Chester is wondering what the heck kind of cat Oliver is?)

Chester hasn't come downstairs yet. He has just been hanging out under our beds.

We're not sure if anything is going in him or coming out of him.

We're still really sad about Chloe. We are not even close to being over it. We won't be for a long time, I'm sure. No doubt we've rushed the replacement kitty thing.

But I just went in to check on The Princess, and I'm thinking we're gonna be ok...

Comments

[karen]

Congrats on the new baby!

I agree that our other animals grieve as well. When our old Basset died, our (then) youngest dog would keep looking under the deck for him. It was so sad.

Enjoy Chester. And I hope Oliver adjusts.

[Rebecca]

Sometimes getting a new pet IS a way of appropriately handling your grief. Looks like your daughter loves him. And that makes everyone's grief a little less, I think.

"Discount" -- I mean Chester -- is beautiful. Enjoy him.

[Queen Mother]

I must say that "Discount" is a really cute baby. If the Princess loves him, go for it!! Oliver will come around (or not). The haircut has reduced some of his hugeness so he may be trying to get his bluff in on "Discount". I know you all miss Chloe. I hope "Discount" gives you many years of joy. (you know the name is gonna stick)

[Nancy]

Awww! Too precious! What kind of discount cat is he?

[rachel]

Love 'discount' that is too cute.
So sorry for your's and Oliver's loss.

[Kat @ The Burb Blog]

I'm so sorry about Chloe. Maybe you can combine Chester and Discount and make him Count Chester. Doesn't that just beg for an awesome haircut? I'm thinking mowhawk, what with all that long non-curly hair and all. Good luck with the new baby, sometimes that is a good step in grief.

[Drama Mama]

He is soooo cute-
I am not a car lover- however my in laws had 2 persians when Big Daddy and I first hooked up- so they kind a grew on me-
My princess wants a kitty really bad- I might could handle one like Chester- he seems pretty mild??? I like the name Discount too! Should have named him that!
You know I'm all about the humor!

[Amy @ By His Grace]

What an interesting name...Oliver will come around and I think this is good for the princess!

[pattik]

B, now that is one cute kitten! Love
the blond hair and what a innocent
little face. He will be very happy and
loved living in the Palace. The new normal
will come within the Palace in due time.
I promise.

[Christie]

Oliver will come around, when that fur of his isn't so hideous. He's probably sad he couldn't make a good first impression on Discount (HILARIOUS, btw). I think you made the right decision. You're not replacing Chloe, you're just helping your little princess to find some happiness.

[Autumn Dahlia]

I am for the transferring of grief and turning it to love! (That sounded so hippy)

SQOOSHY OOSHY KITTY! I mean, er, he's cute.

[Jeni]

I'm glad you've gotten a new kitty! When my parents went through a similar thing several years ago, their "left-behind" cat was very depressed and moping and sad - until my Mom brought home two kittens. It perked up the poor lonely kitty, and brightened up the household, all at once!

I think before you know it the two kitties will be great friends. And I'm glad you've all got someone new to cuddle and love.

[ValleyGirl]

I'm glad to see we're not the only ones who deal with pet loss like this!!! I sometimes feel a little callous about it, but there's just a void that screams to be filled instantly. We seriously lowered our standards when we got our replacement puppy for the Rottweiler we had to put down in fall. Now we have a black lab/border collie mongrel, but hey, he only cost us $40 and we only had to go 2 weeks without a dog!

Your new kitty is beautiful and it looks like it's already feeling very loved.

[Lisa@Take90West]

Chester is really cute, glad he is making the Princess feel better!

[Headless Mom]

I heart Chester. Clearly cat love abounds in your family!

[Kelly @ Love Well]

Even if Oliver doesn't come around, just look at that little ball of fluff! Chester is ADORABLE! I just want to pick him up and cuddle him under my chin.

[Kellyn]

Chester is gorgeous! I love his fur color!
Everyone grieves in their own way, and you are doing the right thing for you. So glad that Princess has a new friend, and Oliver will adjust...once his fur comes back.

[Casa de Jules]

Welcome, Chester!

[Lisa]

Sweet, sweet kitty! Don't you wish they could just stay that size? We had a little yellow ball of fluff once--he grew into a mountain lion! Seriously, he is bigger than our dogs!! Looks like Chester is settling in just fine. Oliver will come around..... (?)

[New Diva on the Blog]

I have been out of the loop for a few days and was so sorry to come back to hearing of your loss. I am glad that some comfort has been found in Chester. Good thoughts to all of you!

[Pam]

I am sooooo sorry to hear of your loss. Just found your site a couple of days ago and really appreciate your writing style. I hope "all" learn to live in peace soon. Pam, South Bend

[jennifer gordon]

Personally,, I think this is the ONLY way to handle pet grief. It's a much needed distraction - and we all know that baby pets are a lot of work, which in turn provides tons of distraction!

Congrats! I think you totally did the right thing.... and he's so darn cute to top it all off!

Smiles,
Jennifer

[Fresh Girl]

What a handsome boy he is! I hope you all have many, many years to enjoy each other. There's no set time for when to get another pet after one dies -- it's what works best for you and your family. When my sweet Lil'Bit died at the young age of 3, I told myself I would never have another cat -- losing him was just too painful, but really, I LOVED having a sweet furry friend and hardly a week had passed before I began longing for another cat.

I know the Princess is going to love him!