Awww, I know how hard that is. My heartfelt sympathies.
I lost my first three Norwegian Forest cats within 10 months of each other. Two I lost 2 weeks apart while I was in still in Nebraska, then my first Norwegian, Gabby, who was 16, and came here to Georgia with me three years ago died three months after I arrived. I was devastated, he died in my arms, poor sweet boy. I found out he had cancer but never showed signs and acted fine. Two weeks after diagnosis he was gone. I will never get over losing those precious souls.
But now I have these two and they’re both young, Gabby 4 in June, and Invidia just turned 2. They both love to be combed. You can’t use a brush on these cats. However I found a wonderful mobile groomer who comes to my home and she combs them completely every six weeks to keep them perfect. Otherwise yes they mat and you really have to keep up with it.
They are worth the extra grooming though. I’ve never seen any other cats with personalities like this breed.
After I lost Gabby I was catless for the first time in 16 years. A dear friend, one of my other NFO’s former breeder, gently told me she hoped I could let another cat in as soon as the time was right and she couldn’t bear to imagine my without a cat. So that kind of gave me permission plus I was just moved here and away from all my friends and family. She found my wonderful Zander Grey, who was already 13 months old and his sale had fallen through. I am grateful every day I was able to get him. He lived in Pennsylvania so I had to fly there to get him.
Then I welcomed little Invidia who was born in Italy. She is a very special little girl of exceptional breeding which makes her so friendly and happy.
If you can, I hope you will find a way to have another beautiful cat in your life. We never forget our beloved ones over the rainbow bridge but we have so much lover to give them. It matters.
I wasn’t planning on getting another cat after mine passed, but my apartment manager texted me about a cat hanging out at the pool, and she hated calling animal control. I went out there, he came right to me, I carried him into my apartment, and he was the happiest cat ever. It was just meant to be. It’s obvious he had a home before, so I figured he must have been abandoned.
I have brought another wonderful cat in my life a rag doll Himalayan he is a beautiful baby the fur is like bunny fur so much easier for me to care for!! He is a very lovable breed HOWEVER the Norwegian was like a dog followed me everywhere greeted me at the door ect. This new kitty is still very young 6months so it will be awhile before he fully develops his personality!!! I had to get a kitty right away my heart was so broken I needed to bring a kitty in to take care of and help with the grief I felt!! After 18 years it is like losing a child!! Bringing a new kitty in has helped more than I could have imagined EVERYONE who loses a pet needs to get another right away, it is not the same of course BUT my goodness it helps with the grief immediately!!