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My theory, and also the theory of my mom as well, is you can never have too many cats. LOL. However, we know there is a limit too. Never get more than you can take care of or pay attention to. That's a big no-no in my book. I might have lots of kitties and my mom might have lots of kitties but we try to love each one equally and always provide them with more than enough of what they need. I think it is a great idea you are considering an older cat too. That's very compassionate of you. I hope you get your third kitty. Good luck.

Hi Dana! How is everything? What's happening with James?

How sweet of you to consider an older cat. When my aunt passed away unexpectedly, I didn't hesitate to bring her two cats, ages 1 and 16, into my home. I couldn' let anything happen to them since she loved them so much. I figured that the older of the two would spend his final years with me, but I would be able to find a home for the 1 year old. But, when I friend came to see Charlie, the younger cat, he fell in love with the older cat too. I cryed when he told me that he would take both of them, so that they could stay together. I say go for the older cat. Your hubby may want to kick me for this advise. lol

as many as u can take care of them that mean mentally physically and there environment there i have 4 cats in my home mine and my sister 4 dogs some people say its a lot but i say if u can take care of them its on u

Dana - Sir James is STILL at the shelter? Oh my Goodness! I thought you would have taken a firm stand from all of the support that we all gave you, and Git'er Done! Husbands will sulk, stew, storm, stamp their feet 'cause we (not me) let them. They are just little boys, in big boys' clothes! He will get over it! Your kitties will love Sir James, they may spat and hiss a little, but they can go sulk with hubby! Well I will get off of my soap box! Just don't let him get away!!!

If you asked my husband he would tell you five or six as long as they don't smell up the house. Now me two tops but I am not a cat lover. Maybe your husband is not a cat lover. Maybe mention that the cat may not live long and you want too make its last days as great as they can be. I know that would work for me, but I am a softie for almost anything my kids decide to "take care of" that I end up taking care of it.

I agree with Brea and deedee. A trial basis is a great idea. And making sure everything is clean and smelling fresh is good, too. And now, how many of us have gone in the bathroom and smelled something not right...that wasn't from a cat? ;)

Sorry ladies.....nothing new to report. My husband has not changed his mind just yet....I am slowly working on him. I don't want to push too hard or it may end the talks all together....holiday weekend coming up......going to try again after a few cold beverages. :)

Dana......Update PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have two rescued snowshoe siamese and my daughter has 3 rescued cats. I feel if you have the space and financial means to take of the cats 3 is fine. I think its wonderful of you to want to help these cats. I think if one gets 8 or higher its to much as one is not able to give the attention to the pets they need. Each pet needs love and cuddle time to. Also I feel when you get to that many the word "horader" is a concern. A hint that may help you is one should have at least one litter box per cat. I acutally have 4 boxes for 2 cats. Each cat needs their own box. I have a two story home so keep 2 on each floor. Believe me they keep them full even though they are kept clean daily. Also each should have their own food dishes this helps keep down illness as well. Also at least 2 water dishes. I keep water dishes on both levels of the house.This way if one doesn't feel to well the others hopefully have a lesser chance of becoming ill if its a bug. I think your heart is right. With your husband I feel it would be fair and mre of a partnership if you both went to pick out a cat. He would feel more involved with the whole process. Sometime surprises are not always a good thing.Hear him out he may have a good reason for not wanting another. You are an angel for taking care of the "furbabies" and I thank you as a cat/dog lover. You are a hero!

James is a handsome, distinguished looking gentleman. He would make a great "Grandpa".

Three cats are really no different than two cats. You would be wise to add an extra litter box, you'd need to buy that much more cat food, and your vacuuming would increase a bit. Otherwise, I've found there's plenty of love to go around three as opposed to two.

Another thing to consider is the extra veterinary bills. Seniors may require more care than a younger cat. Many people do not think about the expenses of medicated food for cats in renal failure, or daily insulin injections for cats who develop diabetes.

Also keep in mind that every cat is an individual, and as such not everyone will get along. Be prepared for the possibility that James and your two kitties may not be compatible, even if your husband does agree to adopt him. You can't force cats to be friends any more than you can force people to be friends.

