‘I keep thinking if I take him back today it won't be so bad because it hasn't even been a full 24 hours so we haven't had time to bond’: Guilt ridden woman struggling to move on from her soul cat, debates keeping her newly adopted cat child

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Sep 16, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Spending a lifetime with a cat, well, at least spending their lifetime together, is quite the achievement. And it does not come without more than a few funny stories, scary moments, and warm, loving memories along the way. But what is tough is finding the heart to move on after your soul cat has passed on to the next world.

To make space in your heart for the coming of a new kitty and to let them fill the void that your now gone cat used to so wonderfully fill with love and affection. And that is the story we have for you today, detailing one woman's journey from parting ways with her soul cat, to bringing home a new kitten which caused her to question if she had done the right thing, if she was actually ready to move on. But as it almost always goes, she was ready, she just needed to see it for herself.
 

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  • 01
    My soul cat passed 2 weeks ago and I was devastated. I got him as an older kitty and had him for 8 years, he passed at nearly 20 years old.
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 02
    The house has just felt so empty and I missed having a fluffy little creature around so I kept thinking about adopting another cat. I was worried I'd compare it too much to my old guy and not give it a fair
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 03
    chance so I kept trying to tell myself to wait but every day I'd be on the local shelter sites looking at cats. Yesterday I went to the shelter and ended up taking home a lovely 9- year-old boy. He's
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 04
    very sweet. He's mostly hiding which is to be expected but when he comes out he's constantly asking for pets and scratches. The problem is I've literally been crying since I brought him home. I didn't realize
    via Fancy_Basil6122

  • Yikes, yeah that is a heck of a lot to deal with especially at just a few weeks after having parted ways with your soul cat. Not to mention that this lady thought it would be a good idea to take on a cat who is also senior in age and might at best have another 5-6 years left in him before she has to go through this heart-wrenching process all over again.

  • 05
    how much I wasn't ready for a new cat until it was already too late.l keep thinking if I take him back today it won't be so bad because it hasn't even been a full 24 hours so we haven't had time to bond and he's only been in my room the
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 06
    past several hours. He hasn't had a chance to explore and get comfortable in the space. I'm very worried though because of his age and the fact that he's FIV+ that if I return him he'll have trouble getting adopted. I also just
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 07
    old cat being petted on the head while lying on its side
    via ChenPG via Adobe Stock

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    feel like the worst person ever for wanting to get rid of a cat so soon after taking it home. I never thought I'd be someone who would want to return a shelter cat, especially at no fault of its own.
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 09
    I have no idea what to do. If I keep him we'll probably bond eventually. He seems very sweet and loving. He's got a bit more energy than I'm used to but my previous cat was super chill since day one and just got
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 10
    lazier the older he got. I don't think he's even slept since I got him. I was up most of the night because I was hyper- aware of another cat in my space and he just wandered around my room most of the night, would come to me
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 11
    for pets, and would lay down on the bed now and then but eventually get back up to wander. I know he's just getting used to the space.
    via Fancy_Basil6122

  • Aww, this is such a sweet getting to know each other process. It sounds as though this senior kitten might have picked up on the situation that he has been put in and instead of freaking out that it is too much attention all at once he is helping his new hooman get through it gently. 

  • 12
    I just need some advice. I've got this self-imposed deadline of getting him back to the shelter today if I do decide to return him.
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 13
    Having him longer than that and returning him would make me feel terrible and I don't think I could do it. But I don't know if keeping him is the right thing. It hasn't
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 14
    even been a day so I know I'm probably just letting anxiety and grief get the better of me. All I can focus on right now is how much I miss my old cat and how much I wish I
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 15
    hadn't gotten a new one so soon. Has anyone else been through this recently?
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 16
    orange kitten smiling sitting down on a deck
    via lalalululala via Adobe Stock

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 17
    I just want to thank everyone who took the time to share their own stories with me and give encouragement. I
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 18
    didn't realize losing a pet could bring such a lasting pain but I wouldn't trade my time with George for anything. I know
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 19
    Frankie, the cat with me now, will never replace him, but I'm sure he and I will create our own bond. I'm going to
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 20
    miss George forever but it feels right to provide for another cat in need the same way I did for him.
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 21
    mnia... Look at it this way: imagine your kitty telling you "mom, I need you to do me a favor. My friend
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 22
    needs help and I need you to help him. He's a good boy". New kitty will not be replacing your old kitty. Give him a chance. When you get used to each
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 23
    other, tell him about your old kitty, tell him stories about how you loved each other. Cats are not dumb. And by the way, your old kitty will be proud of you and he will tell
    via Fancy_Basil6122
  • 24
    you so when you meet again when the time comes
    via Fancy_Basil6122

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cat bond time guilt child move struggling woman soul reddit story adopted thinking cat story Debates
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