Not sure I should adopt her or not.

Sam is an adult female Bengal and in the last year she has had a less than ideal life. Her original owners had to give her up, and she was passed to one of the local CAT LADIES, where she is one of many, and gets very little attention.

My 17 year old female alley cat, Squeak passed away just before Christmas, and I have been offered Sam.

Issues-
1. I miss Squeak and not sure that I would give Sam a fair shake.

2. I have never had a pure breed cat

3. There is a dog in the household. A 2 year old hound cross, Dixie.

4. I work long hours and travel for work.

5. Mouser, indoor-outdoor cat desired

Thank you for any thoughts

What is Dixie like with other cats?

You do realise that Bengals are not like other cats? Not better/worse but VERY different.

Sam is not a replacement for Squeak, but will make her own space in your heart.

As an adult, if she is an indoor/outdoor cat then she should be fine while you are working, so long as there is someone to look after her. (Does Dixie go with you to work or when you travel?)

The only concern in your post that would ring warning bells to me is Dixie, but I know nothing about her!


Heather

Thank you for the reply,

Dixie is really mellow, she is out running or sleeping in her chair. Squeak totally dominated her and my folks 2 year old retriever. Dixie and Sam have met at Sam's house, Sam grew up with 6 Vizsla dogs- 2 in their prime and the rest elderly. She also seems to get a long with the large tom that is the shop cat where I work. Dixie can be very protective of my significant other.

James is home most of the time, recovering from a bad car wreck and is unlikely to work a regular job again. He's for bringing Sam home. She goes to him every time he goes over to Sam's. Her original owner is a friend of his. I did not want Sam last year because Squeak did not tolerate other cats, and was getting rather stiff. Looks like if Sam goes over she will be his cat.

Liz

Sounds to me like you have already made your mind up subconsciously - To give Sam a chance!
Dixie will probably be glad to have a more active playmate / buddy and you can guarantee that Sam will quickly be in control over a gentle and submissive dog! Especially if she is used to other dogs in her previous home.

I assume James is your sig other? How does he feel about working to keep the peace if Dixie does get jealous? I sounds like that may be the make or break issue. Whatever you decide - Good Luck!

NB: If you decide you can't re-home Sam, then get a few pics, and post them on the re-homing sticky ASAP!

If your hound has a good history with cats and you come up with a plan B if it doesn't work out, if you want to give it a shot, go for it. Make sure the cat has safe places up high from the dog and you take your time introducing them.

If you aren't ready for another cat yet, that is ok. Some people need time, others feel sad but also see it as their home has a spot as a perfect home for another baby in need.

Having a purebred cat isn't much different from having a mixed cat. Bengals tend to have more energy and are quirky, they can be kind of obsessive too. I have a mixed cat that can give my Bengal a run for her money any day though...so it really depends on the cat.

I had a family cat Tilly, a lovely Tabby who sadly passed away 4.5 years ago when she was 18 years old. I missed her everyday when I moved out of my parents house and more so when she was gone.

2 years ago my partner finally allowed me to have my own cats and I got my pair Nismo and Evo. The first couple of days I cried, I felt like I had betrayed by beloved Tilly, Nismo wasn't well (which really didn't help) and neither cat did the cute little things like place their paws around my finger like to hold it.

Then something snapped me out of it - these cats weren't my Tilly I should stop treating them like they were. From that day on Nismo and Evo have become my life - as they were always going to be but I didn't feel like they were replacing Tilly nor that I was betraying her by loving more cats.

Sam sounds like she's had a rough life so far and if you think you could offer her a forever home and your dog will be a good friend to her then I say go for it. The sadness of loosing a cat never really leaves but giving a home to another can be extremely rewarding.

Thank you for the posts.

Sam made the move, and brought her best friend with her. So I have gone from expecting to get a kitten at some random point in the future to two grown cats. They seem to be settling in well, and Dixie tries to wash their faces.

ah congratulations, sounds like Dixie Sam and her friend are going to be good friends.
Would love to see some pics!

Ditto - Well Done and pics, pleeeeeeze!

George2.jpgSam 1.jpg


Hello everyone,

Inserting pictures from my computer outsmarted me, and I don't have any stored in the CLOUD.

So I have attached 1 of Sam and 1 of her buddy George.

Aw, such beautiful babies!

Aww they are both beautiful! Congrats!

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