I do not advise a "surprise" for your husband. It is never wise to go behind someone's back to do something as big as adopting a pet. Adopting a new pet is a huge responsibility and it is of utmost importance that everyone in the family be on the same page and agree on the same pet.

If James is at the shelter, I'd suggest talking to your husband about fostering him. If he is already in a foster home, perhaps you could schedule a meeting for you and your husband to meet James in person. No harm in looking, right?

I have to wonder if your husband doesn't want a third cat because of the added responsibility, or perhaps the fear of getting attached to a senior pet and having to say goodbye sooner than he'd like to? This is a common problem with finding homes for senior pets. The older they are the harder they are to adopt because few people are willing to make that commitment.

I wish you the best of luck with talking your husband into adopting James. It sounds like you have more than enough love to give a third cat.

My question is IS HE THERE YET???????????

I just looked at James' picture. Oh my...is he a great looking cat! He looks like a real sweetheart! James has some good years left in him. Hopefully your husband will see the value in bringing him home. A trial week end trial visit would be a great idea. Keep us all posted and let us know how James is doing!

Hopefully your hubby will warm up to the idea of another cat, give him a little time maybe he could go to the shelter and visit James just to get to know him a little better. My husband only wanted one dog in our little house ever and we ended up having 4 dogs, a cat and a guinea pig. He always sounds like he doesn't want them but he is the first to say its good we have them and they have each other.

I think I can help a little. If you really think you can help this cat and you can devote enough time to each and everyone, then you should sit him down and explain, "There is an older cat at the rescue and I don't think he is going to get adopted soon if at all. I feel that he should have a second chance at life, and I feel we can give that to him." It sounds very thought out and doesn;t sound like its a quick decision. This should show him that you have thought it out.

James looks like a real sweetie pie what are you waiting for bring him home and your husband will soon realize what a nice little kitty he is! Think about it older cats DON'T get adopted if you don't adopt James he.......he may not get a second chance.

~*Kelez*~

With Stray Rescue, it is not as easy as just "grabbing your keys and picking him up". I have to fill out an application and then they contact me, may want to visit my home to make sure that I am not a collector, etc....which is a good thing that they don't just give their rescues to anyone. I am working on it though.

I am still not sure that I have the guts to use the "surprise!" tactic with my husband (I know..I know... it makes me look like a wimp!). I told him last night about this journal and all of the responses. He laughed...he couldn't believe that I had so many people telling me to just do it. Ha! He thought it was very funny. He did not say "no" about James last night. So I think he may be softening to the idea. I'm hoping to find out from Stray Rescue today if James is in a foster home or if he is at the shelter. I'm taking the first steps while still working on my husband.

I'll definitely keep you all posted. Thanks for all of your suggestions...and the great laughs! :)

You haven't gotten him yet Dana?? What are you waiting for???? Got get him.....He needs to come home.

Dana, today is the day to go and get Sir James of High Ridge! He is waiting on you with his bags packed! Do not let him down. Your husband is a grown man, and yes he may sulk for a while, but it will do him good. But you will be doing better, because you are giving a senior a new lease on life. Now grab your keys, jump in the car, and get Sir James. I will waiting on an entry that he has made his Regal appearance!!!! Go Girl!

WHOA Dana,
You sure are getting alot of help here!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh I love his white mustache!!!!! He's such a handsome boy. How can anyone look at that face and not fall in love. He'll sit on your husbands lap or do something silly cat-like and your husband will laugh and fall for him too. Your husband will see how much you are in love with the cat and he won't make you take James back.

It can take a while for adjustments when bringing home a new cat. Feliway is a great tool to calm all the cats nerves and proper introductions are important. Don't feed him next to your cats just yet. It might be good to give him his own room if things aren't going as well as things will. There are tons of websites and advice on this site to help you with the transition and introductions.

James is a handsome boy!!!!!! I'm in love with him already.

I have three cats and they are just wonderful together. I think it helps that there are three of them so they don't get bored when my fiancée and I are away. Also, having three they are less likely to bother me and more likely to bother each other!

I just went to the website and saw him (James).. he is gorgous!!

You should go and get the cat. That cat needs you too much. One more cat is not a problem as long as you are taking care of them all. Bring the cat home and chances are your husband will fall in love with it.

