Two are Better than One, Cats that is

Posted on May 1, 2024 by

35 Comments

First there was Tiger and Shadow, brothers in the flesh.

They came to us at the age of five, middle aged in cat years, from a Cat Hotel where they’d been dropped off when the owner could no longer keep them. (Yes, there are such things. Poor boys.)

When we learned of their plight, we welcomed them into our home, and they appreciated their new lodging. If there were ever two cats more bonded than these, I have not seen them.

They rejoiced in their newfound outdoor privileges, exploring the garden, stalking the birds and generally behaving like liberated felines.

Alas, Shadow was a sickly one and within the first year departed to the place where all kitties go, only they know where that is.

Then there was only Tiger, lonely we thought.

We may have been wrong.

In any case, we assumed it was so, and brought Benji home from Seattle Humane as a companion; I admit they had a rough start, with Benji coming out on top.

But they finally adjusted and learned to tolerate, if not love one another as brothers,

living side by side.

Which is all one could ask for.

I guess you could call them our #Pets, though it may be something more than that.

Sharing with Sunday Stills.

~ Susanne

Category: CatsTags: , , , , , , , ,

35 Comments on “Two are Better than One, Cats that is”

  1. I’m sorry one of the brothers passed, but the story ends so nice. They are beautiful cats. šŸˆā¤ļø

    • Thanks so much, John. It was very sad at the time, but I could tell Shadow wasn’t well. And we love having Benji in our family! šŸ™‚

  2. They certainly took time to settle, and ‘tolerate’ is a good choice of word, Susanne.ā€‚šŸ˜ø

    Best wishes, Pete.

    • Yes, it took quite some time! I love Benji so much, but despite the title of the post, two are better than one, only when you get them together as a bonded pair. Otherwise, it can be challenging to all involved!

  3. We had Dot for 5 years and then got Lia. (thinking Dot needed a buddy) I now think Dot was happy being an only dog, especially because Lia is so much more energetic and Dot doesn’t always want to play. But she tolerates her adopted sister. They are both from rescue centres.

    • I totally understand. Despite my title, two cats are only better than one if they come together as a bonded pair. I’m thinking when Tiger moves on (he’s 16) Benji will rule the roost alone.

      • I think I would go back to one as well. Although we love both of our girls to bits. We call them double trouble. We once had two black cats who were litter mates. They didn’t like each other and one bullied the other. Sheesh.

      • I love them both too and wouldn’t trade Benji for anything, though he brought a feistiness that Tiger still hasn’t learned to deal with. At least with Shadow and Tiger, there was a history established and the previous owner hoped they’d find a home together.

  6. Pingback: Sunday Stills: #Pets and #Kids Make Life Exciting! – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives

  7. What a sweet tribute to all your beautiful fur-babies, Susanne! At least Shadow spent a wonderful year with you and her sibling. Benji is the silly thing (like my Brodie) and probably gets his share of cat-eye rolls from Tiger. Great photography of all of them doing their kitty things.

    • Thanks, Terri! I never get tired of showcasing the boys! I was sad when we lost Shadow but happy that he got to spend his last days in a loving environment with his brother and enjoy the outdoors for the first time. Benji is definitely a pest to Tiger, but so much fun!

  8. I am glad they are friends. I love the quote, cats are like potato chips, you can’t have just one.

  9. I have a couple of rescue cats too. They get along “ok” but I think they realize they’re much better off together. Thanks for sharing your cuties.

    • Thank you. I love both of them but I think I’ll let Benji have the run of the place when it’s time for Tiger to depart. Unless he lets me know clearly he’d like another companion. šŸ˜ŗ

  11. I agree, but I am currently at the stage where I have yet to decide whether I start again with one when I move.

    • I understand. Two cats are more work. I’m thinking when Tiger moves on, Benji will be happy to be a solitary cat.

  12. I loved hearing the story of how your two boys came to live with you, although I’m sorry about Shadow’s short life

    • Thanks, Sarah. Shadow was such a sweet kitty, we were so sad to lose him. But we were happy he got to enjoy his new home with Tiger and experience the great outdoors at least for a while. And I can’t imagine life without Benji!

  13. We have an “only cat” for now, because Champie was so old when we lost his sweet companion Oley. We thought it might not be the best thing to introduce a new very young cat to the household who might totally dominate a 17-year-old cat. But it was always fun having two cats, when we had them both.

    • I agree. A younger cat brings a lot of energy, and challenges to an older cat. I think Tiger might have been happier without Benji. But I can’t imagine life without Benji, either! When Tiger moves on, I think we’ll let Benji have the place to himself.

  15. And that’s how I wound up with TWO big dogs when I thought my family was complete with seven cats. Someone abandoned them, a shepherd and a Border Collie, so devoted to each other that we didn’t even consider separating them to re home them. We had no idea that we were lacking until they came into our lives and the cats quickly taught them their place in the pecking order.

Categories
Follow Cats and Trails and Garden Tales on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,649 other subscribers
Posts by Month