Have you gone and got him yet???? What are you waiting on! Don't let this one get away from you! He is definitely a keeper!!! Go, Girl, Go!!!!!!!

I have 6 wonderful cats and 2 spoiled rotten dogs, and ONLY 1 HUSBAND!! Now, don't you think that he feels lucky? I NEED all of the other CRITTERS to make me HAPPY when HE is AWAY!!!! Now if you believe this, Girl there is no help for you! Ask hubby what his favorite meal is: Crunchy or Soft 9 Lives Tender cuts, or Seafood Grill? Or would he prefer mashed potatoes, steak gravy, steak, and you? He gets you and a great meal, IF you get the cat, OR hand him the can opener so he can dine with the critters. Go get the cat(s) and get on with life. He has toooo much invested to divorce ya over a couple of critters! And if he is that macho, show him the door!

Dana, Go and get him. Worry about your husband later. Not many people are willing to give an older cat a chance. He'll get over it.

Ladies, please use your imagination.....Do I need to SPELL OUT THE SECRET to getting your way with your husbands:) It works every time...HEHE

When I got my third dog, my reason was to give Rex a younger playmate as Sugar isn't a spring chicken anymore and it was harder for her to keep up with a playful 4 year old lab. My husband was against it (well I didn't tell him until after Nacho got here) and he didn't think that Rex would accept him. But thank goodness it all worked out. Having two is good, but to add a third gives you the chance to get even closer to your animals. Rex and Sugar have both shown personality traits they hadn't before-and Nacho is the perfect blend for them. But I am thinking of adopting another one. His name is Elvis and he is living in the Galveston shelter. So, if you get your husband to agree on a third let me know your secret so I can use it on my husband.

BTW- I love James. Just look at that face.

I have 3 cats that were "drop-off's." Really they were rescued by me from the pound. I am not technically lying. They were dropped off at the pound:) A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do to save a life:)

BTW - Here is a link to the cat that I am considering adopting.

http://www.strayrescue.org

I've always found three to be the perfect number of cat. I have 6 and don't feel they each get enough attention- of course I have 3 dogs too, which doesn't help. But three is good. If one doesn't want to snuggle or play the second and third may be in the mood for the same behavior. Three makes a really nice little community. When I've had three cats they always seemed to be particularly happy and loving.

Well I don't think 3 would hurt being that I have 7=) If you feel that is what is right then do! Follow your heart! And I think it would be good for the cat! Tell your husband that he is out numbered and there are to many voting against him=)

I have two cats and I think that's enough cats.... but then Attaboy came along. He's technically a senior. He looks like he might be as old as 8. He's been abandoned. He's so sweet and friendly.

We don't really want a third cat but Attaboy choose us. We're taking to get him fixed in a couple of weeks. He's already had his rabies shot at a rabies clinic I found for him. I found a rescue group that will allow us to take him to adoption fairs if he passes his disease tests. He also needs to pass the 'not spraying in the house' test, which will be a tough test for an older guy like him who hasn't be neutered.

I was looking for an older cat when I got my second cat. My first cat is 13. I found a young cat and adopted her instead. She's maybe 2 or 3. My young cat has special needs and we weren't intimidated by the extra care she requires.

I think it's great that you're considering getting an older cat. I like the idea of calling her 'grandma' and 'cat-sitter' for the two youngsters. I think your husband is afraid that it won't stop at 3 or it will be too much hair or too expensive in vet bills. Just calm his worries whatever it might be. Talk to him some more and you might change his mind.

I think that we should all gang up on him until he resigns his position as cat counter:) In all seriousness, if you feel the tug at your heart to do it, then I say go for it. Just work your magic right before you ask him again:):)

Adopting an older cat is the way to go. Most are bypassed as has been mentioned people want kittens.Maybe you can tell your husband that since you have a baby and a teenager, they need a grandmother to keep them in line!!! LOL

I think adopting a "senior" cat is a great idea. After living for 15, 16, or 17 years, how did this poor cat wind up in a shelter? Just because it's old, it's owner died, or went into a nursing home? Giving a senior cat a loving home for however many months or years is a very compassionate thing to do. He or she shouldn't live out its last days in a cage. Most people only want kittens, so good for you!